The War Rages On

Not since the Hatfield's and the McCoy's have two "neighbors" been at such odds. The first battle...waking up to our garbage can being completely chewed through and garbage strewn through our front tree like Christmas lights. This is when we knew the squirrels taking residence at 252 Clamar Ave. were out for keeps. We retaliated simply with an industrial strength garbage can. Things seemed to quiet down until we found a half eaten bagel in the window box. It was a simple message - we'll be back...

Perhaps the squirrels greatest assault commenced about 2 years ago. I was feeding a 1-year-old Ben in his high chair when I heard scratching across the ceiling. It didn't sound good so I decided once Ben went down for a nap I would figure out who needed to be called to deal with what could only be an intruder. Once Ben was down for his nap I walked into the living room and immediately came face to face with...a squirrel. In my living room. The next 2 days were a blur. Me grabbing Ben, a golf club and my cell phone and retreating to the safety of the car; a squirrel hunter who arrived, spent about 2 days at our house catching THREE squirrels that had eaten through the porch roof and invaded our home; and the subsequent destruction of everything the squirrels came in a 5ft. proximity to. The squirrels were caught and removed from the premises. Obviously, we thought we had taken care of the problem.

Of course, we were wrong. The squirrels now have their sights set on my new pride and joy - my tomato plant! I've been known to have something of a black thumb and this tomato plant is finally starting to change perceptions and give me some gardening cred. The squirrels are intent on making me look bad. I had noticed some ripe tomatoes a couple of weeks ago. All the sudden, nothing. It was perplexed until I saw one of my "neighbors" feasting on some juicy, home-grown tomatoes - right outside my window. I loaded up the tomato plants with crushed red pepper, basil and some "Joe's Hot Stuff" for good measure. It was a futile attempt. We caught them yet again feasting on the tomatoes that I have not even had a chance to sample - they get every ripe one before we can get to it. AH!

I don't even know where to go next with this. It's clear that Havertown squirrels have an unparalleled bravado and I'm not sure that there will ever be peace. In the meantime you can probably find me at Home Depot spending my paycheck on anything with a squirrel crossed out on the label. I won't give up!

In Case We Forget...

...This will serve as a reminder:

Crocs mean Ben is Bruce Wayne

Boots mean he's Batman

This is, of course, per Ben who is obsessed with anything Batman and now really anything superhero-related. I've spent my morning as Clark Kent. I'm not sure about my alter-ego footwear though...

Zoo Virgin

(This is Nate) Kristen claims that by the time Ben was Lil's age, he'd been to various zoos tons of times; Lil has not been to even one yet. So Sunday we packed it up for a trip to Elmwood Park Zoo, followed up with lunch at Molly Maguires in Phoenixville.

Inauspicious start.

Not happy that we have to look at the animals before going to the playground they have.

Enjoying the butterflies.

That's two good pictures of them together - we'll call that a good day.

The Baby's Baby

Lilly's favorite toy/lovey/most prized possession is her baby doll, appropriately named "Baby." She totes Baby around with her everywhere and spends most of her time talking to Baby or giving Baby hugs. Now that she's getting "older," she likes to take Baby for walks in the stroller and feed Baby bottles, burp her, etc. Washing Baby is probably the most traumatic thing we have to go through and as a result, Mom lives in fear of losing (and washing) Baby. Baby has quickly become a VIP around here and is now part of the family. We have to remember/find/keep track of 4 "kids" wherever we go: Lilly and Baby, Ben and Lion Buddy. 

Let's Go Bucs!

(This is Nate) After some early AM double-high fives to celebrate YOUR PITTSBURGH PIRATES BEING TIED FIRST PLACE, Ben and I went on to have some appropriately themed fun. 

We warmed up playing with our pirate ship, then Ben put on his pirate-themed swim clothes and his Pirates hat and we set off to the Colonial Plantation in Ridley Creek State Park for "Pirates Splash Day". The wonderful volunteers there dressed as pirates, attacked the colonial farmhouse and set up games for the kids; Ben got to get wet, get the pirates wet, make a candle, play some games and check out the farm animals. A perfect pirate-themed day to celebrate something that hasn't happened since I was about 11.

It's official.

Memorializing 1st place.

Scurvy Pirates.

Having fun.

Arrrrrrrgh!

It was hot.

4th of July 2011

(This is Nate) For everyone's enjoyment, a few snapshots from this past Fourth in Latrobe (The cool evening breezes of Anytown, USA included).

Waiting for the parade to start (note the candy bucket).

The crowds gather on Ligonier Street.

"The Polish Polka Pals". Unfortunately they were already booked the date of our wedding.

This may be hard to read, but the top is the Pledge of Allegiance; the bottom? The Pledge of Allegiance to the Christian Flag.

Uncle Sam on his ride.

Wow.

The F.O.E with a sweet ride.

Greensburg F.D. Best dressed Fire Department in the area, hands down.

2.5 hours later, still going strong!