Hummingbird Feeder

Emily wanted to know what my hummingbird feeder looked like so here it is  This year I wanted to be able to watch the hummingbirds, so I bought this pole and put it outside of my office window with the feeder and a red plant to attract them.  The males come back from Cuba earlier than the females to build a nest that’s located near a feeder so I put it up early to attract them, and I get to enjoy the plant as well.

Best Nest ~ Flying Time

Well, the babies have flown the nest, and as I walked around the house I saw the Moma and Papa bird up on the roof probably watching over their little ones learning to fly.  I was finally able to get a picture of them and as best as I can tell they must have been some type of sparrow.  It’s been about a month from the time that I discovered the eggs until today when the nest was empty.

What is This?

I saw this at church this morning with another one close by going around in circles.  It must be mating season.  Okay Emily you can guess now.  P.S. Does anybody else know?

Spring Flowers ~ April & May 2011

I have enjoyed the flowers that have bloomed this Spring.  We have had a mild spring so everything has blossomed early.

 

This is a Lilac Bush I bought last year at the end of summer and I was so surprised to see it get so big and have so many blooms.

 

I picked up 2 of these barrel tubs at the end of summer and planted the pansies early last fall.  They went through the winter blooming the whole time even when we had snow. 

When I got this Clematis it was so small I didn’t even know what color the blooms would be.  It survived the winter, snow and all.  This spring it really popped out with blooms and it’s still blooming.

This plant is from last year and it completely died back in the winter then started growing in the spring.  For the life of me I can’t remember what it’s called.  It will hit me as soon as I publish this.  If anyone knows what it is clue me in.  I also have some of these in the front flower bed as well..

This Begonia is by the front door in my old wooden barrel that I’ve had for years.  It wintered upstairs with some other plants.

I probably should have waited to take this picture because this Daylily is just about to pop out with blooms, but I wanted to show JoAnn how I sewed ribbons onto the side of my flag so it will stay in place when it’s windy and keeps it from blowing off.  You can barely see it but there is also a tie on the bottom.

The front porch bird houses were all cleaned up and ready for the birds when they came back in the spring, but so far no takers, (they liked my hanging Boston Fern better).  This is another one of the Begonias that I was able to keep alive in the upstairs bedroom along with my 3 ferns over the winter months.  They were pale and smaller when I brought them down, but with a little Miracle Gro they greened up and began to bloom..

I bought this Hydrangea at Costco, It was so beautiful I couldn’t resist it.  It reminds me of the ones we had at Michelle and Josh’s wedding. 

Water Fun ~ May 26, 2011

The weather was so nice we had to get out and finally use the water wiggle on the end of the hose.

They love to play in the outside toy storage box.

Abby and Jackson were loving the water wiggle

 

Davis looks like he’s contemplating taking the plunge.

Swimming in Style

We spent Tuesday afternoon swimming at Clint’s house.

Jackson in his swimmobile.

Lunch, YUM!!!

Best Nest

The picture below was taken May 22, 2011 and it looks like two eggs did not hatch and only two baby birds are in the nest now.  I know there were at least three that hatched because they had their mouths open when I took one of the pictures.

This picture was taken May 26, 2011.  The baby bird or birds are getting bigger.

Yard Work / Picnic Time ~ April 7, 2011

I was going out in the front yard to do some trimming and a few cleanup projects and Abby wanted to come out with me.  So we put a pair of my garden gloves on her and she came out to help.

You can see how well they fit.  So the next time we went shopping we found a pair of gloves her size.

Then Amber came out with Davis and a blanket because he woke up from his nap. 

Soon out came the snacks and lunch . . .

Then the umbrella came out . . .

and Jackson woke up . . .

And what do you know we had a full fledged picnic going on.  And I actually got finished what I wanted to do.  It was fun!.

Test Driving ~ April 8, 2011

Amber and I were in Toys R Us looking at 2-seater cars for the boys.  Money was given to them for their 1st birthday to purchase one.  So immediately Abby found this one that she liked and they all had to sit in it.  But, unfortunately for Abby, Amber and Dustin picked a more gender neutral one that looked more durable.  It actually is bigger and has a place in the back to haul stuff.

 

 

 

Cousin Jenny’s Visit ~ April 11, 2011

Jenny came to visit while on a business trip to the Charlotte area.  She drove up to Lexington on Monday afternoon.  After dinner the weather was so nice we sat outside and talked while Abby, Davis and Jackson played.  The kids took to her immediately.  It was great to be able to sit and visit and catch up on the family.  Unfortunately she had to leave early the next morning for her appointments.  It made us wish we lived closer to enjoy these times more often.  Thanks Jenny for your visit and for the special things you brought Abby, Davis and Jackson.   Come again soon.!!!

 

 

 

 

 

Greensboro Natural Science Center ~ 4/14/11

Amber found out about the science center in Greensboro so we went on a day trip when Dustin was out of town.  When we got to Greensboro we had lunch at Chick fil A and then went to the science center.  After that we did a little shopping at Target and the Friendly Center Mall.  Then it was time for dinner so we ate at a place called Carolina Cafe.  We had quiche and a salad, it was pretty good and very reasonable.

 

Abby crawled right up in there even though the two little girls were already in there.

 

 

Abby was not afraid of the sheep and goats.  They also provided brushes for the kids to use.

 

Abby is always good to let us take pictures of her behind these type of picture boards.

 

They had several large dinosaurs in this area.  When you walk by a certain spot the dinosaur  ROARS!!!

They had a play area where the kids could play and run and have hands-on the exhibits.  It will definitely be more fun for the boys when they can walk.

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The boys loved this kitchen.  They do the same thing with their kitchen at home.

Atlantic Beach ~ May 7, 2011

After the aquarium we went back to the hotel and then went down to the beach.

 

Abby’s ready to go!

The weather was really nice out there with a gentle breeze

We had to watch the boys closely when we first sat them down so that they would not put sand in their mouths.  After a little while they just played with the sand toys.  I love those little legs and feet!

Abby was in her own zone playing with the sand.  It was fun seeing three little kids with hats just sitting and playing and basically doing their own thing in the sand.  Discovery time!

 

 

 

Jackson’s turn to go into the water.

 

Dustin brought water up in the pails for the kids to play with.  Abby was trying to bury Amber’s feet in the sand.

Amber and I was watching Jackson crawl on the sand then he stopped and just stayed in the same spot for a while.  I asked Amber what he was doing.  She said she thought he was going to sleep but didn’t want to put his head on the sand.  After I took this picture we picked him up and he definitely was ready for a nap.