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Birds Birds Birds!

My winter has been consumed with bird-watching. Not bird-watching of the high-definition documentary or Life List tallies or global expedition variety, but just simple backyard feeder bird watching. When the days are short, one little chickadee can make it or break it.

Our most common birds include the Black-capped Chickadees, obviously, along with Northern Cardinals, White-breasted Nuthatches, House Sparrows, and House Finches. Nothing for the regular person to get too excited about - but they should!

Blue Jays, always monopolizing the feeder

Dark-eyed Juncos, our little ground feeders

Lots and lots of woodpeckers, often patiently waiting for his or her turn at the suet feeder

Downy Woodpecker at the tube feeder, perhaps my favorite winter bird

A Pileated Woodpecker occasionally shows up to feed at our dead maple. I don't know why he bothers with a suet feeder, since he appears far too big.

And where there are bird feeders, there are squirrels, always waiting for an opportunity.

Spot the sparrows!

Red-bellied Woodpecker and resident chickadee

Our friendly nuthatch and chickadee, taking cover from the snow.

I've managed to get the whole family involved with birding. Adam is quick with a pair of binoculars, Pickles chatters when a bird comes close to the window, and TJ helps to keep the squirrels at bay. It's a team effort!

Tricky Erickson

Another year, another curling tournament to feed Ryan's ego. Recently Nicole, friends, and I made the long trip to Two Harbors for Ryan and Sarah's Curling Tournament. Ryan tricked everyone into coming by advertising the event as a celebration of Shaquille O'Neil's birthday, who was (surprise) not in attendance. Ryan and Sarah have also created this elaborate prank where Sarah wears a pillow under her shirt and she isn't allowed to drink as much alcohol as she usually does. Fool me once, Ryan.......

Jake and I tried to make the best of the situation by getting in some pre-game strategy.

Curling is very addictive once you learn the rules. It requires intense concentration and slippery left foot.
Wally never did hit Ryan over the head with a curling broom, but he could have.
Nicole joined up with Christina Mattson and Ryan to form the best wine drinking team in the tournament.
Nicole may be smiling here, but she is really just wincing away the frostbite pain in her hands.
Ryan always does this move, therefore I have to make fun of it.
I have the greatest fans in the world! Thank you and see you next season!!

Daylight Savings!

Spring is right around the corner, and I think we can all be thankful for that. I know TJ is happy to get outdoors and start planting.

We have just tiny remnants of snow remaining, but that hasn't stopped the spring bloomers from forcing their way out. The rumor is that we hit 63 degrees today, so take that winter!

Glad to see our sedums return. We must have done something right last year. Who knew that they returned like this, below? Noted for next year.

TJ took one last opportunity to cherish the snow, because of all the spaces in the yard to relax, this is the one he chose.

What do you want to watch on TV, Pickles?

Usually when we watch television, this is the most common place you will find Pickles. She likes to sit on the top of the couch, near the lamp, above where the furnace vent is located. If Nicole could lay there too, she would.

Here is another location. Where the previous picture has "Go Away!" written all over it, this pose tells us that she wants to play, get brushed, or that she wants to watch Half Baked.
Even when on a lap, she has never taken an interest on anything on the television. That was always the case, until we watched the hummingbird documentary.
Check out the cat. She is into this bird!
TJ knew all along that Pickles liked this kind of thing and was quick to remind us. We will listen next time for certain.

Take some time to watch the film. It is Pickles approved.

Everyone loves Lobster

This winter drove the Johnson family a little bonkers. It was long, dreary, and brought us nearly to insanity. It got so bad that I was drawn to the Michaels craft department and picked out a wooden assemble-yourself lobster. I had a lot of red paint already and the kit only cost $1, which only left time to waste. I painted all the pieces while watching Mason Jennings' road documentary, Use Your Van. Mason seemed desperate to quit touring and actually make some money, his new bassist was/probably still is an attention whore, and they attempted a lot of forced comedy. I will never care about Mason again unless Robert Skoro is allowed to return. Mark my words! Mason Jennings is dead to me and only the healing waters of Robert Skoro can bring him from the grave.

Back to the lobster.......

TJ watched in awe as his master became the master of crafts.
Assembly with glue came about a week later. Alcohol required.

Everyone has taken to Lobster. Pickles likes to look into his eyes.

TJ loves him so much he wants to destroy him.
It took some time, but even Nicole is getting used to having Lobster help around the house. What a miracle!

Lobster Johnson arrived 2/10/2010 at 0 lbs 10 oz and is 14 inches long.

A-ROAR-AAAA

A recent trip to Aurora for a visit with the Mattson family offered experiences never to be forgotten. Adam was able to finally cross off number #23 on his bucket list by walking two dogs at the SAME TIME! I guess it's time to move #24 up the list. Prepare to die, cast of Two and a Half Men.

Nicole took careful notes to help Maarit as she worked on new material for her one-woman show, Hopticop, My Hopticop . Previews begin next week. TJ spent a lot of time with Maarit.
It might have been her good hugs.
Or it could have been her sweet kisses.
Or is it possible that they have a common interest in being set free from their parents?
The likely reason that TJ was so close to Maarit was her Dino. Never before has a prize tempted Theodore Junior with such intensity. Maarit was not the best trainer, but then Nicole and Adam are not either. Maarit would regularly hand her Dino to TJ, who would attempt to quickly find a nice place to chew. He didn't get very much time before Adam would ruin all his fun.
Maybe someday you can have the Dino, but for now, Jr, you'll just have to accept the hugs and kisses.