April 29

SO EXCITING!!!

The moment we've been waiting for since the beginning of March.

The wood ducks have hatched and left the nest!!!

Many times we had almost given up on that Mama, but it turns out that she was

just very dedicated and barely ever made an appearance.

This morning, the Mama sat in the box opening, scoping things out for a long time.

Then finally she flew out and swam up and down the slough, looking for any signs of danger.

When she was satisfied that the coast was clear, she briefly went back in,

then out she came again and went almost directly under the box, in the water, and started calling her young.

Instantly, baby ducks started popping out the box and free-falling to the ground below.

They waddled to the water and swam to their Mama.

Within 2 minutes of Mama coming out of the box,

there were 11 baby ducks swimming away behind her!!

So thrilled to have actually seen this all!!

April 27

Welcome back, little hummers :)

April 26

Amazing how fast the river came up in the past week.

On Saturday, we headed out again, but were very surprised to see

the water up so high, and we were unable to cross to our usual spot.

So we settled in 'the parking lot' to roast hotdogs and s'mores,

some quadding and being silly for the camera :)

(love my silly cross-eyed toothless wonder).

April 25

Love watching the maple tree grow new leaves each Spring.

What a difference from three weeks ago.

April 24

April 23

I LOVE everything about this picture :)

Sunny Spring weather...

Colorful tulips...

And, of course, two sweet girlies...

April 22

We stopped by the greenhouse yesterday to pick up some Sweet Pea seeds.

What a selection, how to pick...

Until we saw these ones.

'Juanita'...

Looking forward to summer, and blooming sweet peas...

and thoughts of our favorite Auntie Juanita :)

April 21

A day off school means lots of outside play...

topped off by his soccer game late this afternoon.

Sleeping on the couch was more attractive to him than eating dinner tonight.

April 19

Despite the weather forecast predicting rain for this afternoon,

we thought we'd head down to the river while it was still dry.

River opportunities are quickly dwindling the closer we get to summer.

Warmer weather = snow melts = high waters = bye-bye river days til the Fall again.

The kids spent the time building campfires (yes, 4 of them),

searching for and chopping firewood, roasting hot dogs,

and of course quadding...until the rain came.

We got soaked, then packed it up and headed home to get clean and warm again.

What a great way to finish the week, even with the soggy ending :)

April 17

April showers....

April 16

Happy 11th Birthday Dustin!

April 9

Geraniums always make me think of my Opa H.

When I saw these in town, I had to take one home, in memory of him.

April 8

The tooth fairy is going to go broke at our house...

3 teeth from 3 different kids in 3 days...

April 7

Maple leaves unfurling...

April 3

When he saw me taking a picture,

he said with a straight face, "I'm a redneck".

Yup, you are buddy.  Popping balloons with a scissor.
You'd have your auntie Arenda running to the next room ;)

April 1

First day of the month = paperwork day for me.

Paperwork day for me = 'free' time for the boys.

Amazing what those two can accomplish in a short time.

Ladders (with blocks under 2 legs to even things out) to help themselves to branches of blossoms.

When questioned, I was assured that Daddy said they could have as many branches as they wanted.

Which happens to be an untruth.

Car tipping.

Balloons wearing underwear.

Cats learning to fly.

And this was all before lunch....

March 31

Blake is a happy boy...

No more 'sun in mine eyes'.