Strangely enough, our first day of winter saw temperatures in the 70s. We planned a trip to Caledon and I cast on a knitting project to take along. The boys ran ahead, leaving Jonny and I with our youngest four: Jonny wearing Job, Silas in a stroller. As I feared would be the case, I am so far unable to wear Job without physical consequences so I try not to. Otherwise I would be the one carrying him. Thankfully, Jonny isn’t afraid to wear a baby wrap. Not at all. When we finally reached the shore of the river, Seth confessed that he was worried that they might get in trouble for having raced ahead of us so far. Not so worried that it stopped him, I laughed. But we’ve been visiting this park for many years, and he, Keats, and Gabe are certainly old enough. Funny the things he worries about; it never occurred to me to be upset with him for racing so far ahead.
The kids built “houses” on the beach, Gabe found a big empty turtle shell, I did some knitting, and took a photo of some strangers and their dog, emailing it to them later. Job slept for awhile in the stroller and we joked that we might ought to bring the stroller in the house since he slept so well in it. As has become our tradition, we waited until dark to start the almost two mile trek back to our van. There’s something fantastic about walking through the woods at night. A little scary, but there is a safety felt in the sheer number of us all walking together. The kids bring headlamps, but we all agree that it is most fun to leave them turned off. We ended the night picking up Chinese food from our favorite place across town. The little ones spent the last portion of the drive home crying and complaining and Jonny said, “All of our trips end in tears. I guess they just get tired.” I guess they do. It doesn’t stop us from going again and again. There is a peacefulness that occurs when we are outdoors visiting these places we love, a peacefulness that rarely exists when we’re all in this little house, in each others’ space. And now, little Job has visited three of our favorite places. If we can manage a trip to Back Creek next summer, that will be all four. Lucky baby, and he doesn’t even know it.
(Larkspur is wearing this sweater, and Beatrix is wearing this one.)
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Lovely family photos on the beach! I saw that “unhappy face” from my 18 m old this morning… How big is Job now? Looks like he is doing well. Our daughter continues to be very petite. (sjn821 on Rav)
Skerry christmas Ginny! I hope you have a happy healthy wonderful christmas and new year 🙂 thank you for sharing with us slices of your days thru your camera lens.
Hi Ginny, My sister always said with young ones, the success of the trip is always based on the amount of tears at the end. She always knew a zoo trip was successful if her little ones were falling apart on the way to the car. Merry Christmas, Lou Anne
such lovely photographs ~ holiday blessings to you & your family!
My goodness Job has grown so much since I last stopped by your blog! He’s such a cute little baby 🙂 I love looking at your photos, they are always so “real” and peaceful 🙂
Merry Christmas!
Sarah xo
“There is a peacefulness that occurs when we are outdoors visiting these places”, such lovely words in this post! Thank you for sharing your life with us.
the picture of your big boy holding little Job is so precious….. what a handsome young man he is becoming!
I absolutely love those photos of all your beautiful kids on the beach. Yes I agree, tiredness does make children cranky and my 12 yr old daughter still gets like that if she doesnt have enough sleep.
Just browsed the beautiful photos and the read the comments. Hard to believe it’s Winter and so cold. Christmas Eve here on the Mornington Peninsula south of Melbourne Australia and it’s blue skies, sunshine, jacaranda trees in flower, white beaches and mango chutney simmering on the stove. Merry Christmas to you Ginny and family!
That delicious photo of chubby baby Job’s yummy cheeks–the one on his Daddy’s shoulder? Quite possibly the reason cameras were invented.
I truly enjoyed the photos is this post! Your children are beautiful, and your pictures seem to capture their personalities so well. I love how relaxed Gabe looks holding baby Job…so sweet!
I am little envious those of our 70 degree weather…we are covered in ice right now.
You make the most beautiful pictures….and babies.
I LOVE seeing your pictures. Your blog is really special. The pictures of your girls just squeeze my heart…they are timeless. Your family is beautiful. Thanks again for doing what you do!
Merry Christmas, Foreman family! What a treat you’ve given us in sharing your day out. I love the pictures of the kids. MAybe in 2014 you and Jonny could start being in those photos too? Lark’s so pretty. She;s doing the growing at the moment.
The images of your children together are beautiful. They look so at peace with nature. I wish more children looked like that these days (if you can’t tell, I’m fighting consumerism in this house!)
I love seeing all your beautiful, smiling faces.
Merry Christmas Ginny.
love the photos of all the kids together. <3 such a beautiful bunch of children.
have a wonderful christmas. <3
What a beautiful family!!
Honestly the most beautiful family photos ever! The fun you guys have is the best. Lucky, lucky kids. And parents!
Oh such precious-ness! Your family is so beautiful! You look amazing knitting there so peacefully! We are expecting our fifth baby— this time a girl! And so excited to be knitting pink! Lovely pictures and happy Winter to your beautiful family!
Blessings,
Samantha Disch {Wild Maple Wool}
Lovely photos, Ginny. Sweet ones of the girls in their Sunday Sweaters. And the group photo is great-Gabe is relaxed holding little Job! Somehow, I think Job senses what a lucky and loved little boy he is. Xxxxxxxxxxx
beautiful pictures. very peaceful. have a Glorious Christmas.
this post made me smile. getting out and having a bit of space is good for keeping the peace. i think we are going to have to plan a couple of day trips over the next 2 weeks. thank you for the inspiration.
beautiful ….
Gabe is so handsome! They all are.
My 8 year-old had Larkspur’s dress when she was 3. We also just got a dress for her that Larkspur has. I was sitting next to her on the couch and had this really odd feeling of dejà vu! Strange to think I was sitting next to a girl I’ve never met, who lives thousands of miles away.
I do love her boots and although I probably won’t be able to find them here, could you tell me where they are from?
I bought them on Zulily. They are by Keen. 🙂
I love the picture of all your children. So beautiful! I am happy for you that you have places you can go to feel peaceful with the whole family.
I’m sure you’ve answered this before but…what kind of wrap is are using with Job?
It’s a sleepy wrap, although I don’t think they are called that anymore. I think the name changed to Bobawrap? It’s similar to a Moby wrap, but stretchier maybe?
what chinese place do you like?!?
We like Dragon Inn over in the Kmart shopping center. My favorite is actually the braised tofu, and I never eat tofu anymore!
Oooh, good to know. I have never even seen or heard of that place! I haven’t yet found a replacement for the place that closed by Giant. That was sad. But this gives me hope.
What a wonderful first day of winter. A pleasant surprise, I think, for your family to get to spend it outside so comfortably. Thank you for sharing your days with us. And thank you so for much for talking about the crying on the way home. Most of our adventures seem to end that way, too.
Merry Christmas to you and your family!
Looks like it was a wonderful day. I’m ready to get in some outside time myself today, although it’s going to take considerably warmer clothes. 🙂
Beautiful, beautiful pictures of a day at the beach. How I would love to be there right now as I look out at the ice coating everything in sight in my neighborhood.
Thank you so much, Ginny, for your lovely blog! I so enjoy each new chapter in your family life.
Wishing your family Christmas blessings and all the best in the new year.
Annie
Your comment about the stroller reminded me that one of my 5 children slept in the stroller so well that we did keep it in the house for a season. The older kids would push him around until he fell asleep, then we would park it by the dryer so the sound would muffle out the sounds in the house.