Out and About

We didn't bring much with us to our new place and the kids and I were getting a little bit of cabin fever the first day. We decided to go out and explore the neighborhood. Our place is right at the front of the neighborhood, so we headed deeper in. The street we live on has "no outlet" and at the end we discovered this park. It has a couple of baseball fields and a lot of open area with a gravel path running through it.

The kids chased a squirrel up a tree.

It sloped up a few feet to a big black plastic covered barrier running along one edge of the parkwith a narrower paved trail right next to it. Standing on the gravel trail it looked like it was just a big wooded gully that is so common in the northwest. So, we mainly stuck to the gravel path. After a few minutes of walking, chasing squirrels and picking up rocks and sticks we noticed a space in the barrier above us, so we decided to check it out. We found a staircase and pathway leading down to the river which had been running along the barrier the whole time!

 At the end of the path was this little beach.

It is not sandy, it's just mud, but the kids still had a great time drawing in the mud with sticks.

(Note to Nana: whenever we get a chance to go to the beach, Josi wants to take watermelon. She tells me everytime she thinks about watermelon or the beach)

Here is a shot of the staircase when we headed back up. It was so fun, like a secret little path. You feel like you are in the middle of the wilderness until you get back to the top of the stairs. I decided the path along the river would be perfect for running and a few days later I went running and discovered that there are several of these little beaches along the river. Looks like it would be a good place for tubing.

On the walk home the kids dragged sticks and hands along the fences.

Wear Your Seatbelt

Thought this was an awesome video.

Awww Factor

I love living in the country. Growing up my siblings and I were lucky enough to experience lots of baby animals over the years. Being here with my parents my kids have been able to experience a little of that. At Easter, my dad bought 4 little chicks to increase his egg laying brood and allow Josi and Hyrum the opportunity for a little responsibility in taking care of them.

The kids have been enamoured by the cute little fluff balls, which have since turned into smaller versions of a full grown hen.

Early Wednesday morning some new babies joined the crew here at the Baird household. Their beagle, Aero, gave birth to 6 little butterballs. Two little girls have the black, white and brown coloring; one little girl has what they call "lemon" coloring. The other three are little boys and two of them are nearly white. They may get a little darker as they grow, but for now they look almost albino.

Here it comes.....

 "Awwwww"

Josi and Hyrum were so excited when they woke up and found them in Alysha's room (for some privacy, since Lou isn't currently using it). Josi ran upstairs to wake me, bubbling over with excitement that the puppies had finally come. She has been asking everyday for the last 2 weeks when the puppies would be coming. She has already stated that she is stealing the black ones to keep as her own.

Now, because the parents names are Beau and Aero (say it out loud) we are looking for good archery related names. We will be taking votes.  So far we have Archer, Fletcher (puts the feathers at the end of an arrow), Quiver (the case for arrows), and Artemis (goddess of hunting), Aphetoros (god of archery) or Apollo for a nickname, Bolt, Quarrel (another name for a bolt) Bodkin, Bowyer (one who makes bows), Daikyu (Japanese long-bow), Hankyu (Japanese short-bow), Gungdo (Korean archery), Nock (which to me just sounds too much like what happened to Aero to result in the puppies), Riser (handle of bow), Stave (wood a bow can be make from), Bracer (protective strap for archers forearm). Keep in mind, these names may not stick once a puppy is purchased, but at least they will have good names for 8 weeks or so. Artemis and Apollo are pretty much definites. So cast your vote in a comment!