A munchkin in a giant forest

The other day we took our tiny Jasper to the tallest trees on earth in Redwood National Park.  At one point, he actually looked one of the giants up and down!  He is getting more and more aware of his surroundings every day!  It's an incredible feeling to begin to show our newborn baby the wonders of the natural world...  

Spring in the Bald Hills

Spring has arrived in the hills country along the coast!  The other day, we took Jasper on a beautiful walk to Lyons Ranch in the Bald Hills of Redwood National Park.  The flowers were blooming.  The sun was shining.  The sky was pure blue and a light breeze blew out of the north.  It was the type of spring day when all seems bright and new and perfect in the world and you wish you could bottle up that feeling for the next gloomy day...  

Mommy and baby excited about the start of the trail!

In places, the hillsides were carpeted with wildflowers.

Blooming Lupine at Lyons Ranch...our destination and site of our picnic lunch!

Jasper hits the local trails!

We've had a week of spectacular weather with cool breezes, warm sun and blue skies! To celebrate, we've taken Jasper on many of the local trails (like the Hammond Trail at sunset above). He seems to really love these walks, although it may have something to do with the warm, comfortable place he gets to sleep! Here are some of the highlights...

Elk Head Trail, Trinidad

Patricks Point State Park (with church group)

Patricks Point State Park

Widow White Creek Trail, Mckinleyville

Trying to get a Jasper-like view along the Hammond Trail, Mckinleyville

Hiller Park, Mckinleyville

Trinidad Beaches

The First Month

Baby Jasper has turned one month old!  It's been an amazing month filled with many challenges and rewards.  Here are some of our favorite photos of Jasper's first month of life...

Our little Miracle

On April 2, 2012, a miracle dropped into our lives.  His name is Jasper Edward Ausema.  On that dream-like evening, just hours after his birth, Jasper began the process of joining our family through adoption.  The following day, we left the hospital as terrified new parents of a tiny, 7 pound angel.    

We've had an amazing 18 days since this day that changed our lives forever!  Each day, we survive the crash-course in parenthood and learn a little bit more.  Most importantly, our baby boy is healthy and happy.  Every second of life with this angel is a blessing from God! 

A visit from Michigan

In late March, the Bass family arrived for a visit to the North Coast. The rain fell in torrents for the first few days and flooding was rampant. Gradually, the storms became fewer and farther in between. We spent time in Redwood National Park and the Trinidad area together. Later in the visit, they also spent time in Patricks Point State Park and more time in Redwood NP on their own.

On April 2nd, the visit took an intriguing and powerful turn. I'll update that story in the next blog entry. It was a WONDERFUL visit and we were sad to see them leave!

The flooding was incredible in Redwood NP (above). Owen enjoying a puddle-filled trail in the park (below).The "Arco Giant" in Redwood NP (below)...one of the largest trees on earth.The Bass family is dwarfed by a giant...Gabriel and Owen in the heart of a Redwood grove (below).The day turned sunny in Trinidad!Randy in his "photographers" pose.

The Green and Gray in Chile

In mid-March, Susanna had an opportunity to travel to Alerce Costero National Park in Chile with the superintendent and two other colleagues to represent Redwood National Park. This new National Park in Chile has recently become a "Sister Park" to Redwood NP. It protects the massive "Alerce" trees, which can live to be 4,000 years old, rugged coastline and coastal mountains. The similarities to the Northern California coast are amazing.

Susanna gave several presentations in Spanish on Interpretation and Environmental Education and had the opportunity to explore the park. Later this summer or fall, Chilean rangers will visit Redwood, and Susanna will assist with their visit.

This was a highlight in Susanna's 10 year career with the National Park Service. It was a huge honor to be selected to travel internationally and represent Redwood NP abroad. Her Spanish language skills were valuable, as well as her experience in developing environmental education programs in Guatemala and Colorado.

Here are some of the highlights:

A boat ride up a river, to access a remote section of Alerce Costero National Park, followed by a delicious, 4 course, campesino lunch.

This tree is 3,500 years old. Standing in an Alerce forest feels quite similar to standing in a Redwood forest.