Critters part 2

Lets play of a game of can you find the critter? See if you can tell by looking at this photo:

Here are a few more:

When we moved here we found out that there is a very good possibility while we live here we will run across a Copper Head Snake! It is a venomous snake from the pit viper family. Lovely! I hope to never have a picture of one of those from the back yard. Because of this possibility we have talked at length with the girls what to do if they ever encounter one. And we also are removing any dead debris from the yard. Because of the drought there is quite a lot. We were clearing a wood pile on the side of the house and found this little family of frogs

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We found a little baby and my mom caught it in her hand for the girls to see. Here I am holding it in a jar to show them, it was very jumpy. Don't worry PETA we let it go back by its mommy.

Here is an easier photo, they hide for a long time by the fence. They were fun to see, but alas no names.

Random Copper Head facts: They are typically known for being the less venomous of the venomous snakes and bites are almost never fatal.

Random Frog Facts: When they eat they don't chew, just swallow. Frogs eat insects and small rodents. BONUS!

What critters live in your back yard?

Let me introduce you to our newest friend Amy. As you may have noticed Amy is an armadillo. One morning my mom looked out the window and found her. She played in the back yard for about 3 hours and then moved on. We were able to have a great view as she was digging around trying to find grubs. Now we know who has been digging the holes. We are sad to say we have only seen her the one time, but hope to see her again.

Random armadillo fact: they are one of a few non-human mammals that can contract leprosy. They are blind, but have huge eyes.

The Stars at Night are big and bright!

The Erickson's are moving to TEXAS!!!!!! Yee haw! Eli has decided to go back to school to get his MBA and we are so excited to be headed to the Lone Star state to do it. We Erickson's girls are so proud of him and can't wait to start saying howdy and y'all.

For Papa

Today we went to visit the Huntington Library for their free Thurday. I have lived here for 7 years and this was the first time we went. Every time my parents come for a visit Eli tells me that we should take my dad here, that we will love it. Well Eli was right my dad would love it. So this post is for him. If you know my dad then you know we loves Bonsai tree's. Here is just a few of the amazing bonsai we saw. When the girls first saw them they wanted to get a picture of with them to sent to papa, so we did. Aubree wanted to make sure the lizard was also in the picture so we got a close up as well. ENJOY!












There were many many more, so we will just have to take papa when he comes next.

March 2011 Goal

Soon after we moved to Cali Eli's mom gave me most of Eli's pictures as a child. When I first got them I scrap-booked a bunch of them but never finished. As the amazing scrap-book stuff collector I have everything I need to finish I just haven't, but now I will. My goal for March is to finish his book. So when I report in April I will take a few pictures of my favorite pages to show you. Wish me luck. If anyone wants to get together and scrap-book let me know.

February Goal:recap

Through out the month I tried hard to de-junk and organize the different rooms in our apt. I was able to pretty much finish the entire apt. The only problem is just because everything, for the most part, doesn't have a place doesn't mean they stay there. Through out the month I tried to stay on top of the picking up as well and would honestly say I somewhat better about my apt. Its funny how when we moved in I thought we would never be able to fill the apt, and now we have way to much stuff, guess thats what you get for having 2 kids. :) I have some bigger projects that are taking some serious thinking.

ie: we have a 400 disk dvd player and the remote has stopped working. Its harder to use without the remote, and we haven't ever really loved it. So do we get a new remote, get rid of the thing, or do nothing? Mean while I have kept all the dvd cases, which why keep the cases if you aren't storing anything in them? Maybe just keep the seasons of shows cases and put the rest in a disk book? If anyone has a great idea I would love to hear it.

I have also kept up on making dinner, and am amazed at how easy it is when you have a plan.

New toy

While out on a date last weekend Eli and I were at the mall and we wondered into one of our favorite stores William Sonoma. We purchased a Popsicle maker. You put the thing in the freezer for 9+ hour and then right infront of your eyes it makes the popsicles. It was a huge hit. The only catch you have to use real sugar, or 100% juice. So far we have tried California Gold (fresh tangerine juice)- DELICIOUS! Chocolate milk- moose bar anyone, and apple juice- didn't really work. It has become our new favorite thing to do. Here are the girls modeling with the popsicle.
So come on over and we will make our very own Popsicles right in front of your eyes.