For the record, I am not particularly into bugs and snakes and the like. At All. For the sake of my children I have learned to control the utter repulsion I have towards most things of this nature so that I can exterminate them when my husband is unavailable. However, I do not like them. So, with that, I will warn you that the following pictures still make me shudder. However, our blog is meant to be a glimpse of our lives, and this Saturday morning we had the privilege
(eh hem) of discovering a snake in our yard.
Chris and Peter were using Grandpa's tractor to mow out back when Chris noticed a "rope" under the wheel of the tractor. He hopped down to investigate and discovered that he'd run over the head of a snake with the front tractor tire. He was wearing heavy work gloves, so he picked it up and put it in a bucket. He added water as an attempt to drown it since it was pretty dazed, but that only seemed to revive it. At my request, he put a lid on the bucket since we didn't know what kind of snake it was, and Hannah and I left for a tea party with friends from church.
Upon returning, my husband informed me he had identified our snake. I was prepared to hear him tell me it was a brown snake or a garden snake or some other mundane variety. No. That's too boring. He had caught a Copperhead. Yes. A Copperhead. As in a venemous snake. In our backyard. For consolation, however, it's the least venemous of the venemous snakes found in our area.
(Now there's great consolation!) And it tends to freeze rather than attacking when it gets frightened. Adding gas to the bucket effectively ended its life.
Hannah and Peter found all of this incredibly interesting.
Including the ensuing biology lesson. I am
not cut out to teach biology.
So. What have you discovered in
your backyard recently?
:::
I must admit that I wouldn't mind being able to give a slightly more mundane answer to that question at the moment. Something like frogs, beetles, squirrels, rabbits, etc. For the record, I also found a Black Widow last summer . . .
We are regularly reminded that our safety is of the Lord. Thank You, Father!
We're looking forward to a fun summer! :o)
What wonderful blessings! :o)
Hannah loves holding him . . . and Matthew loves to be held! :o) It's a great combination. :o) I asked her what was her favorite part of having a baby brother . . . her response was "learning to change his diaper." (No, we have not attempted that yet, but she says she wants to . . . maybe when he gets a little less squirmy? Hmmm . . . ) :o)
Who woke me up?!?
Hannah has discovered her captive audience . . . 
Love those big eyes . . ..jpg)
And tiny hands . . .
Thoroughly enjoying our littlest blessing . . . 
Upon returning, my husband informed me he had identified our snake. I was prepared to hear him tell me it was a brown snake or a garden snake or some other mundane variety. No. That's too boring. He had caught a Copperhead. Yes. A Copperhead. As in a venemous snake. In our backyard. For consolation, however, it's the least venemous of the venemous snakes found in our area. (Now there's great consolation!) And it tends to freeze rather than attacking when it gets frightened. Adding gas to the bucket effectively ended its life.
Including the ensuing biology lesson. I am not cut out to teach biology.
So. What have you discovered in your backyard recently? 
We love you and are so glad Great Grandma is home for the celebration! :o)
The proud Daddy's first picture with his new little one . . . 
but we were also very glad to head home! :o)
Of course, everybody wants to hold the littlest one . . . 
Peter was quite excited to see that he and Matthew both had airplane jammies . . .
And we're glad Grandpa was able to come down as well!
More snuggle time . . .
Mommy and Matthew joined the family at church for the morning service for Matthew's first Sunday, and we snapped a family photo as well . . .
Considering that he was not happy with his first experience in the carseat on the way home from the hospital, we're extra thankful that his disposition towards that necessary piece of equipment has changed considerably . . . 
Friends at church had these strap monkeys for their little one, and Peter loved them! :o) He actually learned to count "two" on his fingers as a result of those monkeys, so we were glad to be able to purchase a set for Matthew (for Peter to enjoy.) ;o)
Since Grandma had all of the meal planning, cleaning, and laundry completely under control, and Mommy was caring for Matthew, Daddy, Grandpa, Hannah, and Peter went looking for other occupations during Matthew's first week. 
Hannah and Grandma also had fun with crafts. :o)
And Daddy and Peter enjoyed trying out Grandpa's tractor which he brought down on the trailer for us to borrow for the summer. (Thanks Grandpa!) 
And Grandma also took care of 99% of Peter's birthday preparations, including making adorable puppy dogs for Peter to share with his friends at school. (Thanks Grandma!) 
Happy 3rd Birthday, Peter! 
Aren't those cupcakes cute?!?
Peter enjoyed all of his gifts, but the grin on his face when Daddy gave him his very own real shovel was priceless!
And he knew just what to do with it! :o)
Thanks for the new oufit, G&G H!
Uncle Bryan and Aunt Janie came down to celebrate Aunt Janie's sister's birthday, but we enjoyed getting to see them a bit as well. :o)
Hannah was serving ice cream to all interested parties . . .
Our three munchkins . . . 
And our littlest one . . . who, by the way, isn't so little!
At his one week checkup, he had regained all of his birthweight plus 1-1/2 ounces. :o) He's also in the 99th percentile for height at 22-3/4 inches long! Hmmm . . . I think he got those genes from Daddy! 
Following Matthew's first bath . . . 
Thanks so much for coming! We love you!
We praise the Lord for the addition of our sweet baby boy who already feels like a part of the family!
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