Fire and Water

Miss S started swim lessons this week. She loves being in the water. It is hard to get to her out of the pool.

This book says it all. She is a big fish. This book has a cutout for her head. It is actually more entertaining for the parents than the kids.

Already behind the wheel. At least this gigantic shopping cart keeps her entertained longer while we shop.

Some of our friends from Sacramento came up for the day with their family. Here is a picture taken on a hike up the road.

A couple of Dr. D's student were conducting a controlled burn as part of their research project. Here is Dr. D along one of the firebreaks.

Miss S hiking uphill in the oak woodlands.

Happy Mother's Day !

It has been wonderful to experience the whole year as a mother. We had a great day playing and relaxing at home.
Here is a family picture with some chickens at a coworker's house. Miss S loved them and fortunately for all of us they were very friendly.

They didn't just have chickens at their house, they also had a giagantic trampoline.

Back at home in the garden. Bird baths aren't just for the birds, you know.

No use crying over spilled milk.

It actually makes some dog's day.

Just Chipper

We have been quite busy lately, as the spring season always seems to go. So there are quite a few pictures, since I haven't had a chance to post for a while.

Here are just two out of ten brush piles we have been working on. The free chipper program is coming to our neck of the woods sometime this week. We were busy getting some dead manazanita cleared out and stacked for that.

Our garden is already doing great. It is amazing that only about a month ago it was just tilled dirt. Here are some strawberries...

onions...

and lettuce. There are many other goodies that are busy growing. We are at about the end of our asparagus crop but it was wonderful having fresh asparagus for so many weeks.

Here is a picture of a rose in bloom. This was part of Dr. D's grandfather's rose garden.

Miss S and mommy enjoying the beautiful weather.

Anna too.

Miss S and her little buddy rearranging the animal magnets on the fridge.
Our friend, Maribel, who celebrated her birthday weekend with us.

Can you spot the snake in the tree? His head is just to the right above the yellow needles. it is a whipsnake - they are very fast, pretty afraid of people and bonus they eat rattlesnakes. There are not many rattlesnakes around here but there are plenty of lizards which they also eat.

I wasn't lying about the lizards. Here is an alligator lizard on the steps in our garage. He is about the size of a women's size 8 shoe. He almost saw the bottom of one. At least our garage steps are bug free.

Telephone call for Anna.

Miss S thought these new dog beds were pretty comfy too.

It's just easier to get in the drawer to play with the toys.

Feet do have a tendency to get in the way when you are trying to eat.

Here is a picture of our neighbor's dog, Buddy. He is massive and EXTREMELY mellow. We enjoy when he comes up to visit.