A bunny

I saw a young bunny in the driveway when I was taking the trash out the other night. Rachael is absolutely crazy about bunnies, so I stopped and caught it to show her. She nearly went into cute overload when I brought it in and of course asked to keep it. I convinced her that a wild bunny wouldn't make the best pet, but it looks like I'd better start working on a hutch, because she is set on having a pet now. I have to admit, the little guy was pretty cute.

Hot Springs

We took a week off last week in Hot Springs, Arkansas. Despite being the birhtplace of Bill Clinton, Arkansas is a beautiful place. It was great to spend time away from the work enjoying time with my family. We went hiking, visited an alligator farm where we all got to pet a live gator, played in the river, and collected a ton of rocks. We even went to a diamond field where Derek was convinced he would strike it rich. We spent about 5 hours panning, but about all we got for our trouble was a lot of clean dirt.

Kevin's Birthday Cake

Kevin has always loved alligators and crocodiles (or as he calls them, chomp-chomps). This year, he asked for a chomp-chomp cake for his bithday. Virginia has gotten really good at creating unusual cake designs for the kids. Maybe she should go into business so I can retire...

Rachael's Recital

Rachael danced in her sixth recital this weekend. This year they did a production of Pocahontas. She had four roles; an indian, a baby bobcat, a snowflake, and a pearl. In this picture, she is dancing as a pearl. The first time I saw it, I couldn't believe it was my little girl. She is growing up so fast.

Chicken Pox Part II

So Derek apparently got off with a pretty light case. Rachael's is similar, though she's not very happy about it all. Kevin, however, has it pretty bad. Yesterday was his 7th birthday and he was pretty miserable the whole day. About the only thing that seems to help is oatmeal baths, and he never wants to get out of them. I can't say I blame him.

The "Chicken Pops" Strike

Two weeks ago, Derek broke out with Chicken Pox. The illness has a 10-21 day incubation period, and this morning Kevin woke up broken out. We are hoping Rachael will be spared, at least until her recital next weekend is over. If not, I guess she could be a leopard instead of a bobcat.

Baron

Rosie finally calved this morning. Another boy, unfortunately. Rachael is quite sad, since thes means he's destined for the freezer. We named him Baron in keeping with the nobility title theme.