Out in the Desert.

We don't figure we've made the best use of the fact that we live in a desert environment. Every time we either drive through or across it we find ourselves marveling at just how beautiful it is, especially at dawn or sunset. And yet we've only been "in it" on two occasions. After two and a half years that's a bad track record really. 

This outing was with our friends Jasmin and Kevin and their kids Annika and Will. They had worked out an evening in the desert on New Year's Eve with two other families that we didn't know (yet). Even as we drove, however, it was all "woooow" and "amaaazing". After the moved beyond the ever-expanding city, out beyond the cycling tracks, there was a world of splendor waiting for us. Just waiting. 

Once we got out of the cars the girls were off (along with the other kids too) and running up and down the dunes. A bit of shifting of chairs, coolers, picnic mats, etc., was all that got in the way of settling down and enjoying the evening. We chose a spot surrounded by dunes on pretty all sides. It was a nice spot allowing for the fire to become the central point of the camp. 

The kids came and went freely and Amalia joined a group of another four (all older by at leave five years) children/young adults to roam around the camp and go explore the area. They played "spy" as they ran from one dune to another. Irini played for a while but then settled down in the camp to chat with a girl she just met. Both were happy as can be with the outdoors. 

Of course, light in the desert is quite impressive during sunset and so we took advantage of the juxtaposition of dark and light to take some profile pictures of the girls. As the darkness arrived the photo focus shifted to the light of the fire on the face our our growing girls. Beauty all around, both inside and out. What a great day to end the year with!  Wonderful. Wonderfilled!