And Another Thing...

To the water!

All of the sudden, the weather here in southeast Michigan has been beautiful, so we decided to start taking full advantage and head to one of our favorite parks to play inthe water and get reacquainted with spring.

We played in the water, got pulled around by dogs chasing birds, found huge branches and set them sail, built fairy houses, laid in the sun and listened to all the spring sounds around us, discovered a huge swan convention, practiced sleeping with one leg up like the swans, and had a group of swan thugs intimidate us (and our dogs) away from them.  Then we stopped at the playground on our way back out of the park to wring the last bits of energy out before we headed home.  It was a great day!  We're all looking forward to going back in a few weeks to visit the little signets that are sure to be hatching soon.

Silliest cat in the world

This is Trogdor the Burninator, aka Troggie.  He happens to be the silliest cat in the world.  This is where we find him at least once everyday.  Notice that he is about 4 times too wide for the tray he is sitting in.  That's the nature try, by the way.  However, it happens to be conveniently located on the Spike's cage, so Troggie sits in it in hopes of a snack (which will only make the tray fit even less, but he doesn't seem to care).

Spike does not care for this arrangement.  If you could hear this picture, you would know what it means to listen to a completely pissed off guinea pig.  He was running around his cage squealing in rage and a little bit of panic and Troggie thought that he was being quite ridiculous.  I believe (judging from Troggie's body language) that he is telling the guiea pig to just hold still and it will all be over soon.

I think this picture best conveys how ridiculous this cat is.  Not only is he way too big for the tray, he is seriously warping the cage!  We've been talking about this and trying to come to a resolution, but we're not getting very far. Troggie only has one demand and as much as Saragh loves him, she just won't consent to letting him eat her guinea pig.  They appear to be at an impasse, but Spike is thinking of listing himself on craigslist with the specification that he go to a nice cat-free home. 

2009 in review

January: Olivia turns 6 and Anastasia turns 4

February: I finished my first pair of socks!!

March: Benny turns 11

April: Ruth joins our family as a birthday present for Braidon who also turned 11

May: I turned (gulp) 30!

June: Anna's first dance recital

July: Oliver turned 30!!

August: Saragh turns 3, it is finally warm enough to swim and then Saragh discovers her shadow.

September: We helped our friends start to put in their deck

October: Halloween, what else?

November: The month of the Thousand Eyed Turkey and we bid a grateful farewell to Olivia's tonsils and adenoids.

December: Merry wishes you a Merry Christmas!

2009 was a great year and I think we came through with flying colors.  We have a cozy house to live in, Oliver's job is secure (knock on wood) and we are all healthy and relatively happy.  I think everything else pales in comparison. 

We're looking forward to a great 2010 and I am anxious to see what the new decade has in store for us!

The attack of the humongous rabbit

Do you remember Ruth a few months ago?

Well, here she is now!  We cannot believe how big she has gotten in just 7 months.  She's not done growing yet either.  We expect her to end up somewhere around 20 pounds when it's all said and done.  They don't call them Flemish Giants for nothing.

The weight of learning

Our good friend, John, gave us this fabulous scale last week and we have weighed just about everything in our house now.  When I say everything, I do mean it...

We start out with harmless weights...

Quickly move on to pantry items...

Then progress to snack foods...

And then they weighed the cat. 

Cattie was not appreciative of this and we were not able to get an accurate weight.  We were able to practice first aid after she scratched Olivia in her attempt to get away.  Hey, science is science people.

Loooooong time, no see!

I have been away for a very long time and I apologize.  It has simply been too nice around here lately to be in at my computer too much.  Here is a quick wrap up of what we have been doing since I was here last.

So, that's the last few weeks in a nut shell, so to speak.  We have been having a great time with friends and we are looking forward to a great summer filled with lots of sunshine and outdoor time!  I'll be back soon (er) I promise!

Who Said to Pack the Dog?!?!