Wild New Hampshire Day

Today was the 20th Anniversary of Wild New Hampshire Day. It is a free family event sponsored by the New Hampshire Game Department and the Department of Environmental Services. So, after my in-laws left, our family (minus Ginger) joined in the festivities! We were greeted by some NH natives at the entrance who started us out with a scavenger hunt. A two page list with 21 items to complete. Upon completion, you could go to a (secret) location to claim your prize.......but my family only completed 3 items...so we didn't qualify! But thats okay because we had lots of fun!

Here are some of the things we did:

"Identify that Animal" -identify the animal by footprints, fur, & other clues

"What do animals leave behind?"- we got to inspect poop! (no photo)

"Test your turkey I.Q." - we got to do turkey calls (no photo)

"What it's like to be a Worm"

"Whose Eyes Are These?"- a show with a live Great Horned Owl

"Animals on the Move"- a show with a live beaver

Examined various fish from a fish hatchery

Visited Smokey the Bear- watched one kid cry because he was scared of Smokey (no photo)

"My Family Tree"

Talked to water and air quality experts -I loved this! (no photo)

I can't wait for this event to come next year!

2010 Family Goal: Complete 6 items on scavenger hunt!

The Largest Bug in the United States

<---- That title belongs to the Giant Water Bug or also known as the "toe biter." They are predators that live in bodies of fresh water. They wait silently for their prey (frogs, fish, salamanders...thats right.....this bug eats frogs and fish!). Once within range, the bug strikes injecting its super-digestive saliva into the victim. The powerful salivia breaks down the muscle tissues, liquifiying them so the Giant Water Bug can suck them out with its "mouthparts!" (shiver)

According to a reptutable source, their bite is the most painful bite that can be inflicted of all insects! (shiver shiver)

So...this picture you see here, is one that I took after Juliette and I captured it, put it into a sandpail and studied it for about 10 mins. Without knowing much about it! Not knowing it could inflict one h*** of a bite!

So, the next time you want to jump in for a swim, remember these little guys are lurking below waiting to attack! They don't call them "toe biters" for nothing! (I think I'll stick to pools and oceans, thanks!)

And they eat these things in Thailand....

"Law"son

My husband is about to complete his first grueling year of law school. I have to admit, its been a little tough. It's hard going from newlyweds to newly-never-see eachothers. Is that a word? The best part of being newlyweds is the honey-moon phase. You know what I'm talking about! (wink, wink) Well...we didn't really get the honey-moon phase. We got packing, moving, unpacking, start law school, never see each other. I shouldn't complain because I am thankful for my husband's hard work and determination. Hes going to make an excellent lawyer, but don't ask me, ask the lawyers at the court house in town. According to them, Dan is better than most lawyers out there...and he's not even a lawyer yet! He's only a 1L (1L= first year Law student).

So does that mean he can drop out now? ........I wish!

Here are a just a few of the milestones of 2008-2009:

*Dan applied for Law Review(s)

*Dan applied for the Daniel Webster Scholar- Honors Program

*Dan got his first "real" lawyer job

2009 Barrister's Ball

The Barrister's Ball is a semi-formal event that most law schools put on; hosted by the Student Bar Association. It's similar to prom... you get together with your girlfriends, do your hair, do your makeup, and wear the dress of your dreams! One major difference between prom and the Barriste's ball is that they serve h'dourves, several entrees, and plenty of alcohol! Did I mention they serve alcohol? I mean full-on OPEN BAR!

I expected the appetizers, the meal, the music... but I didn't expect they'd throw in a complimentary comedy show!

It was great! I wish I had brought my camera. I had it ready to go, but left it behind last minute. For now these borrowed pictures will have to do (Thanks to Jannalee Fish) No need to worry though, the Barrister's Ball is held every year, so you betcha I'll have my camera for next year!

Picture (Not-So) Perfect

I love spending time at the park. Yesterday Juliette, Ginger, and I packed a picnic lunch (dog food for Ginger) planning to spend our entire afternoon there. I was even lucky enough to capture these great photos of Juliette (toward the end) by the duck pond! Franklin Pierce Law Center is the brick building with white pillars in the background.

Ginger got a lot of attention from the kiddos at the park. She was so excited to meet all the new faces. One thing is for sure, Ginger loves people!

As we were leaving the park Juliette and I witnessed an minor car accident that took place in the parking lot. Two teenage girls were in a white car backing up (without looking) and as they did they backed into a large truck carrying a horse trailer. They managed to miss the truck and hit the trailer.

I asked the man if he'd like me to stick around as a witness, then I heard the teenage driver say "I dont have car insurance..."

I'm just glad the inexperienced driver didn't back into us!

Happy Easter!

We had a wonderful Easter day! Juliette was greeted by our new family dog, Ginger. She was quite surprised! She knew we were going to "save a dog", but I didn't tell her when we'd be welcoming the canine member into our home. As for the new bike? Juliette didn't even notice! She walked by it several times before I said, "Use the stapler on my desk," so she would actually SEE it! She liked the bike, but Ginger stole the show! For now we're adjusting to the demands of having a new puppy; trips outside every hour, training, and cleaning up pee after we took too long to get our shoes on!

Juliette, meet Ginger

The quest to find the perfect dog has come to an end! We knew Ginger sounded wonderful on paper, but feeling was solidified when Dan and I met Ginger, a four-month-old "sato"pup. Sato is the Puerto Rican name for any street dog without a clear breed or history. Our best guess, she's an Italian Greyhound mix. Mixed with what though? So far we've gotten beagle, terrier, and as a baby, chiwawa. She definatly doesn't look like she has any chi in her now! Juliette loves Ginger and Ginger LOVES Juliette. The first time we heard Ginger bark was the morning Juliette came home! Check out the video to see Juliette and Ginger's reaction!

Juliette loves Dizzy

Last week Juliette and I went to our local park for the first time this year. Last summer and fall we spent an endless amount of time at the park. Last year Juliette loved the slides and jungle gym. This spring Juliette loves dizzy. She loves laying tummy down on the seat's swing while twisting the metal chains as tightly as they can go, then releasing the tension and spinning around and around, until she's dizzy! Just watch the video and you'll see!