Waiting for Tomatoes

These hungry little critters know we just planted our potatoes, onions, peas, lettuce and tomatoes. They watched us the whole time. If you look closely, you will see that two of these guys are just drooling at the thought of getting into the garden and feasting on our famous tomatoes. Janene and I have found a deposit of rich black compost in the oak behind our house. We have been "mining" black gold for the last few days. Today, every time I dug out a wheelbarrow load of the stuff, I would come back to find a deer laying in the hole. He would leave long enough for me to extract another load and them he would lie back down. We are a little uncomfortable knowing that they know we are planting nice food for them if only they can figure out how to get in.

Spring Time is Bee Time

What better thing to do on a warm windy day than take care of the bees? Janene put another super on each of the hives today. A super is the box that holds nine of the frames that the bees cover with honeycomb, and then fill with honey. Here she is checking on the brood ( little baby bees) to see if the queen is laying eggs. This little mama bee is hard at work doing her job. The hive is healthy with lots of bees going to work, but we still gave them their medicine and some sugar water. With it so early in the season, the bees will probably need a supplemental food source. That will change as all the fruit trees come into blossom and the bees can start making us some of their famous Bountiful honey.

Last Days with Lily

Janene and I are bracing ourselves for the day when we will not have our little Lily to play with all day. Brooke and Steve will soon be leaving us home alone since their home is all but complete now. They have announced that they will be moving on the 18th of April with a big moving party planned starting at 5:00 PM. Words cannot describe how much fun we have had with Michael and Lily at our house. There is so much we will miss when these little bundles aren't around. We felt the same way when the other grandkids were living with us - the time we have with them is too short. Lily has started "talking" ( more like sweet little coo's) and Michael is smart and talkative. We will miss them - and Steve and Brooke, but are excited for them to be able to start their new life in their own new home.

Marshmallow Roast

Here is the scariest picture of Chelane in Guatemala. Yes, that is real LAVA! She roasted marshmallows on the hot lava. No wonder she came back needing new shoes! Naughty girl! But we still love her!!!

Chelane just got back from her adventure in Guatemala. Dad was worried about her the whole time she was gone but she made it through a few scrapes, an active volcano, quake destroyed churches, and the most amazing place she has ever been, Semuc Champey. That is really saying something considering that Tikal was one of the places she went. She has amazing photographs she wants to share with us all. Welcome Home, girl!

March Trip to San Rafael

Janene and I went to the Swell (ostensibly to photograph wildflowers, but really just to get out of the smog) and went for a short hike ( 5 or 6 miles). The weather was beautiful, the sky clear, and the air fresh. We got a few pictures, some dinner in Price and then headed home.