Wordless Wednesday

 

Maverick still insists that he's "just a baby" and most certainly a lap dog. 

SPRING!

Linking up with mama Kat again for writer's workshop. If you want to learn more, click the box at the bottom of this post. 

Share a list of 7 things you love about Spring.

1. I love the warming temperatures. Those lows are "warm" enough to leave our window cracked at night and not freeze! 
   
   
   
   
   
2. BABIES! 
   
   
   
   
   While the nesting moms and protective dads are not fun seeing all the babies running around is just a joy! 
   
   
   
3. Flowers
   
   
   
   
   Just when I'm getting sick of the dreary gross weather, little shoots of green start to pop out, the trees start flowering and nature wakes up. I freaking love spring flowers. <3  
   
   
   
4. Opening the house. I love the breeze that comes through. sometimes we smell the flowers, or a neighbor's bbq. I just love the fresh air. 
   
   
   
   
5. The birds are back with their (mostly) happy songs. We have a few feeders out front, and as long as the bird flu stays away from Boise, they will stay up. I'm looking forward to getting some more pictures of them this year. 
   
   
   
   
   
6. The day light hours are getting longer. I love it when I have to go into the office and still isn't dark. Makes it just a little bit easier to get going when in the morning it is actually light outside. 
   
   
   
7. Asparagus season. It is a vegetable that our whole family loves! 
   
   
   
   
   

   What about you, what do you love about spring? 

   
   

This post inspired by: 

Wordless Wednesday

 

Kathryn Albertson Park, April 23, 2022 

Wordless Wednesday

 

One year ago - Marathon, Florida 

Wordless Wednesday

 

This goose is FROSTY! Love it! 

Oregon Vacation: Part 1

Saturday, July 17

Natalie still loves taking the selfies with my phone - sometimes they include the dogs!

Saturday, July 17

My bff's youngest. Another pic. Shared the first one here.

Sunday, July 18

The first kitty on our vacation edition of "Tour of Cats." We came to see her newest addition, Munchkin, but she was feeling under the weather. This is Nutmeg who graced us with her presence. Usually she's hiding from company. 

This is a picture I "stole" (asked if I could use) of Munchkin. Feeling much better now. We briefly saw her during our visit. 

Wednesday, July 21

The usual view I had of Natalie and McKayla. Alivia spent all her time with Roselyn, my brother's 8 year old daughter. 

Thursday, July 22

McKayla seems to be the cat whisperer. She's always loving on them! This is Smokey, our friend Tabi's "barn cat" (just means he is an outdoor cat who is responsible for keeping the mouse population down around her property)

Thursday, July 22

Natalie not amused with mom taking pictures of her. I think this one just shows how freaking long her legs have gotten! 

Thursday, July 22

And Smokey just being a cat. He was so freaking friendly! 

Saturday, July 24

My father in law's cat Kit. Not so friendly (she's an only child with a single dad :P) but super playful

Saturday, July 24

She has two kinks in her tail which makes it look almost curly lol. 

Saturday, July 24

Stephen took us by this cool totem on our way home from his dad's place. I had to stop and snap a picture. 

Going to stop there for now. Will add more pictures (and stories) later this week (maybe next) 
 

Florida Trip Recap Part 2

Monday, February 15

Got to move into our first onsite room. It's more like a mini apartment which was wonderful. The room came with two queen size beds, a couch, a kitchen and space for us to move. 

While we were waiting for our room to get ready, we were able to take advantage of one of the amenities of Pip's, kayaks! The girls complained the whole time. Natalie and I shared a two person one, the rest of the family was all on their own. The wind was quite strong and somehow, Stephen got blown out so far he was unable to make it back on his own. The panic took over and eventually a wonderful couple rescued him with their boat. 

One of the few pics I got while in the kayak. 

We got to have lunch at Porky's, it is basically "on site" so super convenient. While there we tried some new foods like seaweed salad, lobster bisque, and spicy Bahamian seafood chowder. Only McKayla and I liked the seaweed salad, but we still weren't able to finish it. Maybe if we hadn't also ordered fish fingers, deep fried pickles and fries we could have. It was wonderful though.

One of my drinks 

The signs speak truth! 

The inside ceiling of Porky's

A bit of the décor - didn't notice this 
the first few times we went in

Tuesday, February 16

Started the day off strong by heading to the Dolphin research center. I have never seen them in real life, so it was pretty amazing. One thing I especially loved was this staff member's dog has been coming to the center for years, he is FRIENDS with one of the dolphins. It was so sweet, the dolphin brought a "present" for it. So sweet! I love unlikely friendships and seeing one in person was so fun.

We also got to watch a couple dolphin shows where the trainers have the dolphins do tricks. All their "enclosures" were just netted off areas in the gulf. Lots of room for them to swim in a natural environment. At times I just sat there and watched them swim and play with each other. 

All three of the girls and Stephen were quite impressed as well. There was a small area with several caged birds, rescues I think. Then we came across Blue. He is a giant blue macaw. I guess he was hand raised by an older woman and never learned to fly. It was amazing to just look at him. 

Blue!

We were able to spend the rest of the day relaxing in our space and enjoying the Florida weather. The docks are so relaxing to walk on, I took several strolls around enjoying the wildlife. 

Mavrick Turns 2!

