Five years in review...

So here we are celebrating our first anniversary as a family. Five years as husband and wife and seven years inseparably together - but our first year as a family.

We've certainly been through enough to write a book about - maybe a short book, and not necessarily an interesting one, but still, it could fill a book. But the most recent chapter has the biggest plot twist of all - the addition of Sequoia. Colleen and I have always been active and have enjoyed countless hikes, camping trips and kayaking adventures. We now have this little person in our care and the prospect of introducing her to all of these wonderful things excites us beyond belief.

The thing that I find unexpectedly spectacular is that far beyond the obvious and wondrous things that we get to share with Sequoia, it's the everyday little adventures and discoveries that we are privileged to witness that are often the most fulfilling. The greatest hike pales when compared to the magic and joy of discovering your own feet. The most exquisitely crafted story is a mere vehicle to the realization that you can turn the pages of the book yourself .

I know that Sequoia will accomplish phenomenal things during her life, and Colleen and I will take great pride in her journey. For now, however, we are in awe of the process that has started at such a young age. I entered this with few preconceptions about what to expect, and I never would have expected to see such depth of personality and character during these early weeks.

So, although Colleen and I can't wait to share our passion for the wonders of the natural world with our daughter - for the moment we are quite content allowing her to educate us about the surprising beauty that is contained within the simplest elements of everything we do.

That has to make you smile....