Birdies Everywhere

We went to the National Aviary today, one of my favorite Pittsburgh hangouts.  I love the birds and at the Aviary, there are birdies everywhere.  Here, photos of a few of them:

 That's a worm in there. 

 Ella holds up a fish to feed one of the "Wetland" birds

Fish in beak

After our last trip to the Aviary, I went home and realized that really, we have an Aviary in our own backyard--minus the scary birds like the vultures, hawks and falcons.  I love listening to them in the morning when I wake up.  A beautiful chorus.

 Meet Romeo.  For awhile, he was at our back door every day pecking, puffing himself up and, unfortunately, pooping.  We named him Romeo because we think he was seeing his reflection in the window and thinking it was a potential mate.

 Mama bird

Sitting on her nest, this good mama let me get only so close before...

 flying away...

 and chewing me out for disturbing her

 after a few days, we saw this

 Our newest neighbors.  Their mama built her nest in a bush just down from our front door.  We check on it every day, worried that a predator will come and get her babies.  It's amazing that they can survive really.  All skin and tufts.

 The barbaric Yawp telling the world "I'm here!"

And--two of my birdies.  I always tell them, "Little birdies in their nest agree" * Then I ask them why that should be so.  They say, "otherwise, they'll fall out and be eaten by the cat."  So true.

*From Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

More July 4

A few more pictures from the fourth:

This was our small town's schedule of events for the big day.  I took this picture on my phone to keep track of all the possibilities.  In the end, we only enjoyed the fireworks but this line-up and all the flags lining Main Street reminded me again that we are in Small Town USA.

 The 5K

This was Zelie's inaugural 5K.  Unlike the Liberty 5K, our traditional (and grueling) July 4 race, there were no shorter races for the kids.  The only Doyle participant was Chris who beat his goal time by a couple of minutes.  Dave finished first of our group, fourth runner to cross the line.

 Next of our group was Chris

 then Alex

 Rachel in blue

 and Zack and here is where I wish I had been videotaping instead of taking still photos

 Right after this pic, Zack went down hard.  His foot slid in the gravel and he wiped out.  Then, without a beat, in a superhero-like move, he rolled to his feet and continued his sprint to the finish.

 And last but not least, Jes (in pink) and Matthew (in green)

Matthew hears the cheers and makes a break for the finish.

 We waited a long time for race results.  I took Matthew to see one of Zelie's several lion fountains.  The other thing I remember from this part of the day is Dave observing that someone had brought bread pudding to serve post-race and commenting several times about how odd that was.

 Cousins are the best

 

Alex and Zack placed in their age groups as did David.  Go Kreitzer boys!


Other than the race, the only photos I got of the fun on the 4th were of our cupcake decorating.  Besides that though, we had a really yummy slider buffet, paddle boat races including one relay race, fishing and frogging, firefly catching and fireworks.  It was nice not to have to drive to fireworks but the Woodstock display is definitely better.  Maybe we'll be back for it next year.  And maybe I'll run the 5K again too.

The next day:

 We took Dave and Jes to the Monteray Bay Fish Grotto at the top of Mount Washington.  The view is incredible and the food, excellent.  Our waiter was a bit goofy and forgetful but we were in a forgiving mood and gave him a pass.

and Dave got a free dessert in honor of his upcoming birthday. (I really can't believe how old he is!) I gave him a T-shirt that says: "I can EXPLAIN it to you but I can't UNDERSTAND it for you"  

I think it may have been made for him.

Bye for now y'all.

More "Something"

Normally, the 4th of July finds Familia Doyle in Woodstock, VA running the Liberty 5K and relaxing by the pool at Camp Kreitzer.  This year, the Bristow Kreitzers traveled to us because of plans to attend a special concert on Saturday, July 6th.
The weekend was full of the fun we always have when we get together.  Many in the group ran Zelienople's inaugural 5K race on the morning of the 4th, making us all proud.  We did a lot of fishing, paddle boating, tennis-watching and EATING!  At dark, we walked up the street to watch fireworks with some neighbors and the kids caught quite a few fireflies.
Saturday, before the concert, we all headed to McConnells Mill to do the Hells Hollow hike.  It is a flat and easy walk to a pretty waterfall, small enough to enjoy without fear.  I was in my element.  All of the water and nature took me back to my days as a camp counselor in Charlottesville, VA and I was splashing and enjoying myself as much as the kids--though a bit more carefully because of the camera.
One thing I love about our new home is the easy access to beautiful trails and outdoor activities.  In our almost-a-year here, we have only tapped the surface and look forward to many adventures!

