Every Year Starts With a Hike

Happy 2012! Our tradition is that every year on the first day, we go on a family hike. This year, Christian had the idea to try a new one, so after sleeping in late and having a big breakfast, we started out to find a trail head up Mt. Tuam. After a long drive down a windy, forested road, failed attempts to find the beginning of the trail, and four car sick kids, we decided to make our own way up the mountain. We found what looked like an old road and started up.

About 45 minutes into our hike, the road came to what looked like an old stable and the road abruptly stopped. This is where this picture below was taken and where we decided to be brave for forge our own trail up the mountain.

This meant climbing a very steep, leaf covered ridge, that was very slippy. I was having stomach problems and wasn't sure it was a good idea. I thought there was no way Abby would make it up. But her brothers and our international student, (Annika) forged ahead and she joined them enthusiastically! Christian and I had to dig deep to keep up with them.
Once we made it past the tree line, we quickly saw that our efforts were to be rewarded with an incredible view!
Our little "billy goats" kept wanting to climb higher until finally we had to tell them to stop as we knew we were going to start loosing light, and without a flash light (yah, we hike real prepared!), we'd never find our way down to the van again. It is so satisfying to me to watch and listen to my children love to explore and then to just marvel at the creation of God around them and not want to leave that beauty.We are truly blessed to have been able to start 2012 like this and to live in a place where creation is so breathtaking.

We had a blast sliding down the leaf covered ridge back to the road and made it back just before we lost all light. It was very fun, and just a bit risky :)


I always start a new year with anticipation about what adventures God has planned for our family. I know that not all of it will be easy, but there is just a fresh feeling to it, and above all I know that God is with us and that we are living to follow Him.