Our new backyard pal!

I attempted to post this last week but I posted to the wrong blog. Last week while doing some yard work we came across this guy. We had never seen one before so when he decided to go onto our screened in porch, we captured it to find out more about it, mainly to make sure it wasn't an exotic invasive species. Valerie e-mailed some enivironmentalists that she works with and we figured out that this is a mature male broad head skink in mating season. There heads turn a shade of red when they are looking for love. Normally in Florida we see the younger skinks which are black with electric stripes down their back. They move in a wobbly quick snakelike motion and are very quick. The very first time we saw it we mistook it for a salamander but quickly learned that it was definitely a reptile. It was freed the same night we caught it and we hope that it is helping consume the insects in our yard.

More cake service!

Lillian opens up her gifts!

Uncle Gary and Cindy patiently wait for their piece of cake.

Nana & Don!

Nana (Alice) helped us out by watching Lillian last night while we prepared for the party.

Lalith

Alligator Cake!

Grandma (Peggy) made this awesome, milk free, sugar rich (4 pounds!) alligator cake. It was a hit! The head was a cherry chocolate mix and the center had a mocha flavored fudge interior. A true work of art and delicious!!!!!!!

GG! (Great Granmom)

Grandpa (Joel) & Grandaddy (Bill)

Pinata Time!

pinata

Alexa, Bryce, Caleb, Kyler & Lillian take shots at the Pinata. In the end, the pinata was too tough for the under 3 years old crowd. Valerie ended up ripping the guts, I mean candy out of the Alligator's center for the children.

Grandpa (Joel) and I watch Lillian try to figure out her bike

Lillian tries out her new tricycle!

Gradma (Peggy) helps her figure out how to peddle

Lillian is 2!

May 19, 2007, Lillian turn 2 years old. Here she is showing her excitement for her new "big girl" bed. She also got a new sandbox which, Oscar, our pug, decided to show is interest in a way only a male dog can (use your imagination). Lillian loves the sandbox too which were glad to have so she can play while we work in the yard.