Magnolia liliflora 'Ann'

I love to landscape. Last fall we got a really good deal on plants from the garden center where I work. We planted a magnolia on the corner of our house and it's just beginning to bloom right now. 

Asa's Uncle Kris & Aunt Sarah hosted a 1st birthday party today for Asa & their daughter Emma. Emma & Asa were born only a few days apart! 

Ethan & cousin Josiah played in the dirt at Uncle Kris & Aunt Sarah's house. 

Asa & his birthday cupcake

The next 3 pictures sort of speak for themselves.

 

 

 

Bald eagle nest webcam

To those of you not yet acquainted, someone here in Maine has mounted a camera near a bald eagle's nest. If you have broadband, you can watch a live broadcast of what's happening. The site also has still pics for those of us that still use dial up.

See http://www.briloon.org

Maine Wildflower

A couple of weeks ago, I noticed a conspicuous splash of green in the woods near our house (in Maine, anything green is conspicuous at this time of year). I made a mental note to check that spot as Spring progressed. Today I noticed these beautiful blooms. I have identified it as a Purple Trillium, a member of the lily family. Very cool.

We have another interesting wildflower that grows around here: Jack-in-the-pulpits. As they begin to develop, I'll try to get a picture of one of them that I can post.

Ethan & Asa's cousin Josiah turned 3 last weekend! 

Uh oh

Here's another one for the "you take your eye off them for a minute" category... 

Wedding Trip

Emily & I took our family on a trip to Georgia to see Emily's last unwed sibling, Lance, get married. We stayed in the staff quarters of Marsh View Bible Camp, a Christian kids camp owned by a church in Midway, GA. We're very grateful for their generosity in letting us stay there. Having all of Emily's family in one spot made it much easier to spend time together. Enjoy the pix!

We stayed next to a big salt marsh. Beautiful, but lots of gnats 

Grandpa Ficek with Asa & Ethan 

Ethan with a catfish that Uncle Lance let him reel in 

We stayed at a camp that had several man-made ponds. Uncle Lance hooked a couple of catfish and let Ethan reel them in. 

Ethan & his dad 

Digging at the beach 

Emily's cousin Josh Ficek shamelessly sports a Care Bear towel. 

Building a sand castle