May was a relatively quiet month for us.  To start of the month we attended a Boy Scout Hike on Mother's day, afterwhich we went to my favorite place for dinner.

We started our hike at a Historic Plank house that sits on a wildlife refuge. 

After visiting the Plank House we started our "Geo Hike".  We followed coridinates that took us to different sites on the refuge where we studied the biology of the flora and fauna.  This is a 200 year old Oak tree!!

This one is 400 years old!

This is the view from my Mother's day dinner.  It was so nice to relax and enjoy a good dinner with my kids, I am really starting to appreciate the young adults they are becoming!

The begining of the month brought us some nice weather and we spent a lot of time outdoors at different parks.

It also afforded us the opportunity to catch up on some much needed yard work.  Thankfully my brother is always willing to lend a hand for the bigger jobs.  Here he is helping us cut down some dead trees, trying carefully not to demolish Gregory's chicken coop.  Beren loved every minute of this day following his uncle around and pitching in.

This is our favorite park in the area.  It covers quite a few acres of very wooded area, and is right next to the river.  I just love the evergreens in the background.

This is the trail at the same park, that we walked after playing at the playground.

Here is a view of the river and trees at my favorite spot in the park.  I literally could sit on this bench for hours.  I am definately a Pacific Northwest Girl through and through!!

Beren completed a family tree documenting his ancestrial connection to Charlamange, for history this month.  He is very fascinated by the stories of his royal lineage.

We were able to visit a fire truck demonstration.  As you can imagine Beren was in heaven climbing around inside the truck asking a million questions.

Beren attended "Lego" night at the library.  Each month they challenge the kids to build something according to a theme, this night was "Something with Wheels".  He can't wait till the next one.

Eris is completely and utterly obsessed with Lion King.  So when a local community theater was putting on a play inspired by "Lion King" I couldn't wait to take her.  It was so much fun, I really love exposing the kids to the arts.

Speaking of art, Eris started a new art class this month.  It is a more traditional classic art theory and she is really in her element.  She just wants to go everyday, all day.  I am really pleased to see her find something that stirs this kind of passion in her.  She has a very good idea of what direction her future holds and I just think that is a real gift.  I want nothing more than to see my children find and follow their passions in life.

Our neigbors brought home a horse.  We all love watching him from the porch and walking out to pet him.  We also wish he was ours!

To finish off the month Beren crossed over from Wolf Rank to Bear Rank in Cubscouts.  The Cubscouts take their ceremonies very seriously and Beren was definately in awe of the experience and I'm sure he will remember it forever!

Eating the Flesh of the Bear.

Drinking the Blood of the Bear.

Welcome to the Brotherhood of the Bear!

Den #1 Bears.

That's about it for spring.  We are looking forward to a summer that is quickly filling up with fun and exciting activities!