We got some ducklings from mom a week ago. They've already grown so much from these pictures. They attached themselved to Ava pretty quick and followed her all around the house. I think they are going to be pretty tame (as long as they survive the local predators). They aren't allowed in the house anymore because they are getting to be poop machines. lol

Isaac wants to grab them and suck on their heads ... but I told Ava not to place the ducks next to him. The first few days we had them - Ava would take them in her room and "share" her toys with them. Ha ha.

Now they waddle around the yard and are getting more comfortable, secure, and independent. Although they still like to have us in sight when we are outside and follow us. They like to sleep on our porch where they can look through the glass sliding door and see us in the house. I sure like having them around. They are going to be great pest control in my garden and flowers. I can count how many grasshoppers I've fed them. I just wish they would eat potatoe bugs.

The hummingbirds around our house perch on my garden fence and watch the ducks.

Even though the ducks spend most of the day runnin' around outside - they still like to perch on our shoulders and sleep (after nibbling on ears and neck). It'll be fun to watch them grow and to find out if they are female or male...... hmmmm. I'll keep you posted ;)

P.S. Happy Birthday again Hunny B!

:)

XOXOXOX

Ava & Isaac

These are just some random pics of our little "angels" (Uh-hum) that I took throughout the last couple of weeks. Ok, I wish it were all rainbows and lollipops around here - but honestly these two sure know how to voice their opinions. Don't let the innocent expressions fool you ;)
lol

Bike Rides

Ava has been enjoying her little bike this summer. She's a lot more comfortable with it than she was in the beginning of the season.

Bryan showed her how to use the brakes - which was initially a struggle but now she's a pro :)

She's actually fast enough at times that Isaac and I have to jog to keep up with her. I think she's proud of that :D

She says "Common guys!"

I try not to ride too much on the highway (not like you can avoid it) because of the occassional @$$es that either don't get over, or honk and scare a two year old on a bike. It can be quite frustrating and at times I want to run and yank people out of their RVs or ars and express to them MY road rage!

Sorry about the little rant....... anyway, we sure are enjoying our summer days!

Happy FRY - day everyone (it's hot outside!) lol

Silver Creek

On July 14th (Wednesday) we got the kids together again to have some fun in the water. Yeah, our activites involve water most of the time on these summer days. No water sliding this time - but Gretchen and Nomi had some really cool floats :)



So, we dressed the kids in their gear (most importantly life jackets) and made a big splash....

Matthew is a really great swimmer! Ava needs some lessons ;) lol

But, after a while - everyone got used to the water and had a lot of fun.........




Since it was my birthday, Gretchen had some surprise homemade muffins with a candle (thank you Gretchen - that was really thoughtful!). It was a real treat for everyone :)

Isn't that a gorgeous view of MT. Wheeler?

Babies are ALWAYS fun to take pictures of! Here are Isaac and Emma interacting........

You'll notice Gretchen had to change Emma's clothes......(not only tires blow out). lol

Out came the big guns!

Henry following Gretchen to the other side of the reservoir........

Ahhhhh, this is the life!

Tungstonia & Warm Springs

After leaving Blue Mass we headed Tungstonia. Well, at least what's left of it. All we found was this old mill surrounded by yellow dirt. It was still pretty cool and we went to explore.

We had to be careful of all the nails sticking from old boards and for critters underneath those boards (perhaps rattlesnakes?)..... although that would be a highlight for Bryan. lol

It was so nice to have Lindsay, Meg, and Eric to help "wear" Ava down............ lol

I was tired, so I sat and observed in Meg's yellow beast of a truck. We all decided it was a hot enough day to detour to Warm Springs on the way home. All of us were looking forward to it :)

Ava was down to one pull-up (which we wanted to save for the way home) so she was stripped down. Ha ha. She didn't seem to mind.

Nobody else was there - so we had this oasis in the desert to ourselves :)

We hung out for a couple of hours and headed back home for Sunday Softball. With all the activity the last couple of days, we fell asleep as soon as our heads hit the pillow.....totally worth it of course ;)