Happy Easter 2009

What a gorgeous day......it makes me wish school was over that much faster. Robert got up early and made wonderful stuffed mushrooms with pork sausage from the pigs. He also made me breakfast in bed (thick piggie bacon and an apple turn over..mmmmm) We then headed to church were the little kids were just adorable and we spent most of mass whispering about all their outfits. From church we headed over to Jeremy and Michelle's for a wonderful get together with friends and their family. We had ham (from the piggies), turkey, stuffed mushrooms and all the fixings to go along with it. Robert and I helped hide Easter eggs out back for the kids Easter egg hunt. We had just as much fun hiding the eggs as the kids had hunting for them. After a lovely meal outside in the sunshine and a few good laughs we headed home to pick up the boys. Chris and his dog Tux joined us for a drive out to Horseshoe Springs for a early evening dip. Tux has never swam before so the boys quickly initiated him and he picked up the art of splashing around before long.

Robert and Chris

Tux sitting on the bank watching the boys......thinking "I don't know about this guys"

Tux trying to swim but more splashing...

Robert and Chris calling Tux over.

Once he got it down he was flying...(not swimming)

Chris and Tux...love this picture

As some of you may know Widgeon is an avid fisherdog. He takes after his father in that he loves to hunt and fish...he also comes home sorely disappointed and skunked. He has been trying to catch a bass or carp at Horseshoes springs for two years now and spends all his time watching the water then diving in if he sees a fish in the water ( horsehoe springs has very clear water) or if he sees one antagonizing him by jumping. Poor dog....it drives him crazy. He was so close this time and even put his head underwater but came up empty mouthed. He even tried to catch a muskratthat darted into the bank. Poor Widgy...he'll catch one before he leaves Utah. In the mean time it is extremely entertaining to watch and he has so much fun doing it.

Widgeon scanning the water for fish....

Widgeon swimming around looking for fish and muskrats.

I got one......nope I missed

Widgeon, Daddy and uncle Chris looking for the fish...

Mamma stop taking my picture....your interrupting fishing

See ma you made me miss a fish I heard it jump over there (lips flying as head turns)

Drake on the other hand only cares about fetching his rubber floaty stick.....
Stick....stick.....stick

Widgeon and Drake fetching stick

Tux and Drake playing

Handsome man

While the boys were playing and fishing....down at the other end of the springs I found a large group of American Avocets. I suspect they are using the area for breeding, as they typically show back up in March and their breeding season is from April to June. GSL counts of the American Avocet have exceeded 250,000 – greater than any other site within the entire Pacific Flyway. The GSL is an extremely important ecosystem to the American Avocet. I was also able to see non breeding Avocet which have a differing plumage that doesn't display the rust colored head.
Female on right, male on left (females beaks are more turned up)

Flock of American Avocets

Beautiful birds

It was such a wonderful sunny day. I even got sun burnt during the hour we were at the springs. It was great to get some fresh air and relax after a long week of exams and rain. These pictures make me long for more nice weather, camping, hiking and spending weekends at the lake.....makes it hard to study. At least the boys got out some energy before they are locked up in the house all week while I study.....speaking of I need to knock this blogging off and get back to it.....Happy Easter everyone...hope your days was as lovely as ours.

This about says it all....Drake and his stick.....Widgeon wouldn't look at camera he's too busy fishing.....Tux's head coming into view!!!