"I'm a neat eater, don't you think?!!?" 

Check out the tongue... 

There it is again... 

Grace "The Tongue" Duck

Greetings all!

I've posted a few pictures above, but it seems that every time I try to snap a shot lately Grace's tongue is hanging out! She's got this to-the-side thing going on a la the Michael Jordan slam-dunk look. What can I say? Also, the Stage 3 Foods didn't last long. The three nights we tried them she required a whole-body hose-down after dinner. "Eat it or wear it!" as we used to say!!!

Anyway, other than that this week she seems to be battling the ragweed here and it's making for some sleepless nights for all of us. Hopefully the medicine the Dr. prescribed will help to dry her up.

In other news, our next door neighbor said that his dog cornered a Coral snake on their porch recently. For information on them, check out this link http://www.enature.com/fieldguide/showSpeciesGS.asp?curGroupID=7&searchText=coral+snake&curPageNum=3&recnum=AR0642. They're common in the area, but this is the closest one we've heard about. I will need to look into my own cowboy boots soon because I suspect my normal flip-flops won't offer much protection in this case. Geez, who thought that a scorpion sting would ever be the LESSER of two evils?!?!

Cheers-
The Texas Ducks

Trying Again... 

Ahhhh, plushy carpeting on my fingers and knees!

HI THERE!!!!!! 

Friday Again

Well, it's Friday again. I suppose since I just posted the Port A pictures earlier this week it seems to have gone even faster than normal!

Our new excitement is that we FINALLY have carpeting in the living room! Oh, yes, we know how to live and have a good time! Brandon and I put it down last night and woohooo! Was that exciting! Lucky LOVES the carpeting despite the looming threat for her life if she messes or chews on it. I have to say that after the jute rug we've been living with I enjoy just standing on the plushy berber letting my tootsies get a little taste of paradise!

When I put Grace down this morning she could tell right away that something was different and has had a blast roaming around! The normally pestered and molested palm tree in the kitchen has been second-fiddle to the step into the entryway today. I opened the gate to it pending any incidents that would require that it be reclosed. Grace has just mastered going back down the step without face-planting so I can always lure her back down by making a building out of blocks. She simply can't stand to see the blocks standing nice and tall...CHAOS MUST REIGN!

Have a lovely weekend all!
Cheers-
The Texas Ducks

Surf, Sand and Sun!

We just returned from a much needed break to the Gulf this weekend. Will's parents (a/k/a Melissa and Bill) invited us out to Port Aransas (http://www.portaransas-texas.com/sandcastle.asp) for a little bit of rest and relaxation. The previous link is for the resort where we stayed, but you can also see as map that shows where Port A is in relation to Austin.

The drive was long (Grace did well), but the trip was well worth it! One of Bill's clients had offered up his beachside condo for the weekend. The view was beautiful from the wrap-around balcony and we were within walking distance from the beach. Grace was a little hesitant about getting in the water at first, but Daddy sat her down in the sand and within minute she was enjoying digging with a shovel and feeling the waves break on her little legs! The water was a perfect temperature and the waves were just right so that she enjoyed being carried out into the surf as well. Many people brought their doggies with them to the beach and Grace enjoyed watching them. Among her favorites was a very wet and sandy Pomeranian on a Boogie Board!

As with all great vacations, it had to come to an end and we were glad to finally get back home after a marathon drive. When I walked Grace into her room she got this huge smile and seemed to really recognize it as home. We're already looking forward to the next time we can get to the beach!

Cheers-
The Texas Ducks

The wall of mirrors in the condo was by far one of Grace's favorite parts of the weekend! 

Bathing Beauties!!! 

Grace really enjoyed sitting with us and playing in the sand right where the waves would break. 

Family fun in the Gulf! 

This was Will's fun game of keep away! He'd lure Grace over to him with a book and then pull it away...a few times Grace was too quick for him and got that book! 

Happy...Ghost and Joe enjoying some time in the field. 

The chickens crossing the proverbial road...in this case they are doing so to partake in the nightly corn feeding ritual. 

Watching the chickens... 

Chickens

Here are the infamous wild chickens of Scenic Brook Estates! We've been feeding them nightly for about two months or so now and they are always excited to hear our stroller coming up the road. Most of the ones that we feed nightly are from a few "litters"born early this spring that Grace and I have been feeding since they were little babies.

This week was a sad one for the chickens because even though they had territorial differences, the big, lovable black lab Cody that lived on the court was put to sleep due to cancer. Cody loved to watch the chickens for the most part, but every now and then he got a notion to hunt one down. I guess it was his little way of keeping them on their toes. Anyway, we will all miss Cody greatly.

Last but not least I thought I'd share my thoughts on the cerebral input/output of most of the animals in our neighborhood. One day as I was driving up to the house I saw Ghost and Joe (the horses) in the backyard. I figured they were thinking, "Great! Here comes the lady with carrots! We love carrots and will walk back to the fence to get some. Carrots make us happy!"

Then I realized their mental capacity was probably not that advanced. I narrowed down their hypothetical thoughts to, "Hey, there's the carrot lady! We like carrots and carrots make us happy!" Upon further, and likely more realistic thought, I realized what actually goes through their heads as they see me drive or walk up is, "Happy!"

Despite whatever really goes through their minds, Grace and I enjoy feeding them and for as much as Brandon complains about the grocery bill to pay for the nourishment of the neighborhood animals, I know he likes them too.

Cheers-
The Texas Ducks