A Northwest Kid

Some days I'm struck by a deep sense of place and just how that sense of place will eventually impact Matthew.

When we were in China, there were families there from all over the country adopting children. Many of them were from Texas or the South--a few from the Midwest, and a few from the East coast. There were Californians as well as one family from Oregon, and a couple Washington folks like us. At one point during our trip, it dawned on me that each of the children being adopted would be going to a different part of the country and would grow up being shaped by that place.

This struck me even more strongly about a month after we got home when I took all three of my kids to the Darrington Bluegrass Festival. There we were out in the boondocks of Western Washington, sitting next to a bunch of hippie outdoorsy folk listening to one bluegrass band after another. It was such a wonderful afternoon, and already Matthew was exploring his world, looking all around, and taking everything in.

Our kid is definitely a Pacific Northwest boy. What gives it away? Perhaps his bright green North Face fleece and his Crocs. Or the way he LOVES being outdoors, putting his hands in the dirt, licking the raindrops, and exploring trails and beaches.

When I look back at all the photos we've taken of Matthew since he arrived home in Washington, I'm struck by how many of them were taken outside--on a hiking trail, at a beach, at a park, in the rain, in the backyard. Our boy can't get enough of the great Pacific Northwest outdoors, and I couldn't be more thrilled.

Here are a few of Matthew's recent adventures exploring the world.

Checking out the seesaw at Kayak Point.

Going down the slide with help from Aunt Chris--straight into Grandpa's arms

Finally tackling the seesaw by himself!

Family adventures at the park

A walk in our neighborhood

Leading the pack: walking with Aunt Chris and Grandma & Grandpa Russell