Just a bunch of turkeys

Spring has officially come to Brooktondale.  You can tell because there are far fewer snow storms and more just really cold rain.  None-the-less, the plants, the people, and the other animals are determined to reemerge from whatever dark perdition they've inhabited for these last 14 months or so.  Just kidding.  It's all good.  We had a nice winter.  It's great to have the sun out at 7:30 though and we've enjoyed rediscovering a new line of toys and wardrobe.

The turkeys are doing their normal thing.  Gobbling and strutting and putting on a show that will last right up to May 1, when they all mysteriously disappear and I wind up sitting in the cold rainy woods, looking like a dink with my shotgun slung impotently across my knees.  Amazing animals.

And now for something completely similar.  More pictures of Emmett.  Seriously, what did I used to do with my camera?!  This is from his early spring hipster collection.  Obviously he's too enthusiastic and happy about life to go full hipster.

On the cusp of walking... or at least not falling down as fast. Our little arborist. 

Tree covered in lichen from an early morning hike.

Swingin with mama!  

Goin to the show!  Sarah and Emmett and Zhora came to the Saturday show of Anything Goes.  It was so much fun!  Emmett is becoming quite the patron of the arts.

Mountain bike season!

We've gotten a couple nights of grilling in lately.  Steak one night, hamburgers another.  Last night Zach, Kristin, Nora, and Charlotte came over and we made foil wrapped potatoes, grilled veggies, veggie burgers, and Piggery brats.  We had so much fun.

On Saturday Sarah went to get her hair done and then to a workshop about wills and the like.  Emmett and I spent the day adventuring.  We went to the farmers market and tasted their leaves and bark and wood chips...

Then it was off to the Children's Garden to smell the flowers... maybe not the one with the bee in it.

Doing his best dock worker impression.

We found a deal on craigslist and hooked the Element up with some new bling.  I had the usual supervision as I worked out the details.

On Sunday the family worked together to transplant the blueberry bushes and do some general garden tending.  Emmett was great.  He wasn't sure about the tickley grass under foot at first, but he soon got into it.

I love this picture.  

Just like papa.

Later on Sunday we met the Stickles for drinks and conversation at Argos.  We had a lovely time with great drinks and lots of laughs.  Zhora got "all dolled up" as they say.

Newspaper was a new technology, and a little tricky to figure out. 

Postapalooza!

Thought we'd jump in on the posting fad.  Three or so will come up over the course of the weekend as I take breaks from my school work (read: procrastinate).

A couple weekends ago we celebrated Zhora's birthday with a picnic at Stewart Park.  Veneta was here and several of her friends from school came and brought their families.  Sarah and I went, too.  The spread was pretty great!

Bob and Zhora tended the grill.

Definitely family.

Zhora and I performed the electric slide.  This thing was brutal.  I got such a charge that every time I hit the ground the shock was startling.

After the third time, I asked Zhora, "Does this slide shock you, too?"

"Yup," she said, on her way back to the ladder. 

"I really don't want to go down it again."

"C'mon Hinkle Keith!  It'll be alright."

Sarah and I made some pizzas out of the dough that Veneta and Jenn brought.  Note the piggaroni!  That's a berry pizza cookie you see in the background.  Thanks Jenn!  It was pretty good for gluten free, but I still think a little gluten sprinkled on top woulda done it right.

Honestly, the playground is pretty sick.  There is even a carousel to ride for just $.75!

4!

Also, there is a sprinkler park.

I opted for reading some Chuck D in a hammock.  Everyone worried that the branches would break.  I guess I'm looking a little chubby, now.

What a great day!  We swung and slid and ran and laughed.  Bob and I played some bocce (hoping Dad brings the full set up with him when he comes, but we made it work).  The kids ran through the sprinklers, the parents hovered.  Everyone got along.  If only we'd've found the balloon thief and hung him like Mussolini the day would've been perfect.  All in all, a great time.  Looking forward to it again next year!