Spring Arrives (yes, I'm a few months behind)

I can't believe it's been so long since I last posted a blog! So this one takes us from snow (unfortunately, one of the few snowy days we had this winter) at the beginning of March, through the welcoming of spring at the end of March.

Orion was preparing for our journey to Wisconsin long before we actually took the trip. He continually got his fishing equipment out to make sure it was in order for months in advance of our trip.

Orion loves to make Lego creatures and give them as gifts.

This crabby-looking fellow sat in our kitchen for months before I asked him to take it back and return the pieces to his collection.

The only way he would do that was if I took pictures of it first to preserve it forever. : )

The beginnings of spring are arriving! Redbud trees are one of my favorites!

And the hostas. Hostas always entrap me when I have my camera with me.

They just have such beautiful greens and such lovely shapes to the leaves as they are in the first few days of life above ground again.

These redbud flowers are a bit more vibrant than the first ones. The purples and pinks of the delicate flowers are more saturated and more pleasing to my eyes.

Maebelle completed her last year of elementary school at the end of May. So I have taken a few more pictures than normal of her. They're to come very soon.

Also, we took a wonderful week-long vacation to Somo Lake recently, so hopefully I can get those up before winter! ; )

More Birthday and More Wetlands

The last of the birthdays for the Hamlin Holiday season - Zac's.

Zac was so amused by the drawings on the outside of his gift, he took a picture of it to share right away! : )

Good work Orion!

Orion's card, below, was a hit!

Oh, and pandas are real.

For the inside of the package, Maebelle, Orion and myself each drew a portion of an owl. Orion drew the owl body and scene around it, which is what Zac is looking at below. Orion's was sketched in pencil and included a mouse in the owl's claw and evergreen trees in the background.

Maebelle drew the middle, which was half of one wing spread out. Hers was very colorful and geometric. This is where we attached the actual gift.

I drew the end of the wing that Maebelle had begun. Mine was a colored pencil drawing that was intended to be somewhat lifelike. Don't know if I accomplished that with my limited drawing skills, but it worked.

It was really fun to create the owl book-thing that held the gift. The actual gift, which was just as fun to obtain, was the stained glass owl feather.

We had it made for Zac by #thenishglass, a local glass artist here in the Lawrence area. Zac had admired some of his work at a local boutique. However once I got there to make a purchase, they were no longer carrying consignment work.

The lovely woman at the store that day told me who the artist was and I reached out to him directly. He was so great to work with. And he did a FABULOUS job! If you ever need unique stained glass piece for a reasonable price, check him out: #thenishglass.

Maebelle found a gift for Zac in addition to what we did for him as a family.

A nice tiger's eye pendulum.

Aaaaaannnnddd, here's the feather!

And our dirty screen. : )

Oh, this sweet, sweet boy.

The green of this plant is so beautifully vivid.

It came from my Grandma and Grandpa's house. And now sits on our back porch (when it's not 30 degrees out) on a cute little bistro set we have from them.

One of the most comfy spots in our house now:

Back to the wetlands.

Every weekend.

We found a new spot to begin our wetland journeys. This path provides a grassy, treed walk, with little to no wind, as opposed to the open watery walks we had been taking.

I could stay in this place forever. You can hear the water bubbling from the below spot.

It's just so magical.

Peace

Over the Winter

Well, hello there, sweet puppy!

Maebelle took this one:

She's getting pretty good!

This is the night of Maebelle's birthday. 

11, people. Can you believe that? 11?!?

She got a new phone, which was much needed. And she was SUPER excited about it!

Oh...my...

The light in winter is so much more fun than summer...

So sparkly.

These were taken back in December.

At the Wetlands. Do you use the Wetlands? 

We love them! Definitely get lots of exercise and much needed fresh air out there. Helps relieve the stresses of life.

Up next is New Year's Eve at the Anderson's. Chocolate fondu. Yum!!!

And check out this beauty my sweet, sweet husband found for me. It's amethyst dipped in copper. So LOVELY!

Not the best light for it or for spoons below, but it is what it is. And it was a wonderful night!

Orion's birthday evening is next. He loved the card Zac chose for him.

And apparently Zac was pleased that he liked it. : )

Two digits! Both kids!

Time is going so quickly. This (and other recent happenings) are a reminder that I (we, really) need to enjoy and get the most out of every moment. EVERY moment!

Maebelle received these cute little Paperwhites for her birthday from my mom.

I love that my mom has enjoyed giving us flowers and plants to me for the last 10-15 years, but for Maebelle, just the last couple of years. I hope it continues!

The Amaryllis she gave me for Christmas is blooming now and it's a real treat. Bright red blooms with a white stripe. I should take some pictures of it!

Lastly, look how tall this puppy is. It's unbelievable! He's significantly taller than Maebelle!

So funny to see him all stretched out like this. : )

Peace