New Landscaping

Thanks to my Dad, we now have some beautiful new landscaping in the front of the new house. Dad and Paul both put in many hours of hard labor to get this accomplished and I think it looks great! All of the bushes and trees in the front left of the house are new. I picked the white birch because it's my favorite tree. My Dad chose and arranged everything else... I love the design of the planting and also the varied colors and textures of everything.
We also have small planting of hostas and ferns and impatiens underneath the maple tree now and a few plants on the left side of the walkway. Unfortunately, the deer have started eating the hostas already! We have to figure out some way to stop them.
Zoe loves her new yard and runs around and plays outside every day. She has the best time chasing away birds, rabbits, squirrels, and even turkeys.

Turtle

Last week, I saw a porcupine on my porch and watched him scurry down into the woods before I could manage to grab my camera. I immediately called Paul to tell him because I couldn't believe it. Ever since, Paul, my Dad, Ryan, and everyone else have been teasing me because they don't think I could have seen a porcupine. I am somewhat insulted because I think it would be incredibly hard to mistake something else for a porcupine.

This incident has inspired me to try to chronicle some of the creatures that I see around the new house. So far, the porcupine hasn't been back, but today Jess and I found a box turtle in the yard!