Backyard Critters

I was our backyard flower garden yesterday and found this big eyed frog looking up at me. I hollered for the boys so they could play with it. So I ran inside and grabbed my camera to take a picture of Connor with this giant frog. Right after he picked up the frog it peed all over the place. We were all squeeling and laughing. We may have a small backyard but there is always something interesting flying, hopping or crawling in to entertain us!

Ryan's Beautiful Butterfly

Yesterday I was cleaning kitchen when our 4 year old son Ryan yelled, "Mom! Look out the window!" I got just as excited as he did because it was such a big and impressive butterfly. So, I grabbed my camera and ran out the door to take pictures. Ya see, right outside the kitchen window we planted a purple butterfly bush. We've had hours of enjoyment looking at all the various species of butterflies (both large and small) over the past few summers. The picture does not do this butterfly justice. I know I took at least 10 pictures of her. Look closely and you can see her antennae. She visited the bush for what seemed like an eternity. She flew from flower to flower, and would fly off only to return once again for us to admire.

The boys enjoy nature just as much as I do. My Papaw New gave me this love and appreciation for nature. All of my grandparents were farmers but Papaw New was the one who wasn't afraid to show his love. It didn't matter if it was his chickens, cows or the honey bees from his hive, he nurtured and talked to them all. Three generations later I get watch that same caring spirit in my boys when they talk to the critters in our backyard.

Today my new Samsung front load washer and dryer was delivered. I told my friend Christian that I must be getting old because I was so excited about getting a new appliance. I've never had so much fun doing eight loads of laundry in my entire adult life as I have today. We remodeled our family room (and the laundry area is off the family room so it got remodeled too) in just 3 1/2 weeks but during that time we didn't have a washer or dryer. Taking a weeks worth the laundry to my parents house made me feel like I was back in college again and home for a weekend visit. Only this time it was laundry for four instead of just one. My husband just called from work to see if I was having fun doing laundry and I actually said yes (and I meant it)! Well, I gotta go and do my last load! Yippee!!!