Searching for Spring

Although Spring is firmly ensconced throughout most of the country, here in the Frigid North, the Grand Dame of Hope is just beginning to push her skirts through the door.

(Poetic, huh?  No?  Be quiet.  My blog.  Mine.)

Anyway, with the advent of warmer weather and (slightly) sunny days, a friend of mine (also named Rachel) and I and all our children went on a lovely excursion through the woods.

We were well prepared with the necessities like water, backpack for treasures found, and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.

We looked for signs of spring, and had fun spotting seed pods, lichen, fungus, moss, and birds.

My friend Rachel brought along her bird guide books (only a truly devoted mother lugs around books on a hike) so that we could identify what birds were were able to spot (i.e. what birds weren't frightened away by our excessively noisy children).

Please notice the sign. 

It says "No Trespassing", but Gabe can't read yet.

We all had such a nice time, it was hard to turn around and head back to the car.  Some of us took it harder than others . . . .