Taking the Scenic Route

Savoring the Journey

About Us

Origins of the Blog Name: Taking the Scenic Route: When I was a kid, when we would be traveling somewhere and suddenly find ourselves in unfamiliar territory, we were never “lost”, just “taking the scenic route”. Our lives have taken some unexpected twists and turns over the years, and though we feel off the map a lot of times, we try to just sit back and enjoy the view.

Zach (Dad): Computer nerd extraordinaire. A computer programmer looking for the next great adventure. Most semesters he also teaches a computer class online at a university (formally taught full time on campus and online for the same university). Can hold entire conversations in nothing but movie and song lyric quotes.

Jennifer (Mom): Typically the blog author. Professional Chaos wrangler and Stay at Home Mom for two treasured kids. Likes to read, knit, and cook. Has a weird affinity for forms, charts and office supplies. An advocate for Autism Acceptance, Natural Length Breastfeeding, and Gentle Discipline.

Zane: Our owl boy. Intelligent, sweet spirit, persistent, Autistic wonder boy. Loves mazes, computer games, Nintendo (especially his DS, which is a sanity saver at times), maps, marble runs and blocks, books, drawing, roller coasters, building, roadways and trains. New passion for Lego Mindstorm Robots.

Zora: Our butterfly girl. Bright, inquisitive, spirited, and a tornado in curls. Loves people and being out and about, cars, trains, airplanes, dolls, stuffed animals, and writing and coloring. Passionate book lover. Loves to push things around in her stroller. Likes puzzles and playing on the computer. Very interested in cooking and “make” (recipe) books.

Extended Family often mentioned

Grandma and Grandpa / Oma and Opa (or “the 2 Opas”…Zora’s early language cuteness still being used as the category tag)” are Jennifer’s parents. They live about an hour away on a farm and are very involved in the kid’s lives. Jennifer is the oldest of the two kids.

Grandma Zandra” is Zach’s mom. She lives a few states away. She has visited numerous times, and keeps up on the kids through the phone and this blog and sends presents when she can. Zach is her only child.

Papo” is Zach’s dad. He also lived a few states away. Papo (Jim) only met Zane before he passed away in October of 2008. Zach’s step-mother has met both kids since Papo’s passing. They are the parents of Zach’s younger step and half siblings and grandparents to several cousins of our kids.

Uncle Steve is Jennifer’s brother. He is the only uncle the kids have nearby. (they have several in other states) . He is currently dating a wonderful gal and has no children.

  • Zane's age

  • Zane is 22 years, 2 months, and 23 days old
  • Zora's age

  • Zora is 18 years, 2 months, and 27 days old
  • Random Quote

  • I think of discipline as the continual process of helping a child learn self-discipline — Fred Rogers

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