I Climbed A Tree

 

This poor little bird fell out of the nest that his momma spent all spring gathering twigs for. 

I found Sport cradling the bridie in his hands with big ol' tears in his eyes.

We had grown attached to the bird family living in the tree outside our front door.

So, I was a little crushed to see the baby bird all on it's lonesome.

I was sure his momma would miss him, but she didn't have any way to get him back up in their nest.

So I googled (how did I live without google before?) what to do with a lone baby bird that can't get back in it's nest.

Sure enough, I found all kinds of tips!

I learned that it's only a myth that momma birds won't take their babies back once they've been touched by human hands.

I also learned that if we could place the baby back in the nest, or place the baby in a new nest (as long as it was in the same tree), the momma bird would call to him until she found her baby and would continue to care for him until he was ready to fly!

Pretty cool, right?

Sport had a big smile for me once I shared the news.

Then he asked me when I would put the baby back in his nest...

UHhhh....

So, I climbed a tree.

It wasn't as easy as it use to be!

And, frankly...it was a little terrifying.

Mr. JP gave me a boost and I started hunting for the mysterious nest.

I never did find the nest.

Maybe it got blown out?

But, the kids happened to still have a nest from a neighbors house. 

So, Mr. JP placed the nest and the baby bird in a bucket and hoisted them up to me...

Once I found a stable place for the nest WAY up in that tree,

I secured the nest and the baby.

Then took a picture to prove to Sport that I really did it.

When I looked down, I found Sport making his way up to check it out for himself!

He just needed that reassurance, I guess :) 

 

Believe it or not, the momma came back! 

We watched her circle the tree and heard her singing for her baby. 

 Our baby bird grew up and flew away just a couple weeks later. 

The kids were thrilled! 

 And so was I. 

I'm so glad I didn't sacrifice my favorite lounge pants (covered in tree sap) for nothing!

Aug. 2012

Sleep

{She was not happy when Sport tried to wake her up}

This is how we all felt the day after our Bear Lake adventure.

Completely exhausted and sleep deprived.

It's going to take a week to catch up!

But, so worth it.

July 2012

Bear Lake-Day 3 & 4 (We Go On Vacation To Eat)

I've got to have my peach cheesecake shake fix from the Quick N Tasty to share with Mr. JP (He usually gobbles most of it up.  When will I learn to just get my own?), before heading back home! 

It's oh-so-tasty!!

And it's tradition :) 

We get one every year, even the kids know their favorite flavors. 

Sport: Cotton Candy. Princess: Strawberry. Minnie: Raspberry. 

Some of the cousins waiting for our very large order to be ready!

Mmmm...yummy! 

They had no problem eating the whole thing...

 

Pizza, pizza!

Oh yay...it's one of the best things in.the.world.

Or maybe we're just famished after spending ALL day on the lake...

Either way, it's a favorite.

They're singing a little tune.  

Forgive the mouths full of food!

My boy and I have the same taste when it comes to pizza. 

Load that baby up with everything, we say :)

Mr. JP with his momma...

Grandpa John and Uncle Morgs waiting on their pizza...

 

Sun-fried, exhausted, and loving life with my redneck cowboy...

The best pizza crust he's ever had!

The kids look forward to riding the rides after filling up on pizza...

Full tummies and ready for bed.

The girls got to sleep over together in the cabin and thought it was the coolest thing EVER.

Cousin E. was a little disappointed though when the rest of the girls zonked out five minutes after we tucked them in!

They were worn out.  Just the way we like 'em :)

The smell of pancakes, eggs and bacon is THE BEST thing you can wake up to. 

It puts a smile on even the most sleep deprived faces (mine)!

It's time to head back home.

And we are sad to say goodbye.

But, we are also too worn out to think about it right now!

Our girls enjoying the sunshine with their fruit punch while we cleaned the cabin and loaded the vehicles...

Sport just insisted on taking his dried up snake treasure home with him.

I made him promise not to mount it on his bedroom wall (he's been known to do that!)...

Until next year.

Farewell, Bear Lake!

July 2012

Bear Lake- Day 3 (Boat Fun)

It's a beautiful day on the lake.

And everyone's looking forward to a good time on the boat with Grandpa John!

Sport's buddies cheering him on as he flies on the tube...

Cool dude...

Dad trying to get a little crazy!

What a hunk.

Minnie enjoying the ride with her cousin M.

Minnie all suited up and ready to join in the fun with big bro. and cousin G.

Oh yay!! No hands! 

They're such a hoot.

Uncle Morgs in all his awesomeness...

Cute cousin K. waiting for her turn!

Cousin love! 

We found these two just chillin' on the boat together, holding hands.

Minnie thinks cousin C. is "so cute" and wanted to "keep him safe"! 

Melts my heart :)

Minnie was tuckered out! 

She passed out to the hum of the boat engine and rocking of the waves.
Why can't that be me?
Love it.

There's that creeper/cowboy/redneck stalking our cute pictures again! 

{Love this picture, Kate. HaHa!}

See what I mean? 

 

{She loves her daddy regardless}

There are no words.

Just a lot of laughs.

I'm already missing that blue water!

July 2012

Bear Lake-Day 3 (Beach Fun)

 {BFF's-Minnie, Princess, cousin E. and K.}

Sand and water...the best babysitter!

We were lucky enough to find a shady tree to set up our beach camp for the day,

so I laid out our blanket and caved in to my exhaustion while my hunk of a husband gave baby Timmy a tour of the beach, and the kids built their sand castles in the sand. 

It felt good.

Thank goodness this playground is right on the beach! 

Our monkeys wanted to take a break from digging to swing on the monkey bars,

and I didn't want to move from my comfy, shady spot on the beach...

This girl has mastered the monkey bars.

She use to scare me to death!

Now I just cheer her on.

She can fly across these things!

Minnie prefers the single bar.  

Can't say that I blame her!  

Sport taking five...

Little Timmy blue eyes just hanging out with mom...

The girls came to say Hi!

The shade feels so nice after spending hours in the sun.

Grandma Edie waiting for someone to take these bad boys off her hands!

Way to go, Grandma :)

Splash wars!

These cousins have a blast together. 

It was a hoot, and a little scary, watching them play on the water tramp...

Sport protecting his ship from Pirate G.!

Mr. C. taking a little break on his momma...

Sport talking things over and making plans with his cuz...

Princess loved the slide!

Our sweetie wading her way back to the beach...

Aunt Adrienne has the magic touch! 

Timmy fought sleep all afternoon on mom, but the moment Aunt Adrienne took him in her arms, he laid his head on her shoulder and passed out. 

She's just awesome like that.

Precious little boy.

I adore you.

July 2012