Save the Crayfish!

When we first got here the boys would go to the creek across the street and come home with tadpoles and crawfish. They would put them in their little tank at home, and we would check on them later that day to find none of them would ever survive. Well, I just read an article yesterday about the "endangered crayfish of Mill Creek." Yes, Mill Creek would be our creek!

Now, in the boys defense, we were never told there was anything endangered within reach! And, who would ever think that a crawfish/crayfish would ever be on the endangered list!?

Luckily for us, and the crayfish, mating season is about to begin for these poor little creatures, and we are ready to play love songs, light candles, or anything to help them get more of these little creatures in our creek. The mating season runs from Oct.-May...wow they have some energy! I am hopeful that we at least took equal amounts of male and female crayfish, as to not leave someone without a mate! I'll keep you informed!

If you have time and are interested...
here is the article I was reading...this construction is on our road...
http://www.tennessean.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080820/COUNTY0903/808200349/1181

here is an article about the Mill Creek crayfish...
http://www.fws.gov/cookeville/docs/endspec/ncfishsa.html

The Hideout!

When Terry was looking for a house over here he made sure there was a safe room (tornado room) so we would have shelter in the event of a severe storm. One thing he overlooked at this house was a bunker! You never know when the next Civil War might happen in this area again. Thanks to Kyler and Caden, we are prepared! They built this in our neighbors yard...which was very smart on their part...the sneak attack will never reach our house this way...the boys will stop the enemy in their tracks! The only problem, the neighbors dog hasn't quite learned to duck down and hide...he tends to give away the hiding place.

Fake 1st day of school pictures

So, I forgot to take pictures on the first day of school, at their new school, in their new state! So, I took them one month into the school year! They were not into it like they would have been on the first day, so the pictures are not the greatest. But, here they are anyway...

Hey everyone! We really haven't had much going on. The boys are in their 5th week of school and they really like it. Caden started speech classes today. Kyler gets to bring his recorder home Thursday...I can't wait to hear "Hot Cross Buns" fifty times a day! Terry has been a "hurricane chaser" lately...if any of these hurricanes hits one of his coastal markets, he'll have to scramble to get things up and running again. As for me, I am still trying to get the house put together.

We haven't had any new creatures or any more visitors. We closed the critter hotel...we are now using the "catch and release" method. Don't worry if you are planning a visit, we are still allowing human visits...but we may require you to sign a waiver if you plan on going up the stairs. Three broken bones in one month is too many...keep in mind two of the broken bones were on one person! Hope you are doing well mom and Aunt Betty!

Here you go Kevin!

Hey, Kevin! Sorry, but I didn't have a picture of you from your visit. This is the best one I could find...hope it makes up for it! We love you!

The Shakeshaft Inn

Here are some of the creatures the boys have caught. We were letting them keep some of the lizards and frogs until we found about 5 dead lizards at the bottom of the cage. That is when we started the Shakeshaft Inn (not to be confused with the Shakshaft Cemetery that we have now started). Visitors are allowed to stay for one night only. The snake was only around long enough to take pictures...too creepy!

Visitors

We have had so many visitors since we've been here. We moved in on June 15th, and I think we have have someone here just about every week! Here is the list so far: my dad, Terry's brother Kevin, Uncle Banks and Aunt Betty, my mom and Roger, Linda and Malea, Cindy, Craig and Seth, Randy, Paula and Karly. I think I mentioned everyone!

We can't wait to have more of you come and visit. I will write more later this week! Bye!