Spring is almost here!

Finally, we are starting to see some signs of hope here in central Missouri! Above you see a pair of Eastern Bluebirds checking out Carol's nesting boxes. They have the sweetest little call, it isn't very loud. Below, you see Rowan giving the camera his cheesiest face. It has been a trying week for us, as he came down with a stomach bug. Just as we were starting to talk about taking him to the hospital, he turned the corner, whew! And now he's back to all his old tricks ;)

We went on a hike to the Mound with Joey, and as he was pulling on this little tree, it came right out of the ground!
Finally, these are the first flowers of the year in our yard, only about the size of a popcorn kernel. But they're flowers none the less! They are called speedwell, or veronica officinalis. Traditionally they were used as an astringent with diaphoretic (sweat inducing) and tonifying properties.