Looking for Moose

 I almost forgot to share this story...Kyle would probably rather I forgot.
On a Saturday a few weeks ago, I left Gunnar and Ryker with Kyle and his brothers Shawn and Caleb. Our washing machine broke, so I was at the laundromat doing laundry. Kyle's dad showed up around the time I left and cousin Jimmy showed up shortly after. So there were 5, let's repeat that, FIVE grown (well, one is 13, but still) men around my two little boys!
I have heard many variations of the story for each individual, but from what I have gathered this is as close to the truth as we will ever know....
All were outside playing. Jimmy and Mike were working on the heater. Ryker started to cry and wanted to go inside. Kyle took Ryker inside. Kyle stepped outside to make sure Gunnar was being cared for. He called "Gunnar?" No answer. He called "Shawn, Caleb?" No answer. So he assumes that they all must be off somewhere together so he go inside to care for upset Ryker. (I'm not exactly sure where Mike and Jimmy were at this point).
Sometime later a little red pickup pulls into our driveway and informs the menfolk that there is a little boy, probably about two, in a black and red coat walking along the snowmobile path and was about to "The Little Store."
Hmm...that sounds a lot like our little Gunnar. Mike and Jimmy were the message receivers and Mike took off to the Little Store. Gunnar got a spanking and told to walk home (mean ol' Grandpa..haha). He cried the entire way home. He not only got to the Little Store but did so pulling his sled.
I pulled up into the driveway, probably about the time Mike was reaching Gunnar at the Little Store. I was informed "Gunnar is missing, some guy just pulled up and said they saw him walking on the snowmobile path." Can you imagine my panic??? There are woods directly behind us, a busy Highway in front of us, a rock crushing business to the right of us, and down the road about a fourth of a mile is the Little Store. Luckily my panic was quickly diminished as I walked out onto the snowmobile path and watched as my sad little boy walked himself home. I felt bad for him, and wasn't really sure who to blame, as everyone was pointing figures at each other.
Gunnar came up got a hug and told me he was looking for moose. He has a huge moose obsession, apparently its a bit of a problem.
We are so thankful for someone having enough sense to stop and tell us about our little run away. Really, all the men were clueless that Gunnar was gone, each assuming someone else was watching him. Lessons were learned and Gunnar is home safe and I doubt he goes out on any moose searching adventures alone anytime soon.
(Gunnar really loves moose and asks us almost daily to go out looking for them. He can point their antlers out on walls and anywhere else he might see them). My mom bought the giant moose from Costco for him to play with while we were visiting and he loved it.