Go take a hike!

In fact, we took two of them.

Last week, I had mentioned that I took the kids on a hike on that previous Saturday.  And then the very next day, my Friend, Melissa asked me to go on another one.

These are some of the photos from those two days.  First, Saturday and then on to Sunday with Melissa and her crew.

I give strict orders to my kids, when they turn six or seven, not to smile at me until those teeth grow back in.  And this photo should explain why.

See, doesn't he look better with his mouth closed?

Curly, Moe and Larry

Don't ask me why she's looking so sad.  I allow her to smile now.

"Walking on Sunshine"

This is now one of my favorite photos ever.  Being "asked to leave" Catholic school was the best thing that could have happened to Johnny.  I just didn't know it at the time.  In his new school, where there are thousands of kids, he's found his own group and is allowed to be himself for the most part.  John can't handle other folk's ideas of the way things need to be.  And to see him play with Claire, joyfully, is beyond anything that I could have ever hoped for in him.

And I think, with him being allowed to express himself, it is bringing him out of his depression.  I don't want to jinx anything but this has been a wonderful year for him.  Full of smiles!

Getting tired of me taking his picture.

Don't worry kids, we'll do this again some day.

Like the very next day!

Melissa

Melissa and I, both, have very small houses.  So when we get together and all of our kids are with us, it's usually outside where the kids can run and go nuts.  And where I'm not yelling at them.

And not only did we have our crew, but Johnny's friend, Darius, came out with us.

We like him.  He's funny!

Scarlet and Darius

Claire and Isabella

A lot of my photos came out blurry.  I'm a lazy photographer and usually keep my camera on Auto.  But I met an actual photographer who is forcing me not to be so lazy and to work on Manual.  So for this past month, it's all I've been doing.  I'm a slow learner and so this process isn't easy for me.  But I guess I have to grow up sometime.

Awe, I heart you too little Salamander dude. 

John and Amias

Scarlet, Claire and Isabella

Scarlet and her Mama, my Friend Melissa(with a sassy new Do!)

And that's it!  Except now I'm going to make you sit through a video.  If you saw this one last year, you may be excused.  But the rest of you have to watch it if you want credit.  It counts for 40% of your grade.  Around this same time last year, Melissa and I did a similar walk.  I hope you enjoy it.

Your Friend, m.
p.s.  I'll have you know that I didn't blog this weekend.  It felt so good not thinking about it.