 Ella, at the bottom of the falls

 Girly Sophie

You can see how small this waterfall is.  A little like a desktop fountain but so pretty!

 David, doing some kind of self-imposed challenge to inch along the ridge.  We'll leave him to it.

 My favorite nephew named Matthew.  He is precious and so darn good looking too!

Mateo and Sophie

 Dad gets a wet hug from a special babe

 Nine kids in all

 Ella fixes her do

 All of the kids except Ella walked the creek all the way back.

I want to go back and do it when I don't have to protect my camera.

LATER:

 All dolled up and ready to go....

 to Taylor Swift!

 the stage

 Gorgeous all!  Grace and I picked out the flower head pieces.

Me and my G

The concert was tremendous.  TS is a talented and conscientious show woman.  She really knows how to connect with her audience.  My favorite part was when she walked through the crowd, essentially the length of the football field.  Her bodyguards looked very worried the whole time but she was caught up in the moment, present to her fans and seemingly oblivious.  She even kissed a baby!  I got to bed way too late for an old lady like me but I think the girls had a great time.  Well worth it.

Tata for now y'all!

Something is Better than Nothing

So, my sister-in-law Abby has been tearing up the blogging scene of late and reminding me of how much fun I am missing.  In fact, I have missed so much, I have no idea where to start.  There is always so much to say and so few moments in which to say it.  I constantly feel the pressure of time marching on and desire to hold at least a little back in words and pictures of the "now".  I love my life (most of the time) and would love to record every minute.  And it is that desire which makes blogging incredibly frustrating because it is impossible.  So, I remind myself that something is better than nothing.  This post includes a few of the "something"s going on in our lives.  Snapshots that froze times that we would like to remember.

First up:  The beginning of a wonderful vacation in Asheville, NC.  Chris and I spent five days with my brother David and our sister in law Jes adventuring in a place we'd never been.  It was exhausting but very, very fun.  Before the trip, Jes made a thorough list of the best restaurants in town.  White Duck Taco was on it and we headed there our first night.  It was casual and fun with a variety of a la carte tacos and good draft beer.  What more could we want?

 A favorite photo of the trip.  Night two before eating at a fine French restaurant.  The girls clearly add the spice to our little quartet.

Next:  Alfred turned ONE!  He's starting to mature and I love him more with every little step in that direction.  We fed him scrambled eggs for his birthday dinner in honor of Baron, Prince, Dutchess and every other Doyle dog that came before him.

Finally:  Howdy Y'all!  VBS.  Wild West Theme.  Our cowgirls had a wild and wonderful time.  Meanwhile, mom painted the dining room!

Thanks for stopping by.  We've missed you!

Spring Came Anyway

I guess my profession of unbelief in spring didn't matter a bit.  It came anyway.  Faith is the same way.  The fact of my believing or not does not change Who God is--my Father--forgiving, loving and waiting for me to run to Him.  I find that very comforting.

And below--my very first photo-shopped photo!  

I watched a short video on adobe's web site today and their spokesperson said that if you aren't using this software, you're skipping the second half of the process.  Photo editing is today's dark room.  I believe it.  I do not know what I am doing at all but I still like the photo I ended up with.  I can't wait till I can do things like move heads onto other people's bodies.  Really--why work out?  

"New Life" (untouched)

 "New Life" (I couldn't tell you what I did and it's a little green but I like it!)

I Do NOT Believe in Spring

      It is April 3rd and the sun was up this morning in Western PA.  I had big plans for the day and walked out the door, coffee in hand with a "spring" in my step, only to run into the fog of my own breath and feel the icy fingers of Old Man Winter dig into my skin as he whispered,  "There is no such thing as spring."  Later in the day, snow flurries.
     I do not believe in spring.  I'm not one of those people with pastel dreams of flowers and birds and butterflies.  I think this must be Narnia with its endless winter.  Only, we had a Christmas.  One good thing.
     I keep walking past the pile of snow garb left on the basement floor after the last ride down the sledding hill.  It looks out of place, as if maybe it should move on.  But then, lo and behold, it is needed again.  I haven't even glanced at the "warm weather" clothes bins.  What a joke!  There is no spring.
     Ella told me it said "spring" on the calendar awhile back.  What do I say to her?  I don't want to squash her innocent faith in the widely respected theory of the four seasons.
     I hear it will be 61 degrees by the weekend.  I'm betting on snow though.  I do not believe in spring.