Lake Tenkiller

Since moving to AR, Rod has wanted to go to Lake Tenkiller in OK where there is the POSSIBILITY of seeing 4 species of loons.  So, we decided to take advantage of a long weekend, and rent a cabin in the state park.  Great little cabin, great park, great weekend!  Upon arrival, we set out to explore.  Didn't take long for a meltdown, surprise surprise.

We brought some inside activities too, not knowing what the weather would be like.  Fortunately it was really nice.  The kids and I made a habit of waking and going for a morning pj walk around the cabins/playground, and all we needed was a light jacket!  At 8 am in February!  But C did work in building this weather station she got from Russell and Lisa for Christmas with Dada.

 He's always looking for treasures.

 And she's taking nature notes.

 And, of course...  birding.  :)

Great weekend!  I do think we'll return!

Beaver Lake Winter Visit Part 1 - Prairie Creek

But first...  Reed has discovered that riding his bike in "Lost and Found Pond" is pretty awesome.

 And Charley sewed a teddy bear!

 So, we went to spend a day at Beaver Lake to do a little birding, a little playing.  Charley, building a fish trap.

 Finished product!

 Isn't she a beauty?

 My silly boy.

Can you believe, no coats in February???  Sure beats NV/NE!!  I LOVE IT!

Scooter's Snafu

So, if blood grosses you out, you'll want to skip this post...

One Tuesday morning, while getting the kids ready for the day, I let Scooter out the back door, like I do EVERY OTHER MORNING.  Ten minutes later, when I went to let him in, this is what I was greeted with:

HORRIFIC, right?  I couldn't bear to look, yet couldn't tear my eyes away!  We rushed him to the vet, and fortunately they performed emergency surgery on the spot.

Back at home - poor guy.  Little did we know, he'd be in a cone for nearly 2 months. 

By the weekend, a dime sized hole had opened back up.  He was shivering, his whole body, not eating/drinking, and seemed miserable.  So, to the night time emergency vet we went.

By the following week, it had opened up much more extensively.  It was an oozing, foul, stinking mess.  I still shudder.

He ended up with a second surgery and several rounds of antibiotics and some topical cream.  All in all, his little tangle with the fence cost us over $1000.  Ouch!