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Staying Cool on a Triple Digit Day

Roxy figured out how to get on the trampoline early in the game and likes to jump up there to play with the boys.

Yesterday morning, while watering the garden, Roxy started going after the water. Mark was happy to make a game of it for her.

A great way to stay cool on a day that topped out at 105.

Puppy Love

Robbie is in heaven. He has a television partner who doesn't try to change the channels on him.

I have a walking partner. I'm in heaven.

According to her papers, Roxy's birthday is October 26th, LOL, I still can't get away from the fall/winter birthdays.

Hmm...looks like only one baby is sleeping, LOL

For such an energetic dog she sure imitates a rug well!

Roxy

We interrupt your regularly scheduled Fantastic Food Friday with an introduction of our newest family member...

I'm a pretty girl.

Are you sure these aren't breakfast?

Yeah, I could get used to this.

Roxy is an 18 month old boxer-bully mix though we're not sure of the type of bully yet. Yes, I'm on cloud nine that there's another female in the house.

P is for Pets

Bear is the cautious one.

Cal has no such worries.

The Great Guinea Pig Escape!

Thoughtless Thursday

It's been awhile since I posted any piggy (Bear is the long hair and Cal is the smooth coat) pictures so here are the critters for a little warm and fuzzy...

A Dragonfly and an Artist

We have a lot of Dragonflies out here. More than I'd expect.

This one landed in the garage and rested on our recycling bin, cooling itself maybe. All the boys except Robbie, who was napping, got to see it. I got to take pictures and was surprised how long it was content to just sit there. The pictures don't do justice to the beautiful iridescent colors in the wings. The boys think the face looks like Jiminy Cricket, LOL

Here's Cam drawing that Red Tailed Hawk the other day.

Critters

Bert and Gertrude

Okay, either they've never left the nest or Mama's been busy and this is Bert and Gertrude Take Two!

Every time Mark goes to clean out the nest some one is home *le sigh* maybe by autumn we'll be able to close this birdy birthing center/hotel.

Bear and Cal

The boys like to take them outside to play in the sand box. 

Don't they look like they're having fun? LOL

Of course, I bet they're glad this guy isn't next door!

My friend, Owl.  Yep, just broke into a Winnie-the-Pooh song.

"Mom!  Help!"

Wildlife

I saw an owl during my morning walk today.  An owl...in Las Vegas...who knew! 

I would never have expected to see a bird I consider nocturnal despite the fact I was out early (we're expecting another triple digit day) it was still 10 after 6 in the morning and very bright.  While we aren't in the middle the city it's still an urban area.  He was just sitting on the covering of someones patio.  Thought he was fake at first but then he rotated his head and blinked.

Big beast.  About a foot tall.  From a little research online I think it must have been a Great Horned Owl.

Bert & Gertrude

They finally look like pigeons, LOL. These guys are growing fast.

Note to self: stop at home improvement store for chicken wire or equivalent. Want to get this spot covered up as soon as these babies fly away!

They're Back...

Last year we had a nest. Mama laid two eggs but one never hatched. After mama and baby flew away, Mark meant to put a screen of some kind up so we wouldn't end up with another one.


As you can see, didn't happen.

Once again we have a nest, this time mama -- likely the same one from last year -- laid two eggs and both hatched. If pigeons weren't rats with wings and a major nuisance it wouldn't be too bad.

More Vacation Highlights

On Sunday we went over to my sister's house. This is Blues. My niece, Helena, has been teaching him to spread his wings on the command of eagle. What's funny to watch is when he's practicing by himself, usually watching his reflection in the glass of the china cabinet, where he'll parrot "eagle" as he's lifting his wings.







Helena and Robbie making up some brownies...yum.

Meanwhile, I got in a great visit with Debbie.










No pictures of oldest nephew who was up in his room taking a scholarship test...can't believe he'll be starting university in the fall! The rest of the kids had fun playing indoors and out.



On Monday, I picked up nephew Jeremy from school so he could come to Grandma and Grandpa's for some play time with the boys. Of course, he had to hold the guinea pigs, LOL Here he is with Bear.










Robbie showing off his silly teeth from Saturday's Sunshine Pizza dinner.













And Ian showing off one set of his silly teeth.














BIL Paul came to pick up Jeremy and the boys made him hold the guinea pigs. Paul doesn't seem to know quite what to do with the critter, LOL











Today...go outside, play, run off some energy.

Hmm...don't think that's what I had in mind Cam-man.




That's more like it.

Oh What Fun...

• Once again we spent the day cleaning out the boys' rooms GRRR


• Good thing it was garbage day today, LOL


• On the plus side -- we got rid of 2 big garbage bags of toys to Goodwill, I've weeded out clothes, and the rooms are clean.


• On the negative side -- we realize we need to repaint them and the carpet needs to be steam cleaned like no body's business!


• In the process of taking the trash out to the curb, I noticed that we once again have a nest under the eaves.


• I'm hoping the boys and I will be heading to Oregon tomorrow. Yay! This folks is one of the benefits of the boys being in a year-round school. Though why we'd want to leave our beautiful 70ish degree weather for what is likely a rainy, grey, early spring Oregon I don't know. LOL, yes I do, family and friends!! Love you guys.

Guinea Pig Loving

The older two boys had spent the night at a friend's house, which left the other two and me with a lazy Saturday morning, and lots of Guinea Pig loving time.

Awww...memories of Shmoo. Ian managed to catch this picture of Cal snuggling up under my hair, just like my sister's Guinea Pig used to do back when we were kids. Both Cal and Bear love to do this, though neither has fallen asleep yet like Shmoo was inclined to do, LOL.

Baby Birdie Update

This little guy is growing like a weed. Mama can no longer sit up under the eaves with him. Sadly, it looks like the second egg won't be hatching.

August 6th









August 8th














August 12th









August 17th

A Baby and Some Other Critters

We have a baby bird. One of the eggs hatched today!

Mark noticed some egg shells on the driveway so pulled out the ladder. I grabbed a couple pictures before Mama could get too mad at us.

This Praying Mantis is what drew Mark's eye to the ground where he ended up seeing the egg shell.

And this little guy was visiting our back yard the other night. I think our neighbor must have a nest of lizards because these little guys seem to be coming and going from her yard.

Mama

I got this shot of Mama yesterday morning...just a beady little eye glaring out at us.

Mark managed to get this one of her last night just as a thunder storm started rolling in for the night.

She seems to be spending more time up there now, only leaving when we startle her or she needs to hunt for food. And amazingly, the front of the house isn't covered in bird doodoo!