Meet the Birds and Crocs of Costa Rica: Hungry Heron Edition.

Squirrel Shenanigans

Covid-19 sucks but squirrels rock. 

We have had four kids living at home for 6 months, only three left now. I owe y'all an update but for now a funny squirrel video I created instead of traveling.

Enjoy, wash your hands, don't touch your face and this too shall pass! 

Every Vote Counts!

As you might know, yesterday was our New Hampshire primary election in which the top candidates all were pretty close. So last night I was watching the New York Times election results to see how things would pan out.

When our town came in, the result was 1,078 for Bernie, 1,075 for Pete Buttigieg. Only 3 votes of difference, still these three votes helped declare Bernie as our city's winner. Which made me ponder that if we hadn't gotten Erik to the polls for his first vote, and if one of us hadn't changed his mind last minute and voted for Bernie instead of Buttigieg, their scores would have been a tie.
And if I hadn't voted for Amy instead of Buttigieg, Buttigieg would have WON the town!

In addition, we know that at least one other member of our family voted for Bernie. So if they hadn't gotten a ride to the polls, poof! Even without me, Buttigieg would have won our city.

Hitting very close to home as an "Every vote counts!" moment. Interesting that our family actually could have made measurable difference in this particular election. Meanwhile our neighboring town easily went to Buttigieg, with a bigger margin.

Vote, people, vote, like your rights depend on it!

Back To School: 2019 Edition

Quick post documenting that we have only ONE school age kid left! After a nice summer holiday with Pre-Engineering Camp at Kent School, a trip to New York City to see a Broadway show (Mean Girls), attending Comic-Con in Boston and other fun activities it is back to the daily grind.

Sylvia is starting 10th grade, so three more years till graduation. Last week she already joined cheer leading. We are happy to announce that we now have a varsity cheerleader in our family!

"Sylvia, take chances, make mistakes and get messy!" Good luck on another year of high school! So proud of the young woman you are.

February Vacation

Quick update on our recent snow escape.

We started out visiting family in San Diego, always a joy to catch up with them. 

They provided good food, good birds, and great company. It was a quick visit so that we could move on to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, where it was even sunnier and warmer AND they had blue footed boobies and whales! Not to mention whistling ducks, right outside our hotel room. 

Sadly enough, our week in Mexico came to an end, but we still had another few days in San Diego to enjoy some old friends and a little bit more sun before traveling back to the reality of snow in New Hampshire. 

Clearly lots of things to write about, but for now you'll have to be happy with the pictures and the promise of a more extensive post soon. 

Have you been to San Diego? What do you like to do when you are there?

Erik Turned 18 !!!

From the moment he was born with his caul still intact, we have enjoyed watching him grow into a strong and capable adult.

He studies computer programming at a local Career and Technology center part of the day and spends the other half of his day at our local high school.

In his free tim, he enjoys playing Dungeons and Dragons and naturally also computer games. Working at our local supermarket gave him the power to order in pizza for his midnight snacks. Got to love teenage boys!

After he graduates high school in May this year, he hopes to join the Air Force. We are all looking forward to seeing him grow and explore the world.

Erik and Sylvia ready for adventures

Have fun conquering the world, Erik!

Happy birthday, Erik! Take chances, make mistakes, get messy and seize the day!

The Everglades!

Since it was cold and snowy in New Hampshire we escaped to the Everglades

In addition, we now can cross off another National Park off our bucket list.

We took a boat tour and saw crocodiles, manatees, and dolphins!!
We even almost tripped over an alligator when taking bird pictures. Oops!

We loved this national park and want to go back .So many great hikes and cool wildlife! What is your favourite national park?
In February 2019 I finally wrote a post about Birding in the Everglades. Go and check it out!

Happy New Year!!!

Wishing y'all a fabulous 2019!

Happy New Year!!

Eloise and Camille

Carpe Diem! Enjoy every day.

It is time for a picture catch-up so you can see the awesomeness of our family and friends. We enjoyed the holidays for sure.

Erik and Sylvia

Dawn

Qate

My Christmas present from Timmy

Auzzie bench lifing Sylvia

Jane

A little before Christmas, we visited Shawn, Lydia and the grandkids. It was a perfect stop on the way of picking up Jane in Springfield on her way home from Hamilton.

Tom, Eloise and Lydia

Tom, Shawn and Eloise

Eloise, Tom and Camille

New year's eve was wonderful too, it is so nice to have the older kids around and dropping in to these holidays.

Cees and Erik

Jane made meringues

Stephanie

Ronan, Auzzie, Amy, Sylvia, Jane

Amy, Sylvia, Erik

Erik's favourite present

Erik, Auzzie, Cees, Qate

Sylvia making deviled eggs

Some New Year's Eve pictures:
We made oliebollen, our traditional Dutch deep fried cinnamon raisin bread for "Oudejaarsavond" (Old year's night).

Erik en Chazz

Tom, Erik en Amy

Qate, Jill and Tom

Sisters!

No holiday is complete without s'mores