Into the Woods

We had a mini adventure into the woods two weekends ago to see the Aspen turning for the first time since we've lived here. Last year I wasn't brave enough to go up the winding dirt road whilst pregnant and with Brett out of the country, and the year before that he was in the field for training. It was our second attempt that weekend after we bailed before we even got out of the city due to bad attitudes and an over tired baby. You win some, you lose some, but I wasn't about to forego this quickly closing window of opportunity due to a car full of hangry kids. 

The second time we got snacks and left early enough to not feel as rushed before the light faded and I brought our Ergo to make sure Smith had a better time. He's moved into that phase where if I give him to Brett and walk to the kitchen to start dinner he feels a little abandoned. That bottom lip quivers and it's suddenly alligator tears and the saddest sounds coming from his red little face! I still don't wear him all day but it's usually much more enjoyable when we're out and about for me to have him in a sling or wrap of some sort. 

The kids and Brett climbed around on some fun rock formations and then I hiked up a hill to look out over some large boulders and couldn't get over how many different colors made up our surroundings. It was just spectacular.

We only stayed for a bit as the sun was setting and we didn't want to get stuck on the scary, dirt road after dark but it felt like a major accomplishment getting to check something off of our Colorado bucket list.

Sebastian asked if we could do that kind of thing every weekend and I was reminded again that the energy it takes to get five people out of the house and into a car we've outgrown to go somewhere we've never been is usually always worth it-fussing and all. Memories are made and horizons are expanded. Living so close to the mountains has given us all a taste for the great outdoors that we didn't have the first time we lived in Missouri so I'm eager to discover all that the Ozarks has to offer all over again. 

Have you had a chance to get out into nature as the seasons are shifting?

-Rachel