Twelve and Under, Part One

Mrs. Beaver:

While we were on vacation on Lake Superior's shore, I took advantage of the beautiful scenery and the amazing early autumn weather to take a bunch of pictures of our children whom we currently label our "12-and-under" crowd (taking the term from restaurant menus).

Mr. Beaver and I can't believe we have only four kiddos left who aren't yet teens. We're saddened a bit because we love parenting little ones. While a young child will most likely be the first to cause a major spill, he'll also be the one to say something so cute that the whole family gets a rejuvenating laugh. While a young child is the one who has to be retrained for the 1,000th time how to neatly make a bed, she's also the first to do something so silly that your day is graced with mirth. Young children are such a gift from God! They still see the world with awe and their wonder is contagious.

Mr. Beaver and I have heard people say they're relieved to be empty nesters. Although the two of us are the right age to have an empty nest, we feel just the opposite. We're happy to still have our home filled with the lively energy and laughter of little ones.

Some of the shoots here were very purposeful, like the one directly below, and a few are just snapshots of the fun we had during our North Shore "photo shoot."

Although 7-year-old Oksana (right) never uttered a word of complaint as I took hundreds of pictures (one of the secrets of getting a few good shots), this photo speaks volumes! Bless her heart, she stayed good-natured through the whole session (as did the other three kiddos).

After we'd already taken plenty of pictures we came upon a lawn game, set up near the hotel's lobby. Getting to play this was a fun reward for these patient kiddos.

A benefit I enjoy when I photograph our kids is being reminded in a tangible way just how blessed I am as a mother. It is a very good, generous Father who has given me the privilege of parenting these four former orphans who make up our precious "12-and-under" crowd. I am forever grateful to my God.

The Art of Ice

Yesterday we visited another favorite place on the North Shore--Temperance River State Park. In the photo below it looks a bit like the first state park we visited early in the week.

The difference is that this state park has an easily accessible

beach filled with great rocks for hurling into the lake.

Our rock throwers, Alexander and Jaynie, were quite happy to give their throwing arms a workout.

Oksana enjoyed crawling around on the gravel. Her delight in new experiences is a joy to watch.

After a full life in an orphanage, everything is fresh. The things she sees have texture she's never been able to explore. All five senses are stimulated. The world is new, and she loves the opportunity to investigate it.

The rest of us began exploring the area around the gravel beach.

We quickly figured out was there was a layer of ice under the few inches of snow we were trudging through.

Several of us took feet-flying falls as a way of confirming this conclusion.

Once we became aware of the ice, and its danger

 I carefully moved close to the water's edge to

appreciate the beauty of God's handiwork there.

While I was capturing God's artwork with our camera, the others were exploring the large rocks nearby.

Tatiana found a very long icicle all her own.

Meanwhile, Natasha found a sun baked hideaway in a corner of one of the giant boulders

It was a bit warmer today but still only about 20 degrees.



A few of the girls climbed to the top of the rocks.

 

Daria pleased with her the results
of struggling up the rocks.

We have always loved traveling together, but there is a bitter sweetness to this tri
 knowing that this is the last time "just" the 14 of us will be together.
Good thing we're concentrating on gaining Aaron as a wonderful son,
rather than allowing ourselves to entertain thoughts of losing Tessa!

When our family members started huddling together for warmth...

...we knew it was time to head "home."

I asked my family for just enough time to capture some photos of ice-encapsulated bushes.

God's art work is stunning! He is majestic, and that majesty extends to His creation!

God's Handiwork

Mrs. Beaver:

If you saw our last post, the photo just below may look familiar. There we used it to demonstrate the endless beauty possible in a marriage or family when they love one another God's way.

Here, I use the photo to demonstrate the stunning beauty of the area where we hiked yesterday. This was the view that greeted us as we began our favorite North Shore hike to Shovel Point in Tettegouche State Park. The hike is a relatively short and easy walk as hikes go, but the scenery all along the way is nearly unbelievable.

Our family has traveled to the North Shore so many times, that this first trip for Daria, Alexander and Oksana is one of those "firsts" that is part of moving into our family's "culture." Going on the Shovel Point hike is also a sweet "first" because every time that we have traveled up here we have hiked this trail.

Our newest polar bears seemed to really enjoy the experience, even with a temperature of 9 degrees.

As they always seem to, our other kiddos enjoyed the hike also.

We stumbled upon a spot on the trail where the snow had fallen in just the right way on a grove of pine trees to look as though it were straight out of the first "Narnia" movie. We searched for a lamp post without success. A couple of the kids even backed into the grove of trees hoping to find a wardrobe. Of course they didn't find that either, but it made for a great photo op for the me as they reappeared out of the Narnia-like woods.

About half-way along the hike there is a wooden platform built by the park service over an outcropping of rocks. The view from there is always worthy of pause. The view also provides the excuse we're in need of to catch our breath after climbing a long, long flight of stairs to reach that point.

Daria and her new Papa chatted on the platform as we rested.

Just before we reached the hike's goal--Shovel Point--we emerged from what had been a short stint in the woods to a vast open view of the world's largest fresh water lake.

Daria threw open her arms in awe, and told us how very happy she was to be on this hike seeing something like this for the first time. Since she entered the orphanage three years ago after her Babushka could no longer care for her, Daria's life has consisted of the four walls of the institution with occasional forays into the small town that housed the orphanage.

Our precious 15-year-old then dropped to her knees in the snow in front of her and spread out to full length, reveling in the moment.

Just beyond where all this took place, lies Shovel Point. A wooden platform allows for great views of Lake Superior in two directions.

However, what amazed us on this visit was the ice that coated everything in the vicinity. The thick blanket was windblown sideways, as you can see from these ice cycles on the railing. We quickly realized that this wasn't ice from freezing rain; it was way too thick for us to come to that conclusion. This ice had been water in the lake until a mighty wind lifted it 25 feet upwards. We were in awe!

Notice the pine tree just to the left of center in the photo below.

We marveled at God's amazing handiwork.

Speedy loved this bit of ice-covered pine he found that had frozen into the shape of a cross.

All in all, the hike was a great hit with all. We thank God for the opportunity!