Shiver Me Timbers...Timber Rattlesnakes that is!

Yikes!!  One of these was found at our neighbors house this past weekend...seriously at our neighbor's house like right next door...in the rocks they have to hold up an embankment on the hill their house is built into...what is it you might ask??

A Timber Rattlesnake!  A docile snake as far as snakes go (at least that is what the website says) but I seriously don't want to get that close!  Fish and Game came out to capture this one and remove it to another location...they said it is the 4th they have removed from this area (between the neighbors and 1/4 mile down the street) this spring so far.

Our neighbors have lived here for over 20 years and its the first one they have seen!  I am hoping it is the last one for awhile.

Facts about the Timber Rattler...it is extremely endangered here in NH due to mining, development and people collecting them (?WHY?) and getting hit by cars.  They hibernate from November through May and use the same dens for generations.  They give birth to live young in the fall.  They love sunny outcroppings of rocks...just about our whole back yard because, after all, we live in the Granite State.

Even though that is really cool, I am concerned for our kids who stomp through the woods here everyday!  We went over some safety with them tonight at the dinner table and talked about being careful.

Shortly after moving to this area, we learned the hill we lived on was Rattle Snake Hill.  We were told not to worry, there aren't any around any more.  Well, guess that was a wrong statement!  Keeping our eyes wide open here in our little neck of the woods tonight and always!

The Pool, Snakes and Alligators

Last August a tree took out our pool. We had long discussions as to whether we would replace it but after a long process and many days of building the new deck around all the spring rains we have had -----the project was finished today! We are enjoying the bigger deck and new pool!

Earlier today while I was running errands with some of the littles, the boys were putting the finishing touches on the deck. When I arrived home and started unloading the few things I bought Harmony ran around back to check out what the boys were doing...she was barefoot as usual. She ran under the deck and ignored the boys telling her to stop! A large snake was under the deck and was running over the wagon ad other toys. She screamed and ran to tell me about the big snake! I dislike snakes very much---eww. Dad and the boys went on a search for it and cleaned out underneath....moving all the wood! I am excited about that part! I kept asking if the basement door had been closed. Harmony and Brandon assured me the door was closed and the snake disappeared. We still don't know where the snake went but alligators have now been sighted in the area!

Kiara, the Alligator wrestler

Harmony the star

Michael

Dad 'helping' Jason in

Brandon trying to relive his baby days



Jess the Seal tamer

Happy Birthday Michaela

She was the first...the first diaper I ever changed, the first baby I fed, the first to be snuggled in my arms... The first little one I fell in love with! Happy Birthday my dear sweet Michaela!-23 years old!!

Michaela Beth....Michaela means "Gift from God" and Beth means "God's Promise".  She is our gift and promise from God...we love the meaning in her name that the Lord gave to her!  Our sweet, sweet daughter who has been a blessing in our lives!

Michaela in 1999, the summer we moved to NH

Michaela getting Baptized by her dad in the Galucki's pool in Bedford, NH

Michaela today...her 23rd Birthday!

Her cake with 23 candles...and she didn't burn the house down!:)

The Weekend

We actually had a busy weekend at our place!

Liberty came home! She has been away for 2 months in training with our daughter, Jessica. She is looking great!

We went to Anya's graduation party. I just can't believe she is finished with high school! Besides lots of tasty treats...she treated us to a afternoon with Wildlife Encounter. We saw snakes, birds and even a wallaby! It was awesome and the kids were much braver than Mom!

We also did some work on the pool deck.



Liberty is looking fit after being worked so hard by Jess!

Jason testing out the new improved Liberty.

The boys watching the snake intently.

Jason was the video man for the the show.

This was one BIG snake!

Have to admit the Hedgehog was so cute...Jess is checking him out.

Jason is a trusty helper.

The Beginnings of Summer

Summer in New Hampshire is wonderful!! Wonderful opportunities abound playing on the beach, hiking in the mountains, kayaking on the lake, horseback riding or bike riding on the trails system plus the many attractions in our state or the ones close by.

This summer so far has included building a deck on the new pool ( a tree fell on our other one last August), horseback riding, biking, kayaking, beach time and projects around the house.  We have enjoyed our first few weeks of summer! Of late, we have many indoor days as it has rained daily but there are still plenty to do and we are enjoying ourselves!

Adventures With Our Visitors

My parents, sister and her daughter came for a visit this past week. We spent time catching up, playing with the kids and had a few adventures along the way.

My kiddos had horseback riding on Tuesday. Caris was excited to join them and did very well. She later announces to her mom that she wanted a horse! I tried to change her mind by dragging her out to the barn at 5 am to muck  stalls but she loved that...I think my sister is in trouble on that front!

We took a day trip to Fort Foster in Maine. It was an absolutely beautiful gorgeous day! We picnicked by the water, played at the play ground and in the surf.  My sister, Carolyn took the older kids out to look for treasures and found lots of them like crabs, sand dollars, razor clams and lots of plant life. I kept the younger ones and we found crabs, a shrimp that swam in our bucket for a bit, snails and many shells. My folks enjoyed watching the grand kids play together and relaxed a bit taking in the beautiful boats and light houses. The day was a gift.

That same evening, our last together, we all had dinner together and were joined by Michaela. We celebrated early for Darrell's birthday....mmmm...Aunt Carolyn splurged ad bought an ice cream cake for all of us to enjoy too.

Happy Birthday Darrell

What a beautiful day for a birthday! Happy birthday Darrell!!