Days with the Dorans

A turkey came and visited my mom and she got these great pictures and THIS cool video! They really are cool birds!  

I'm not a huge fan of swans- they're really quite mean but I know the reason is because they are usually protecting their babies. For years, swans have nested near Nana and Papa's place and we've watched babies grow up. We always count and sadly the number always goes down as turtles and other things get them. We were at the lake and there was some commotion going on with the swans and I couldn't figure it out. The swans were going a bit nutty- and I figured it was a turtle or something. One of the babies was caught under the dock and the swan family was not going anywhere. It was hours until they finally swam away and we were able to go to the dock and see the baby.  It was caught under the dock and it was clearly hurt. Shelby and I were able to get it out but you could see a turtle probably got it. Shelby said we should just let it die but I'm a weird with animals as you know... I brought bread for the swan and once we freed the baby swan we t...

When we were looking to move from the home I bought (Yes~ I saved all my $ and bought my own house when I was 24), it wasn't easy. Thankfully we sold that starter home for a little profit and were excited to move into something bigger. We stayed away from newer builds because in the end we missed the mature trees. I drove by our current house many times without a second look because I didn't like the way it looked from the street. The realtor suggested we just take a look. The house was perfect inside right down to the paint colors. There was a pink room for Al, a blue room for Joe, a large light green room with two closets for the baby I was expecting (Z), and the master color even matched our comforter. But it wasn't just the inside we fell in love with, we loved the backyard. Walking into it feels totally secluded and quiet. I love the mature trees and all the hostas and ferns that line the perimeter. What I don't love, is weeding... but there is a certain satisfact...

It is strange to wake up and look out my window and see an empty next. For the last few weeks we have been captivated by the view outside our window. First we noticed a nest. Then I got to watch as the mother bird laid her eggs (which was very cool). We watched as she sat upon them day and night with short breaks to grab some food. I finally got wise and started taking some video which I first posted here. We learned that there were three babies in that tiny nest and each day they seemed to change (and I thought my babies grew up fast...) They started as hairless little creatures, to creatures with sealed eyes and a few feathers, to little baby birds. Each day I watched as the mommy and daddy robin would come and feed their little babes and take away their waste ( Ewww ... guess I never thought about how they used the bathroom in that nest until I looked out my window). They brought worms each morning and berries throughout the day. And then last week Wednesday I noticed there w...

I've been stuck in my room working all day on assessments, report cards and student gifts while Jeff and the Bigs have been outside playing. I have to admit I was a little jealous, but then I looked out my window...

It has been a busy spring. Every weekend it seems there has been something going on- T-ball, birthday parties, church, stuff for work... I have had no time to actually work around our house. I look at my flower beds and it has been killing me that not only are there no flowers in them, but they are also full of weeds and no where near ready for planting. So today we finally had nothing on the agenda for the day. I got a walk in and then spent hours pulling weeds and raking leaves from under some of the trees that we missed in the fall. Zach came out and helped me. He had his rake and was so proud to be helping- (and he actually did a good job!) It wasn't long though, before he found a friend- a paterpillar . (aka a caterpillar) With all the excitement, Ali Jane also found a caterpillar (named Angelia) and the two of them had fun talking to their new friends. I felt a little bad for Zach's paterpillar . He held on to him pretty tightly and pet him with his other hand as...

Our dog Cobi Jones was barking outside and since the sun was shining, I took Sean Asher with me out on the deck to see what all the commotion was and couldn't believe my eyes... A turkey was in our tree!!! I love where we live and though it is getting more built up everyday, we still see wildlife around us. (I saw three deer on my way to work the other day.) What I have NEVER seen is a turkey in a tree. We live near a great park, which also is the home to horses, pigs, roosters, peacocks and other fun animals. I am wondering if this little guy came from there. After snapping some pictures, (and waking up the entire house as I called Jeff to 'Come quick and see this!') we went back in to put down the littles for naps. I went back out to ask my new friend a question- but he was already gone... though I think I know the answer... Can turkeys really fly that high?