Winter Hike at Maybury State Park...

We took our traditional winter hike at Maybury State Park last weekend. (15th February.) It was a lovely day with temperatures well above freezing, which meant that we didn't need heavy coats on this hike - despite the lingering snow clinging to the ground. Our hike took us to the highest point of Wayne County, Michigan, like Riaan and I did back in October. :)

Animal path through the forest.

Hiking along the ridge.

View towards a clearing in the woods.

The highest point of Wayne County. :)

Sunset Walk...

I love my early evening walks around our neighbourhood, especially when the skies are so pretty. :)

Eliza's Eighth Birthday...

Eliza closed out our birthday season with her eighth birthday on the 8th of February. It was her Crown or Golden birthday, and she felt really special throughout the day. She opened presents and cards from around the world, and later in the day enjoyed delicious coffee cupcakes (with coffee icing) for her birthday cake. A couple of days later I took her out for a celebratory ice-cream.  

You can see how much she has changed by clicking through to last year's birthday post. :)

The birthday girl with her birthday badge.

Opening presents with Anya.

Reading a card from Granny and Grandad in South Africa.

An artist's water colour pad from Grandma and Grandpa in Indiana.

She was really excited to receive Lego!

Building the set before church.

Ice-cream date with me.

Riaan's Lego Helm's Deep...

Riaan recreated another classic scene from The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers. It seems to be his favourite thing to do these days, after the Nazgul he built in October. 

Half of this is an official Lego set, but the continuing wall on the right is Riaan's own construction, complete with the little culvert under the wall - where the Uruk-hai place the explosive device that tears the wall apart. Watch the short video below to see the explosion!

A close up of Riaan's Helm's Deep wall.

This is so impressive! :)

My 42nd Birthday...

My birthday was on Thursday, 5th of February, and I had the day off work. We headed out to the Awake Cafe for a mid-morning birthday treat, and then ventured onwards to the Detroit Riverfront, where we had a quick walk. It was really rather cold, and so it wasn't long before we were on our way back to the car. I did enjoy seeing a couple of ships on the river, although I was frustrated not to have my proper camera with me on this day!

Our three blessings.

View towards Windsor, Ontario.

USCGC Neah Bay on ice patrol.

Canada Steamship Lines Frontenac awaiting an icebreaker escort on its route to Chicago.

View of the Detroit River, looking east.

Milliken State Park Lighthouse on a frigid day.

I love my family and their adventurous spirit!

Belle Isle Visit...

We visited Belle Island on a gorgeous, albeit chilly day a few weeks ago. We saw bald eagles, Canada geese, and many other different water birds out in the nice weather. There were also lots of ice-skaters and ice-hockey players enjoying the frozen ice on the small lakes and ponds of Belle Isle. 

Unfortunately, there was no shipping action on the Detroit River while we were there, but it was great to see all the thick pieces of ice, grinding and crunching along the water.

Detroit skyline across a partially-frozen Detroit River.

View towards Windsor, Ontario.

Family selfie on a frozen pond.

Walking across the snow-covered ice.

An opossum enjoying the milder temperatures.

Walking back from the William Livingstone Memorial Lighthouse.

Heading along a well-worn trail.

Riaan explores the river shore, with Peche Island in the background.

Ducks paddling in the cool water.

View towards the icy water of Lake St Clair.

Horizons meets Mercy Ships...

I met up with my friend Dan at a coffee shop for a work morning recently. Dan serves with Mercy Ships, while I work with Horizons International. It was a great time to share in fellowship while we both work with mission organisations that are advancing the gospel. :)