(Click on any picture to enlarge)
Go to our main page
 Here's Devin with some nice fun toys in the background  So what does he love to play with?  Yes, an old oven mitt  Hey, you're talking about me aren't you?  Here's the big yard project for the year, posts and beams in place  A new vertical addition to the deck which we attached a couple years back  Here it is taking shape with the joists, why it's a brand new pergola!  Seems relatively simple, but there's a lot of calculations involved in this thing  A table umbrella just wasn't cutting it as a sun-blocker, so I decided to go with this  When all is said and done, it'll give great coverage to the deck with the overhang, and provide about 60-80% sun-blockage overall, depending on the position of the sun  The design was taken from the pergolas at Greenfield Village in Dearborn, MI. It's a straightforward and effective craftsman design that, given our love of that place, adds another personal touch to our home  A view from the top. Using the staggered slats pattern that you see allowed me to use shorter lumber, which is cheaper overall per foot than longer lumber. Plus, I had to rip those things from 2x6's, and I had no desire to be ripping 16' boards  Quick transition and here we are at Henry Vilas Zoo in Madison, WI  Jared reviewing his arm length to some "relatives"  Devin enjoying the day at the zoo  Great Aunt Carol and Jared enjoying the seals at play  A seal at play  Now that's one close tiger  Roar  A tapir, which thanks to the magic of Dora the Explorer, Jared was able to identify  One of Daddy's favorites, the bull rhino  14 feet tall baby  What do you think Devin? Kinda tall huh?  The giraffes having a discussion with their camel neighbors  Closer view of the camels  Mama and Devin ready to move onto the next animals  Roos!  A shy ostrich, he wouldn't come any closer  Some flamingos lurking about  Here's the group riding the zoo carousel. It was very nice, heck overall the zoo is really nice  Jared playing on (in) the animal playground  Our little joey  Hi everyone! (that's the carousel building in the background)  A nice bison  And something we don't have at our local zoo, a grizzly bear  The polar bear coming out to view the crowd  And enjoying the sunshine  Easter back at Great Grandma's, Jared searching for eggs  Devin in on the fun also  Where are those silly eggs?  The little D found one!  Daddy! There's candy in these things!  Hmm, where's my basket?  There it is!  Devin got one too, look at the goodies the Easter Bunny gave us  Devin trying on big brother's shoes  Mr. Serious  Our wonderful boy trying out his new harmonica over and over. Why did we get him a new harmonica? Oh darn, did it break?  Ready to head back to Michigan  Great Grandma kissing her littlest great-grandson goodbye |
Go to our main page