Jumping!

Swimming!

Max and his daddy have been hitting the pool quite a bit lately (not me, I have to read and do homework for my summer class) but I do get over to watch for a little while.  Last year Max refused to wear any type of life preserver so whoever was in the pool with him had to be on high alert!  This year though he will wear one so he has a lot more freedom and we have a lot more relaxation in the pool.  Maybe next year we can start some swim lessons!

Swimming with his fish named Gulpa. 

Owl Banding

So anyone who has come to visit us here in Texas has probably met Fred and Nancy.  They are friends, neighbors, advisors and fellow admirers of Max.  In other words all around good people!  They have been conducting studies on the nesting eastern screech owl population for many years now and always use the chick banding as an opportunity to educate people about these wonderful birds.  The nice thing about having an "in" with Fred and Nancy is that we get priority when it comes to owl banding.  Max and I "helped" one afternoon and were rewarded with Max holding one of the nestlings.  Please don't worry... he did this under expert supervision and the chicks tend to play dead even though they are perfectly fine.  Max had a great day!

First hatchling of the day.  It did not play dead but instead watched us warily and clicked it's beak at us!  We generally have nothing to fear from the babies as long as you stay away from the talons which are quite sharp for such tiny birds!  Oh, and you have to keep looking up for Mama!

Fred helping Max hold one of the babies.  We wanted to make sure it didn't get it's talons on Max and that Max didn't drop it!

This chick went for playing dead as a defense but it helped Max hold on to it carefully.

New Computer

My technology problems have finally be resolved.  What this means is that I no longer have an excuse to not post on the blog!  Haha!  We had these pictures taken a few weeks ago when the wildflowers were really in bloom.  We did miss the bluebonnets by a couple of weeks.  I have wanted our pictures in the bluebonnets since we moved here!  We've only missed out for the last 5 years not!  Maybe next year... but the pictures with the indian blanket made for pretty pictures as well.  Thanks to Rachel Craig for the photos!

Getting the Hang of It

Max is really getting good at riding his tricycle.  We keep it at the new house so that is one of the reasons he is always excited when we go over there.  His steering still not great and he has yet to learn that you cannot ride on the grass, but other than that his riding and coordination is much improved.  He can even ride backwards (which is great so I don't have to go and pull him out of the bushes every time)!  The remodel is coming along and I am really looking forward to posting some after pictures!!!

Move over Maria Sharapova...

there is a new grunter in the tennis world.  And please don't worry... no filmmakers were harmed in the making of this video.  

Under the Deadline

Phew!  I just made it!  Since starting the blog I have posted something every month... but I almost made it through April with no new pictures or videos for the two people who still look occasionally.  Things are really hectic here.  My semester is wrapping up in a week or two and Curtis has been extra busy at the office lately (which is a good thing... it just means less time home with us on certain nights).  We are also knee deep (literally, there are massive, gaping holes in what is supposed to be a beautiful master bathroom) in the remodeling of the new house.  This weekend we are headed to Carlsbad for a quick visit and to see Sadie dance in her end of the year recital.  Max has been talking about seeing Sadie dance and keeps talking about going to the beach with Lili "tomayo"which is Max speak for tomorrow.

Here are a few pictures from last weekend.  Waco had a family festival and touch-a-truck event.  The truck and tractors were a BIG hit with you-know-who and still talks about the backhoe nearly everyday.  I have a couple of videos to post as well, but they may have to wait for May!

Sitting in the Fire Truck.  Good thing we did this part early because it was gone when we left.

This tractor was fully loaded... and totally huge!

 See what I mean?  Those are some big wheels!

This is the first and LAST time I ever want to see Max in the back of a police car.  It was hard to get a good picture because the glare was so bad and I didn't want him to get scared with the door closed.

"Scoop and dump!"

He was not interested in either the baby cow or the miniature horse in the pen.  The chickens were a big hit on the other hand.

This is Max... sitting with Max.