February 11, 2013 

February 13, 2018

March 3, 2018

June 17, 2018

July 20, 2019

November 30, 2019

I wrote a series of hikus back in 2018, this one fits well

Dogs bring laughter 

They give love and affection

Take our everything

Dogs are friends, children

more then just a pet for sure

priceless companions

Nothing can replace

The love of a faithful dog

He will sit and stay

Dogs are more then pets

Giving far more then they take

Dog is man's best friend

Mavrick is such a ham. He watches TV and goes crazy every time there is an animal on there (especially a dog or other four legged creature who is "talking"). He is the first dog I've had who gets so into the TV. It gets a little irritating when I want to watch a dog show or even a non-dog show that involves a pet (dog walker on a regular tv show just winds him up like no other!) 

He is an avid chewer and has gone through the bark box toys that Odin has been hoarding. We attempted to upgrade for a while, but he didn't like the "stronger" toys and they were really just more dangerous then the fluff being all over the living room. So, we just deal with mutilated toys. We haven't had a box recently that he doesn't immediately chew up at least one of the toys the first day or two. 

I'm hoping to get him in training because I can't seem to do it on my own. He will sit and lay down and do other "tricks" when food is involved, but otherwise, forget about it. Leash training is a joke. I would just love to be able to take him out and about without worry of a shoulder dislocation. (suggestions of dog training in the Boise area that won't cost me an arm and a leg would be awesome!) 

Can't believe this sweet boy is two today. While I was reluctant to have another dog, I can't imagine my life without him. He is my snuggle buddy and guard dog. My girls' protector and Odin's playmate. While I don't love the kisses, I can't imagine my life without that sweet face in it.

WW: Spring in Boise

Linking up with Mama Kat again this week for writers workshop. If you want to learn more about it, click the link at the bottom of this post. The prompt I chose this week is: Show us what Spring looks like in your neck of the woods. We were blessed this year with a lot of snow which means we have a lot of melt along with a lot of rain. That equals flooding here in the valley. That with the spring flowers and animals coming back out is what I love.

This post inspired by:

God in His Creation

This weekend was a quiet one, the girls are with their dad and Stephen and I were able to take things easy and just enjoy time with each other. We went to church as usual on Sunday, had a wonderful discussion during Sunday school about last week's sermon (didn't read about it? Check it out by clicking the link). We went in for service and Stephen's anxiety started acting up. After trying multiple methods to stop it, we finally decided he needed to get out. Right before the message we left, made me feel a bit guilty, but I am sure God understands.

Had fun trying to capture the beauty of this bald cypress tree. 

Outdoors seems to be the place where he is most at peace, so we decided to use our annual membership and go to Zoo Boise. A trip without the kids made things so relaxing and casual. We could enjoy watching the animals without the kids rushing us through.

The giraffes were especially interesting yesterday. Did you know they head butt each other? It was the craziest thing to watch. Almost painful when you heard the sound of one giraffe's head hitting the other's back.

This is one where they were hitting each other.  

Making up. They still like each other! 

I just love this one, crossed over each other like this. 

Just watching them made wonder what God was thinking when he created these guys. The pattern on their bodies, trails right down the legs, the funny horn/bumps on their heads. Those long necks. Did you know that giraffes have the same number of vertebrae as humans? They are just a lot bigger!

We also got the opportunity to feed them. It was kind of funny, the zookeeper kept telling us we were on "giraffe time" because Julius (an 11 year old giraffe) wasn't really wanting to stay in his normal spot for being fed by zoo patrons. I guess the other one isn't big on the zoo feeding encounter. He's six years old. Did you know their tongues are black? And soooo long!

I don't usually take so many pictures, but the animals seemed to be posing, just for me.

This fish was even photogenic. I loved his lips, they were opening and closing, almost like he was talking to me.

This is the papa patas monkey, DJ. He looked so distinguished just sitting there watching us. This monkey is actually a second time daddy. The newest baby was born on July 20. I really, really, really tried to get a picture of it (gender is still unknown) but I think it was nursing/nap time.

While waiting to feed the giraffes we got to watch the zebras awhile. I was kind of surprised to see how big it's ears were. I don't know why I didn't notice that before. One thing I love about the zebras is that their hair follows the color of their stripes. Quite unique, at least in my opinion.

We also took some time to really look at the different birds. Forgive me, I don't remember all their names. I can tell you where they are in the zoo though! This is another of His creations that just astonishes me. The multitude of colors and the different shapes of the separate varieties of birds. Each one is unique.

Most of the penguins have stopped molting so they are back in the water. Isn't it amazing how their feathers are specifically designed so they can swim? I love to watch them but sometimes the underground viewing area can be quite noisy with all the excited children.

The tiger was pacing the whole time we were watching. It amazes me how big those paws are!

The maned wolves were also out and about in their exhibit. Often they are sleeping when we are there. It was nice to see them Yet another creature with giant ears! Crazy how much they reminded me of our little doggie at home, the way the ears moved and the posture he had.

By the end of our visit, both Stephen and I were ready to nap like this red panda. Stephen was teasing me, telling me he was going to pet it. I threatened to call his Nana and he stopped, but he looks so soft! I wanted to touch him as well, but we both resisted.

That was our afternoon at the zoo. I loved being able to really spend some time with the animals. Planning to make more trips on our own this year.