This week

I have had a ton of school work this week, which general means all other "fluff activities" get pushed to the side. Examples of "fluff activities" in this case would be: reading the book I got from the library on Monday (and have yet to crack the cover of), painting my toenails (which have finally recovered from numerous nasty breaks incurred while dancing and are now ready to be painted again), and yes, blogging (there is no need for a parenthesis here, because if you are reading this, you probably already noticed that I have not really blogged this week). Hence, instead of making all the little posts about what we did this week, here is one big post, with lots of pictures of lots of things. Enjoy!

Hanging out in the mall to avoid the bad weather is only fun so many times... After weeks of thinking, Dad came up with the perfect alternative.

The weather was nice enough for a very hasty picnic, after which we fled to the most comfortable place in the zoo imaginable this time of year.

The Jungle!! It was lovely warm and humid. After the first ten minutes, most of us had our jackets tied around our waists...

I love the zoo. It holds many, many good memories for me. Growing up, my mom instilled in me a wonder of living things by taking us kids to the zoo as often as she could. It always feels a little like home to me.

I am posting this picture solely for the purpose of being able to caption it, "Yes, I dressed myself."

What an awesome idea, Dad! Let's do it again soon!

Back at home, this was a project week. There was the meringue/strawberry dessert cooking project with the younger set.

There was a culmination of a long project the guys have been working on. Yes, this is the 656 in fact running and working! I am so proud of you guys!!

Isn't she beautiful!! Especially now that she is out of the garage...

Then there was Trina's project. I will warn you now, hers was not for the faint of heart.

I am not really sure why we always have to butcher chickens when it is cold outside. It is not like they did not need to be butchered for the last 8 months... Trina volunteered, and roped some other volunteers in with her. Timo even got up early and did his school so he could help Trina butcher before she went to work. You guys are awesome!!

You can't say I did not warn you... For those readers who remember, this makes me think of the Great Butchering Party of 2005. Only then there were 100 birds and guys with machetes in their teeth. I think I need to find those pictures...

This is Timo, being brilliant. Apparently the fire was not going well enough, and he connived this way of giving it some wind to help out.

Well, that is it until next week folks!! (Don't worry, in my time zone that is only 1 hour and 2 minutes away from now...)