McKenzie River Trip

This past weekend we were invited to come along on a camping trip by the Mckenzie river. Our friend's JD and Liz have been going for several years. The main goal of the trip is to go on an amazing 20 mile mt bike ride along the Mckenzie river that ends at Belknap hot springs. Along this ride is amazing views of Clear Lake, waterfalls, volcanic rock fields, and beautiful blue pools of water that are so crystal clear. The first night we camped at a place called Trailbridge campground. JD and Liz met up with us for the first night. We survived the frigid temperatures and rain by sitting in our camper till Meadow went to bed and then built a campfire so we could hang out and chat.

The next day, Liz, Meadow and I went on a beautiful hike around Clear Lake and Todd and JD did part of the mt. bike ride. We enjoyed the hot springs in the evening before heading back to the house that some other friend's, Tanya and Erik had rented for the weekend. Tanya and Erik have a four week old baby named Jack. I wish I had taken some cute pics of Meadow chatting with Jack. It was nice to have a house to utilize for cooking and hanging out in because it was a bit cold the next night as well. We were able to plug our camper in at an rv site and were nice and cozy with our heater on that night.

Our last day, Liz offered to watch Meadow for us so we could go on the ride together. Liz had shoulder surgery a few weeks back so she was still not able to mt. bike. At times, the ride was a bit over my head so I had to walk a bit and experienced some not so fun falls unto volcanic rock. But, I did enjoy the scenery and in the end, it was a beautiful day and I am glad I had the opportunity to experience the diverse geoligical landscape. It was a great weekend and I am already excited for next year's trip.

JD giving Meadow an airplane ride

Sahalie Falls

Meadow and I at Clear Lake

Self Portait of Liz and I
The "Fam" at Belknap Hot Springs
Todd and JD
Meadow loves to give high 5's
Camping the first night. We stayed in the camper on top of the hill

Todd and JD in their fashionable mt bike clothing and gear The beautiful fall foliage at Clear Lake.

Meadow is very excited because she can face forward now. She has hit the 20 pound mark with her clothes on. Go Meadow!

More camping pics
Liz and JD

Camping in October. It felt more like December. Note the winter jacket and pants. We were highly prepared for the cold weather. Once Meadow learned that her gloves really keep her hands warm, she was a lot happier. Meadow had a great time camping, as usual. She loves the outdoors and gets pretty grumpy when she has to stay indoors. I guess she is related to us so it does make sense.We were so glad the rain stopped so we could go outside and play.

My new favorite baby carrier

I finally splurged and purchased the ergo carrier. I wish I had done it months ago because this carrier kicks butt. We have a nice backpack, but it is really bulky and not practical for traveling and for when Meadow might like to walk and be carried on a walk. This carrier is so comfortable and I love how all the weight is carried on your hips instead of your back or one shoulder. Meadow loves it too. I am looking forward to my trip to California and hiking with Meadow in my new ergo carrier.

Halloween Dress Up

One of Todd's co-workers let us borrow some costumes for Halloween. Meadow surprised us and didn't mind trying on all the costumes. The Pumpkin one is definitely one of the favorites, but the ladybug will also be on hand in case she grows out of the pumpkin outfit by the end of the month.

You Can Change the World with Your Own Two Hands

You might be wondering why I have chosen this title for my post. To do so, I have to give you some background on some recent events. This past Saturday I met a father of two girls at a party at my friend's Liz and JD. After he was talking to Todd and I for awhile, it came up in conversation that his daughters attend Lynchview Elem. school. I facilitated a Campfire after school program there back in 2002. That year at Lynchview, I helped to complete a mural project at the school which began with a small asset/needs map that I helped the Campfire kids complete. What was striking for many of the kids who completed the asset/needs map, was the lack of color and pictures on the walls of their school. In discussing how the Campfire kids could address this need in their school, several ideas began to emerge. One child had an idea of trees, another handprints, and the the idea morphed to include having every student, teacher, and worker at the school place their handprint on a mural. Through some searching my director found a local artist who was willing to donate his time and paint four trees for each season of the year. After having some of the kids call around to local paint shops, we got the paint donated. This project was such a team effort and was so much fun to be a part of. I think it was hard for the teachers to say no to an idea that was originally developed by the kids. It took a lot of organization and planning and we were able to have all the classrooms put their handprint on the wall in shades of orange, brown, yellow, white, grey and green depending on the season. It was a beautiful mural when it was all completed. The Campfire kids added grass and flowers and butterflies to the bottom and we added the quote "You can change the world with your own two hands." by Ben Harper.

