Merry Christmas From the Silacks!

Some holiday art, from our family to yours. 
Merry Christmas, Everyone!

By Elinor Rose Silack (Almost 3)

By Evan Samuel Silack (Age 5)

By Stephen Michael Silack

By Alison May Silack

On Love and Fear (A Letter to Self)

They, the pretty sparkly ones with the plump hearts, let them love you. More importantly, love them. Love them the way you want to be loved, and let that love fill you up, make your heart plump, too.

They, whose passion and wonder far exceed their tiny forms, be with them. Be like them. Allow their passion and wonder to fill your soul and color your perception. Hold them close, then let them fly. Perhaps doing so will help you to find your own wings as well.

He, who loves you with all his heart, let him. Believe in that love, know that you are worthy of it, and return it, despite his flaws. Goodness knows you too have flaws.

She, whose form you inhabit, please forgive her. She is human, and as such, imperfect. That is okay; let her be. Let her smile; let her shine. The heavy is never so heavy that it cannot be lifted. There are hands (and hearts) here to help. Fear not.

October & November, Instagram Style

Stephen and I finally gave in and bought iPhones last month. Since then, I've been having a bit o' fun with a little app called Instagram. It's silly and fun and doesn't require that I lug a big heavy camera with me everywhere I go. (Don't worry, Dad, I am still taking photos with my DSLR.) Here's what I captured over the past month and a half...

cheese 1

meow

scrub-a-dub

naptime 1

naptime 2

big as saucers

motion v. stillness

charmed

my girl

my favorite people

cheese 2 (photo by nori)

angel 1

angel 2

sunny & minnie

will climb someday

shades & undies

shopping with daddy (photo by stephen)

being sick gets you extra ipod time

my boy

napping...again

morning snuggles 1

morning snuggles 2

tea party

sick day snuggles (photo by nori)

mustache 1

mustache 2

date night

rainy day at devere's

three musketeers

that time of year again

olympic village inn, squaw valley

winter wonderland

tiny artist 1

tiny artist 2

old school watercolor paints

Destination: Giant Gap Family Campground

My recent month-long hiatus from blogging, while certainly well-needed, resulted in me getting a wee bit behind in my posts. Because of this, I will be traveling back in time now and then, starting right now, with a photographic journal of this past summer's Silack Family Camping Trip.

Halfway to the campground, our truck overheated, forcing us to pull over and call a tow truck. Not exactly how we planned on starting our trip...

There wasn't enough room in the tow truck for all of us. So Stephen and Nori left while Evan and I waited for my mom to come pick us up (Thanks, Mom!). Since we were at Denny's, Evan scored a plate of fries and a vanilla milkshake.

We weren't about to let a little car trouble ruin our trip. Once we were all home, we repacked all our gear into the Volvo  and hit the road for the second time. The kids were such troupers throughout the entire ordeal. Look at 'em, still smiling! :)

Finally made it to the campground (Giant Gap Family Campground in the Sugar Pine Recreation Area, Tahoe National Forest) a little after 7 pm. There was just enough daylight left to set up our tent and make dinner.

Chillin' by the fire our first night. This was Elinor's very first camping trip (Evan had been three times before his sister was born).

Our first morning at camp.

Elinor helping Daddy start the morning fire.

Playing with fire. (Photo by SS)

What's for breakfast? Pancakes and veggie bacon, yum!

Photo by SS

Even when camping, I can't escape my dish washing duties. Lame. (Photo by SS)

Our campsite, overlooking the reservoir. Beauteous, no?

Taking a walk about the campground.

Elinor found a tree chair!

I had to take a pic of this sign because it is so weird. I mean, honestly, what child looks like that?

We made sure to pack some pens and paper for Evan. He couldn't possibly go without for more than a day, little artist that he is.

Look how dirty she is! There was not a lot of ground cover in the way of leaves and twigs and the dirt was extremely fine and dusty. The kids were basically coated in the stuff for the entire trip. And don't even bother changing Elinor's clothes. If you do, you can pretty much guarantee she'll fall face first into the dirt within five minutes. And then roll around in it a bit while whining, just for good measure.

In her own little world.

These weird, thick web-nest thingies were all over the campground. At first, I thought they were made by some sort of creepy spider, but upon closer inspection...

...I discovered they were filled with tiny caterpillars! (My mom later informed me that they are called tent caterpillars. Guess that explains why they're at a campground! Har har.)

Heading to the reservoir for a swim. Evan insisted on riding in the trunk. Don't call CPS! We're really good parents, I swear!

Warming herself in the sun.

The water here was shallow enough that even the kids could walk through it to the island (although, Elinor preferred to be held, since walking resulted in her being neck-deep).

Evan exploring the waters on his own.

Photo by SS

Photo by SS

Photo by SS - I LOVE this one!

Elinor wanted in on the trunk action for the drive back to camp. (Photo by SS)

Photo by SS

Naptime

Stephen built a little zoo for the kids' animal figures using sticks, twigs, and grass.

Firestarters.

Photo by SS

Photo by SS

Posing with our s'mores.

Photo by SS

Left to their own devices, my children would start a forest fire. (Photo by SS)

Photo by SS

Photo by SS

Just waking up, our last morning at camp.

I seriously want to crawl into this picture. Love that boy, my little snuggle buggle.

Good morning, Nori!

Taking one last stroll around the reservoir.

Before heading home, we made sure to leave our mark.

Camping with young children is hard, dirty, tiring work. It also happens to be absolutely delightful. I can hardly wait to go again next year!