Happy Roses & A Baker's Dozen!

Exciting news!!! David and Angela are 'expecting' a sweet babe May 2, 2011! This picture was taken at a recent family reunion this past July. This was totally 'unplanned' and quite a surprise to them and all of us! This will make a 'baker's dozen' for grandpa and I, grandchild #13! 13 has always been a lucky number for both David and myself! Congratulations to David and Angela! I asked if he was hoping for a boy or a girl, knowing they would be happy with either. He said that it really didn't matter, they were excited! Angela is feeling a little yucky these days, no fun there!

The next four pictures are of some of my 'yard friends' in my front yard.

I brought these raccoons from my other house we sold.

He reminds me of one of the 7 dwarfs.

This one is sitting on a ladybug and has a spring and can 'bob'.

This is a grandpa gnome and granddaughter.

My neighbor and friend down the street from us says that my roses are....'happy roses!' They almost reach the each of the roof! They are a little taller than Neil!

A front view of our house with the roses on the right and on the left.

This tree has tons of flowers that resemble a carnation. It starts blooming in July and goes to early October! Once in awhile a hummingbird visits the tree. One day I was looking out the window and a green hummingbird actually 'stopped' its wings and rested and drank from a flower for about 10 seconds! It's the first time I ever saw a hummingbird not moving its wings! About two weeks ago I was outside watering my plants and heard this low buzzing and I stopped knowing I better not move and slowly looked around and there was a hummingbird in mid-flight hovering for about 3 seconds and looked at me, since I was in front of his favorite flowering tree, then flew off! What a treat!

BEFORE - My little flowerbed. Taken in mid-June.

AFTER - taken in late August. This picture isn't the best. I should have taken this picture two weeks ago when the red and yellow snapdragons were big and gorgeous and the dahlia's on the right were loaded in flowers!