Well, the whole purpose of this post is to share that even six years later, the kids at Lynchview continue to love that mural. This father's girls still look at their hand prints that they put on the wall when they were in kindergarten. He said that the quote on the wall has been so inspiring to them and that they are learning to play the guitar because of Ben Harper's quote. It almost brought tears to my eyes because I was so happy that I pushed for that project to happen. There were many times where I didn't think it was going to happen. This experience just reminds me of how when you get the right group of people behind you and you are able to work together you can get so much done in this world. I have found that it can be so easy to be apathetic about all that is happening in this world and go with the status quo. But, how much more exciting and inspiring life can be when you work to make a difference. I hope that when the time is right I can be a part of another inspiring project, like the one at Lynchview.

I also have to give some props to Michelle Obama. During my Americorps year with Public Allies in Chicago, IL, I learned so much about how to engage with community members and how to bring people together for a common purpose. Michelle Obama was the director of that program a few years before I arrived on the scene. Although, she had moved on in her career, the work she completed in developing that program and her commitment to building community was still very present during my experience with Public Allies. I still feel so blessed for that experience in my life and can only feel positive things about where are country is going, if Michelle Obama is our next president's biggest supporter. I guess you can tell who I am voting for this November.

On a completely different note, thanks again Liz and JD for the awesome clambake and giving me some good material for blogging.

Minnesota Trip Part 3

After spending some quality time with family we drove back to Minneapolis to enjoy our last couple of days with our good friend's Jerri and Mark. The weather was beautiful so we took advantage and went on more nice walks and went frisbee golfing and saw Minnehaha Falls, which truly was pretty mini because of how dry it has been lately. It was such a fun trip, and nice to reminisce with Jerri about our lives growing up in NY. I think we both still can't believe that we are parents and are 30 years old. It doesn't seem that long ago that we were running around the fields in Central NY where we grew up, or walking around Andersonville, our neighborhood in Chicago. Our lives have changed so much, but we still have such a great friendship.
Okay, here are more pics........
Proud Papa Visiting a Rose Garden on our walk
The "expert" frisbee golfer

A precious Zoe picture
We wore Meadow out

Zoe's beautiful smile Action Shots

Minnesota Trip Part 2

While we were in Minnesota, we spent a few days traveling in the state so that we could see some of Todd's side of the family. His Mom has several relatives that live there, including her Mom. The first day we drove to the Morris to pick up Grandma Beaty on our way to Todd's Aunt Kris's house. It was great to be able to see Grandma Beaty's lovely apartment. At Kris and Phil's that evening we had a nice dinner and we were introduced to several family members. It was so nice to meet everyone in person besides just seeing pictures of Rita's side of the family. That evening I met two of Todd's aunts, four cousins and a fiance, and three second cousins. The next day we checked out the farm and had a nice day visiting before we ventured on to New London to see some more of the Fermoyle side. Meadow did a great job of napping between all of our locations.

After arriving in New London at Todd's Aunt Karen and Uncle Sig's, I was introduced to more cousins. We had another wonderful dinner and enjoyed the company of five of Todd's cousins, and I believe 8 of his second cousins came and went throughout the evening. It was amazing being able to meet so many family members in such a short time. Thanks to the Kloos and Holme families for hosting us.

These pictures are a little bit out of order, so it starts out with the New London part of the trip first. I also regret that we were not able to get a cousin picture with the Holme family while we had everybody there. We were too busy socializing.

Meadow fell asleep on the gator ride Sig Jr took us on. This was a pretty amazing feat because it was really bumpy.

Ben,Mallory and Amy in the background
On the gator ride around sig's property. For those who don't know what a gator(sp?)is, it is a 4x4 all terrain vehicle that is like a pick up truck, but the size of a golf cart. I hope that explanation gives it justice.
Beautiful hills that remind me of central NY
Sig and Todd in the front seat

Family Pic by all the corn on the Kloos farm. They farm over a 1,000 acres.

I love this picture. The farm equipment is just enormous and Meadow is still pretty tiny.
Uncle Phil showing Meadow the atv.
Aunt Kris giving Meadow a ride
Cousin Dani, Toni's fiance Jon, and Meadow snuggling in for a nap.

Meadow's great grandma Beatrice
Little country girl
She was waving to grandma Beaty on our walk. It was so precious

Grandma Beaty is way off in the distanceCousin Toni sharing her bunny that she won at a fair years ago.

Dani, Todd, Toni, and Holly
The whole crew. Toni and Jon are getting married next summer so we may be out there again for the big event.