Our Squirrels

This year for Christmas, Phil got a squirrel feeder from my parents (we both love squirrels). The weather finally was nice enough to hang it on our deck. You fill it with peanuts and the squirrels have to lift up the lid to get at the food. It took them about 24 hours to find the feeder and then another week and a half to figure out how to get the nuts out. They are still a bit leary of it - the lid does not stay up on its own and it scares them when it closes on them or slams shut. Today was the first day they actually had success. They only stick their head/nose in to grab the nut and then run away to eat it. They are hysterical to watch. Here are some photos of the learning process:

Just checking it out...










Nope... not quite!









Peek-a-boo!









Finally!









Enjoying their reward.

37 Weeks!

I am at 37 weeks so I am officially full term. The baby has dropped and my doctor says everything is looking good. I still feel great and am able to get around pretty well. I had the car seat installed in my car today so we're ready! I have a few more projects to wrap up around the house so hopefully that will keep me occupied for the next few weeks!

35 weeks!

I am at 35 weeks as of today. Only 35 days to go! I am still feeling great and my doctor is happy with how baby and I are doing. The weather has been so nice the past few days that I've been able to spend a lot of time outside. It definitely makes the days go by quicker when you're not stuck inside. I packed my hospital bag this week (with the exception of a few items I'll add at the last minute) and finished washing all the baby stuff. Here are a few photos - I'm getting really big!

And the winner is...

Castle A by a landslide! And 93% of you were correct - Castle A was created by Kristen. They symmetry probably gave it away!

Building Blocks

We would like to say "Thank You!" to Uncle Ken who made us (ok... we'll share with the baby when he/she gets old enough) an amazing set of wooden building blocks. Phil and I both built castles already and we each think the one we created is the best. Please vote for your favorite on the right. We're keeping it anonymous so the voting is fair! You can also vote on who you think created each castle.

CASTLE A


CASTLE B

33 Weeks!

I'm at 33 weeks today! Only 7 more to go... I am still feeling really good, although, I am definitely getting really big! We had our final birthing class last night and the hospital tour last week. I think I'm going to start washing all the baby stuff later this week!

Maran and Josh's Shower

This weekend, we went to Detroit for one of Maran and Josh's wedding showers. It was coed and involved some hands on time in the kitchen. It was held at a kitchen design center that had its own "demo kitchen." We had a nice appetizer/cocktail hour before being divided into groups. Each group was responsible for a different aspect of the meal. Despite some concerns along the way, everything turned out great.

A nice family photo (the studio also sells bathroom fixtures):








The boys were in charge of the salad (with candied walnuts) and side vegetable:








The girls were responsible for the lemon/pecan/parsley encrusted chicken: