Monday 13 June 2011

A Day of Rest




I LOVE Sundays!  It is the one day of the week we can turn our back on the cares of the world and focus on what is truly important: our Savior, Jesus Christ, and our families!  It is the one day of the week we do not have to run around for scheduled appointments, shopping or sports practices.  In our house, it is a day for church services, naps, visiting, and family hikes.  What is there NOT to love?  Well, if you ask the kids they would tell you we could forgo the whole church bit, but this is where Derrick usually informs them that our household is not a democracy and, therefore, they have no say in the matter . . . tee heeJust one of the perks of being a parent!

Today after church, we headed home for our traditional Sunday meal, which consists of bacon, chocolate chip pancakes, and smoothies.  Again, there is no better day in the week than Sunday!  Unfortunately, due to a freezer mishap on Friday afternoon involving three children, an ice cream raid, and a door not being fully shut for oh, 14 hours, there were no berries or mango left so we had pink lemon aid and cherries.  Yum! 

Following our Sabbath Day Feast, we hit the trails for our family hike.  One of the best parts about living in the country is that we live a mere five minutes away from an ideal walking path through the woods.  Check this out:



Isn't it gorgeous?

This is our favourite hiking place because not only is the scenery beautiful but the company is fabulous!




Meet Charlie and Otis!  Charlie is the beagle puppy and Otis is the yellow lab mix.  They are Scout's bestest buddies in the whole world.  Their home is just before the hiking trail and they ALWAYS join us for our walks.  They are so funny!

The other thing I love about Sundays is the fact that my kids almost always kick off their "church" clothes as soon as we get home and hop into their jammies.  Avery decided that as long as he had his jacket on, then it was okay to wear his jammies on the walk.  I tend to agree with him.  He is so adorable!  The bucket is for gathering his treasures in!




Don't pajamas and rubber boots just melt your heart?




Elliot is built for speed so he always takes his bike.




He and the dogs are our scouts, and they go on the look out for trouble or big steamy piles of horse poop, which we came across a lot of (don't worry I restrained myself from taking those photos).


One of the neat things about our walks is how quiet everyone becomes.  Trust me, this is very odd for our family.  We are known to be a tad bit loud at times.  Well, that is everyone except for Mr. Level-Headed.  I guess the kids get it from me.  In fact, there was a boy I used to know who would not date me because I was too loud.  Can you imagine?  Well, his loss.




I just love our hikes!  It's an opportunity for each us to bask in the comfort of our thoughts and our beautiful surroundings, while enjoying the companionship of those we love and those we can be comfortably silent with.  There is nothing more sacred than family time!

In spite of the mosquitoes and black flies that were dining on us, we were determined to make it to the beaver dam so that the pups could go for a swim.



After watching Scouty for a few minutes, Charlie decided to join him:




Otis, the Alpha-male in the puppy brigade, decided not to take part in these shenanigans because he likes to stick pretty close to our very own Alpha-male, who decided not to hang around the pond too long because the flies seem to prefer unmoving targets.



All-in-all, it was a successful hiking trip.

Avery found some treasure:


Scouty fetched the stick:



And I got what  has become our annual photo on the rock:



We look distressed because a swarm of blood thirsty black flies were attacking us!

Here is us on the rock last year:



There truly is no better way to spend a Sunday afternoon!




If you don't believe me, just ask Scout:






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