Robinson Lake

A few weeks ago on a normal Sunday, a friend we ran into in town told us about a hike he had been on the day before. It was a beautiful day and we had nothing on the agenda, so we went looking for this hiking trail!

We drove north on Hwy 95 from Bonners Ferry. The drive itself is so beautiful! This section of 95 is part of the Wild Horse Trail Scenic Byway and the International Selkirk Loop. After about 25 miles, we came to Robinson Lake and Campground. It looked promising, so we parked and started walking around.

We found a trail in the forest and followed it as it meandered by Gillon Creek.

We walked about a mile and a half before finding a quiet spot and letting the boys do what boys will do around creeks.

There was lots of rock throwing and leaf-boat races. Jonathan helped guide the boats through a rocky spot as they kept getting stuck. I'm truly surprised he didn't get wet!

This guy and I enjoyed hanging out, watching our kids, and looking at this:

At times like these, we're so so glad we moved here!

We followed another trail back to the campground. When the boys saw a fallen log over the creek that made a perfect bridge, they all had to try it. I don't want to admit how nervous I was for them! They all did great! No one fell or freaked out. Josiah got a little help from his daddy, but I couldn't even watch! #boymom

After that nerve-wracking experience (honestly, I was the only one with a case of nerves!), we headed back to the lake to do some faux fishing and more leaf-boats. Actually, Jared carried a huge chunk of bark through half of the hike and we found pinecones and rocks to be passengers.

I was happy to have a bench to sit on and this beautiful view!

I think Robinson Lake Campground is next on our list of places to camp. But this very pregnant lady isn't camping anywhere for awhile!

After we left Robinson Lake, we drove the remaining 5 miles or so up to the Canadian Border. You know, just to say we'd been there. We currently don't have passports so we can't venture across the border, but we'd like to one day!

Hope you enjoyed this outing with us!

Etsy Favorites: Baby Girl Edition

You all know I have everything baby girl on my brain. It's just so fun and exciting! Less than 7 weeks until we get to meet our baby girl! Go here for my latest pregnancy update.

I was given an Etsy gift card for my birthday. While I'm planning to get something for me, I couldn't help but browse through some of the adorable baby girl things they have available. And why not share it with you?

Each picture is sourced to the Etsy shop involved in the print under the picture.

Here are 12 of my favorite things, all in a color scheme too!

Wouldn't this bloomer and headband set be adorable for that newborn photo shoot? Baby laying on her tummy, legs tucked under her, hands under her head, asleep. Totally cute.

You'd need these age blocks for on-going photo shoots too. I imagine an older baby would want to play with the blocks, but that would be cute too!

Your older baby needs this dress too. Maybe a 1st birthday?

These handmade leather mary janes will get lots of use, not just for photo shoots!

My babies have only had fuzz on their heads, so I'm planning to use plenty of headbands. I like how simple this one is.

Of course headbands and hair bows need organizing. This display almost doubles as art!

Speaking of art, how about this monogram? Just paint it one of your nursery colors.

Or do the whole alphabet! Have you seen that baby shower activity on Pinterest? Buy a set of these and scrap book papers, bows, and embellishments in the nursery colors, then have everyone at the party decorate one letter. So cute!

Of course there's crib bedding to consider. This set is beautifully made. I'm not wealthy enough to spend quite so much on something that's going to get washed repeatedly though.

This ribbon mobile would be fun to create! I like how it has so many different textures. Super cute over a changing table!

Baby needs a sweet little ribbon blankie. This one with the ribbons should keep her attention longer.

I love this idea and might have to take up quilt making to see it happen! It's a memory quilt with some of baby's cutest/favorite shirts, dresses or blankets. What a sweet idea!

Pregnancy #4: 32 Weeks

We got to see more pictures of our 4th little sweetie a couple weeks ago! We're so thankful everything looks healthy and normal. The technician even said she looks like her brothers. Aw!

Today is actually the last day of Week 32. Time is flying! I do feel like I'm starting to slow down and I have to ration my energy.

I'm still walking, but I've cut back to 1.5 miles 5 days a week. So far that's been easy to do, but I'm glad to have a goal set and the accountability of reporting how it's going here on my blog, or I'd find every excuse to not go!

In the last month it's officially become fall, we've enjoyed a few family outings, I turned 40, and my prenatal visits are up to twice a month. Everything looks great though, so we're thankful.

Some kind ladies from our church went together and bought us a beautiful white crib and matching changing table! I just love it! The current nursery is super tiny, so we had to move the dresser we had in there out to the mudroom. It's holding hats and scarves and things and will be moved back into baby's room in our next house. For now, there's a huge built in closet with drawers and plenty of room for storage in the nursery.

There's also a baby shower scheduled, hosted by more ladies at our church! I'm so glad to be welcomed by these ladies and hope I can make some real friends. Moving to a new area is always hard in that regard!

Baby's Auntie is making a mobile like this for her! I'm so excited! The butterfly punch is detailed and so pretty with the different scrapbook papers. It's going to be so adorable above the crib!

Our boys are excited to meet their sister! Poor things have no idea how much their lives will be interrupted with a newborn around! I'm so thankful for Grandmas who will be with us for several weeks, plus Gary practically works from home. We'll just stick close to home, rest a lot, and stay cozy and warm together.

Ok, so notice how the bump has grown? Check out Week 29 compared to 32! I guess that's a good thing, right? (And isn't it silly how my face is a totally different color in each of the pictures below? I guess photo edits and filters do make a difference!)

Thanks for reading! Only a couple more of these updates to go!

Ross Creek Cedars

We live at the tippy top of Idaho, and if you remember geography at all, you know the northern half of the state is very narrow. We're on the eastern edge of it, just 10 miles or so from the Montana border.

A few weeks ago we took the long way home from church. It added about 30 miles to the drive but we got to see some spectacular Montana country! It's even more wild and rural than the part of Idaho we live in.

We had planned to find somewhere to stop and take a hike, so after driving in several potential areas and getting turned around by long gravel roads to nowhere, or signs warning of fires (which we could see), we came across Ross Creek Cedars.

The weather was cool and refreshing and it felt good to be outside walking around after a day of sitting. We explored the creek and took a walk through the cedar forest.

It was less than two miles so we looped around a little bit extra so I could get my #walk365 mileage in, and because it was fun!

The hike is interactive and it seemed like visitors were encouraged to climb on and in and under and through the giant trees!

And the creek bed had so many of these rock towers! It was an incredible 3D feeling that the pictures simply miss.

We loved being at Ross Creek Cedars and are sure to return. I'd like to go in the spring to see if the creek gets full!

Thanks for stopping by!