Parade

Zoe got to ride on the Girls Scout float in the Dublin Parade a few weeks ago. The parade mostly consisted of the parade marchers and float riders tossing candy to the parade watchers. It's almost better than trick-or-treating. The Girl Scouts won 2nd place for their float.

The Hedges

We haven't forgotten about the hedges. Jen's mom pointed out that birds hang around in the hedge and hide from a marauding neighbor cat. We think we will try the making them into 3 bushes again. If only it would quit raining on the weekends we could get the job done and show the after pictures.

A Major Award

Zoe and 11 other kids in her school received medals from the American Heart Association for raising over $125 each in the AHA Jump-a thon. YAY Zoe!

Your Vote Counts!

So here are some views of our lovely boxwood hedge. The question posed- should it get trimmed up and stay, go to the dump and become mulch, or become three boxwood bushes again? They started life as three bushes but became overgrown and a bit ugly. We can't decide so we leave it up to you all. All votes count even if you are not a registered voter. (Shame on you if you are not registered.)

New Friends

After years of seeing bunnies at farm fairs, Zoe has finally achieved her wish of owning a bunny. Of course Annie wanted and got one, too. The brown one is Zoe's and her name is Lizzie. The spotted one belongs to Annie and is called Spotty. Zoe is lucky to get herself a bunny. I myself would loved to have had a horse when I was a kid but, alas, as some woman said if wishes were horses, beggars would ride. Whatever.

Visiting

After church we went Great-grandpa and grandma's house for brunch. Zoe played with the Christmas skater music box and Annie played with Great-grandpa. A good time was had by all.

Annie and Tim

Annie and Tim smiling pretty for the camera. They were waiting for Zoe and Granny Smith to get ready for church on Easter Sunday. Zoe declined to have her picture taken.

Easter egg stuff

The girls went on 4 Easter egg hunts over the Easter weekend. These are some pictures of the first one which featured not only egg hunting but pony rides and a hay ride. The pony ride was the favorite activity. Annie's pony is called Pongo, like the dad dog in 101 Dalmations. I don't know what Zoe's pony was called but she had fun with her nameless pony. We don't have pictures of the other hunts because it was only Annie and Zoe involved and we had to make sure Annie got a fair chance at some eggs, so no pictures. Also, the girls dyed some real eggs with Granny Smith.

helpers

Zoe and Annie helped to clean up the yard. Many branches fell off the pine trees during an ice storm a few weeks ago. At first they were helping by picking up pine cones but then started planting them in the yard again. I guess they think we don't have enough trees for Daddy to cut down. Also, I think they were trying to lasso a passing crow with their wild throws of the tie-downs.

Can't catch me

Annie's favorite book lately is The Gingerbread Girl. So, of course, we have to make gingerbread people. Fortunately for us none of them ran away, except for the dough Annie dropped under the chair. She wanted to beat Lily to it.

hmmm

Is Little Boy trying it on or trying to convince me he's looking for one of his toys in there?

Cozy Warm

Little Boy is trying out a new warm spot in the house. Or maybe he's just trying to be cute.

Finally

It has taken a while, no, not the renovation, putting these pictures on. For some reason they didn't want to go. So...here's the mostly completed bathroom. The floor is no longer squishy but it is still crooked. But so is the house. What can you do that doesn't cost a million dollors to fix the crooked house. Live with it. The only part to finish is the threshold. When trying to make the floor straight the old threshold doesn't fit anymore. We need a router or Norm Abrams.

A Star is Born

This is a quilt Jen made for Tim's newest niece, Amelia Rose.

Annie

Okay, it's just another picture of a kid with her fingers up her nose. She liked the way her voice sounded with them in there.

Daisy Girls

Zoe is getting her first badges as a Daisy Girl Scout. Also, Zoe with the rest of the troop. Yes, there are only the three of them. The other girls are Jordan and Alexa.

Zoe

Zoe pretending the pony is her baby. She says she cannot wait to be a mommy. I can.

The Birds!

There were about 1000 birds, I think they are grackles, that landed in the yard. Tim was hoping they were going to eat the leaves so we wouldn't have to rake them. No such luck.

Posey

Our good friend, Posey cat passed away on Tuesday, January 22. She was 17 years old. She was a comfort, especially when Tim was away in the field or TDY somewhere, Posey was always there. Everyone she met was a friend, even pesky dogs would soon know she was one to be respected. All she ever wanted was to be patted or have a piece of meat or cheese off your plate. We miss you, Posey.

The bathroom project

This is the inside of some of the walls in our house. We suspect this part used to be a log cabin. We were just going to replace the floor in the bathroom but ended up doing some walls, too. Hopefully it will be finished soon.

Eek!

Zoe asked, "Mommy, why is Daddy breaking the house?"

Sleepyheads

Annie is sacked out after a hard day of play. Her pal, Posey, has found a warm placed to sleep.

The cake

Annie's birthday cake is environmentally friendly. It uses the Care Bears from Zoe's birthday cake.

Birthday girl

Annie is practicing for blowing out the candles on her cake.

Zoe is pouting because we sang her unfavorite song when Annie's birthday cake came out.

Annie is helping make her birthday cake by eating the frosting.

Annie sits with Grandma and Grandpa Smith and plays with our new portable DVD player.

after

Uh oh! Someone got carried away and raked a child in the leave pile. All these leaves came from the nicest tree in the yard. GGGRRRR!!

before

This is the best tree in the yard. It is nicely shaped and it has pretty leaves in the fall. Also, it's the only tree in the yard not in danger of Tim and his trusty chainsaw.

Dancer

This week was Observation Week at Zoe's dancing school. We saw what Zoe and the other kids have learned so far in their tap/ballet classes.

Kitties

The girls were being kitties and so Tim gave them some milk to drink for their supper.