Goodbye spring flowers

Spring blooms are almost over and it makes me sad. Although some people will not be sad to see the spring pollen bloom finally over. Yesterdays pollen count was over 750 pollen grains per centimeter...that is NOT good. But I'll be taking pictures until the last bloom fades!

Country living

I love living in the country. Sometimes you just find the craziest things!

Farmers tend to stand these types of rocks upright in their fields as "decoration"...apparently this one is always decorated as the Easter Bunny because of its shape.

Injuries

We had a spring cleanup day on Tuesday. So beautiful out and we needed to do some tree trimming. (Free plug for Habitat for Humanity with his hat :)

Keeping branches trimmed and off the house will reduce the occurance of ants/spiders...until they find another way in! :)

The dog wanted to help.

Unfortunately there was an accident just as we were finishing up. I have yet to figure out how she did it or where she did it. (I just know the general area she was before I noticed her on the ground licking her wound.) She's got a terrible cut on her bottom pad...^ shape and very deep...and unfortunately, there's really nothing we can do. It'll be weeks before it finally heals, I'm afraid. It also means no playing in the mud/water or swimming in the lake this weekend. Poor thing is really pitiful and it makes me sad to see her so sluggish.

To add insult to injury, we had to subject her to the "cone of shame"...we just couldn't let her chew off the bandages until it's healed more. I know licking it is good for it, but it's just too deep right now to let her lick it. :(

Poor baby

Madelynn-3 mo

Seriously, how sweet is she?! I cannot get enough of her!

I just want to eat her up! Can't wait to see her again this weekend.

Family pics

We were in a hurry to finish before the storm came, but I think this came out ok. Unfortunately it's hard NOT to blow out a muddy lake and a bald head on a cloudy day! :)

I wish Madelynn was looking at me instead of momma...and unfortunately the other one I took that had all three of them looking, had hair blowing in Brooklynn's face. Guess you can't win them all on a windy day.

Good morning God!

What a beautiful Sunday morning sunrise!

The crazy kid...he might want me to think he's got a big fish on, but the faker doesn't realize his pole's not bending! ;)

Dear Friday...

come back when you've got a better attitude! :(

After the tragedy our community suffered the day before, I am THANKFUL no one was injured!

Butterflies...part 3

Last but not least...

Banana bokeh = yummy :)

What a beautiful day! I can't wait for these beauties to return...hopefully soon!

Butterflies...part 2

It was really quite difficult to photograph these beauties, believe it or not. I was constantly fighting the harsh sunlight and the dark shade. I may be too picky, but out of approx 200 photos, I pulled about 26 "good" ones out.

Butterflies...part 1

We went to The Butterfly House last weekend. I could have stayed for hours...unfortunately "the kids" got cranky and hot. Next time I may just leave their cranky, hot butts at home! :)

So beautiful!

Win an Epiphaine!

I'm saving up for a pink (or red ;) "Lola" Epiphanie ...maybe I'll be lucky enough to win one in their "Green" photo contest. I think this is a good candidate!

I entered the Epiphanie Camera Bags Picture It photo contest. Enter here

Fish, fish, fish

The boys have been fishing on/off for the last few weeks. The weather's been nice, but no one told the fish it was time to start biting...UNTIL the other day. After getting back from the weekend, they all went fishing. Lo and behold they finally started biting. Happiness abounds again! And nothing makes a kid happier than stealing his daddy's fish right out from under his hook! Let the season begin! :)

Kindle rocks!

There was a time when I dreaded road trips...suitcases, backpacks, toys, games, video/movie machines...golly, it was a chore just to get everything packed. I realized this past weekend that I do miss it (a little)...as they are growing up way too quick...but it makes it so much easier when we decide to just hop in the car and go for the weekend and they grab a backpack of clothes and their Kindles. Best.Christmas.Gift.EVER! It tends to cost me when they want certain books, but seriously, who's going to say no to buying them a book to read?! And every once in a while I find a gem that's free that I will download for them. He read the whole book today and came back tonight wanting the next 3 books. Lucky for me they packaged them up in a set for $5! Best $5 I've spent today! :)

Beauty

I love how this turned out.

10/52 A Perfect Pair

A trip to The Butterfly House closed out this week. What a great day spent with these beauties. I can't wait for them to come back from winter break! :)

Perspective

I have come to realize the dog is as bad as the kids. DON'T say "wanna go to the park", unless you're serious! Because she will hound you like there's no tomorrow! And then you're committed!

I typically don't walk around the backside of the park unless it's really warm out, because it will require the dog being hosed off.

As you can see! She entertains herself running from (mud) puddle to (mud) puddle...I'm beginning to think she's part pig! She took off over to an area we were just at, so I sat down and held my hand up like I had a ball. (Who can resist a ball?) Unfortunately I did not have one...but she didn't care!

I love the flinging water as she's running

She looks so vicious! (Far from it!)

She didn't care, she was ready to hit another puddle.