Salamander Crossing 07

The yearly breeding migration of the black spotted salamander took place this past week. We organized a posse of kids who help the sallys cross the road. We were also able to to view them in their breeding pond. We saw dozens of them along with spring peepers and wood frogs. It was truely amazing. Griffin was in his glory. We were out until 10:30pm but he would have stayed all night. He was hanging with some Paul Smiths College students, showing them what he captured and what he observed, including "two wood frogs mating!". Ruby thought it was pretty neat but didn't quite understand. During the whole event she would say - when are we going to the salamander crossing? As if it was a store or something. We even put up a "watch out salamander crossing" sign.

Big ol' Snowman

Last time Griffin and I made a big snowman, it made it on the cover of the local newspaper. Griffin thought if we made it even bigger we might make the cover again.

Easter Buzz

We did our Easter egg hunt one day early because Mama had to fly to Montana on Easter Sunday. The kids did not disapprove. Goodies were found, breakfast was eaten and candy was disappearing all before 9:00am.

Ruby double fisting.

Strange egg.

Thanks for a great visit!

Thank you Grandma Sue and Grandpa Jim, we had a great time!

What a girl does in Pennsylvania

Ruby showed her stuff on the drum set. The only thing she was missing was the purple tutu.

Ruby's favorite photo posses often look something like this. This is what you get when you ask her to smile.

Following Griffin on the critter search.

Ruby sporting Daddy's favorite outfit.

While in Pennsylvania...

Griffin was very excited to see what types of critters the warm Pennsylvania weather had brought out. Leave it to him to find sheild bugs, centipeeds, potatoe bugs, salimanders, and a mama crayfish with baby crayfish cling to her belly.

Happy Birthday Otters!

We celebrated 3 very special Birthday today. Louie, Squeeker, & Squirt, the Otters at the Wild Center inTupper Lake, threw a excellent party complete with cake and party hats for the kids, and an ice cake with grapes, carrots, and apples for the Otters.







Griffin and Ruby watching the Otters eating their cake.



See what swims with us in the lake durring the summer.

Ridin' the Magic Carpet

We went skiing at Whiteface Mountain for the first time this year. It was easy convincing once I told the kids there was a magic carpet. The magic carpet is like one of those flat escalator things, and it takes you to the top of the kids slope. It was sunny, 40 degrees, and beautiful!
Griffin is a big fan of the magic carpet.

I told Ruby she would get to where a helmet with fire on it (Griffin bike helmet), and she asked if it purple fire on it. She always thinks fashion on the slopes.

At first Griffin used the wipe out method of stopping. But quickly learned his "snow plow". He even made some nice turns.