Fun for boys and Macks

It started out as a normal day until this big truck pulled into the neighborhood. With a name like that it had to be a good day.Soon "Big Mack" was backing into the front yard of Mr. M and Mrs. B.

What a fun place to watch the excitement with a neighborhood friend.

Wow, such a big hole this machine can make!!!

And it takes the dirt with him...

leaving a gigantic hole for a new tree. But first he has to go and get the tree.

Meanwhile more commotion as the firemen flushed out the hydrants in front of the house.

The nice fireman wanted to chat with "little Mack" and then...

he placed Mack up in the driver's seat.

Mack wasn't so sure about that...

it sure was nice of the fireman to let him take over!

Soon they roared off with a couple of big honks from their horn to the next hydrant.

Then it was time for the tree men to come back with the new tree.

And just in a few minutes it was in the big hole.

Neighbor Mr. M and the tree man wanted to make sure it was straight.

And then the machine opened up and drove away....

ending the neighbor's entertainment but leaving...

a big beautiful tree in the neighborhood.

Garvan Woodland Gardens

After seeing a story about the Garvan Woodland Gardens on the local news we decided to check it out and headed toward Hot Springs.It was an absolutely gorgeous day... with no wind and mild temps.
The tulips were just past their prime but still beautiful.

The U of Arkansas now owns the beautiful property and manages it with various shows through out the year.

Mack was as good as gold and seemed to like taking it all in.

Now if ND will just start their Spring.

A few happenings....

On a recent walk I took this blooming tree...and this Wisteria which acts like a vine and can climb up 30-40 feet giving the tree a look of blooms from bottom to top. Sort of looks like Lilacs from a distance.
Here is a Hawaiian Local Boy giving us his winning smile.

Any of you "birders" know how difficult it is to get a picture of a Brown Thrush. This pair landed in the front yard...

and made a b-line for the house. It was hard getting a focus cuz they were always moving.

They came right under the window and I got this one before they moved on.

You have to have good eyes to catch a glimpse of this first time visitor. I put the feeder out one noon and by two-thirty he was there. Amazing how they see these things and come to get a drink of sugar water.

Now here is a sad picture for us PC lovers. Tutu is introducing Mack to the I Pod.

Notice he seems to be taking to it....

And now he is hooked. This is how the addiction begins... tsk... tsk.

Happy Easter and one and a half...

Happy Easter! Today being Easter just happens to be the Mackster's year and a half birthday! Here he is trying out his wedding outfit for Uncle Jim and Gretchen's July wedding. This morning when he woke up there was an Easter basket waiting for him from Grandpa and Grandma S.
He was really taken by the card which played "Peter Cottontail" when opened.

Next he saw the book and didn't really care about anything else in the basket.

With a little encouragement he gave the stuffed Easter Duck/rabbit a hug.

We miss you, Rob!