Tank Videos

Here are a couple videos Brian took of the fishtanks a couple weeks ago. We had a difficult time getting them uploaded, and once they were uploaded they were not available for 4-5 days (not really sure why). Anyway, the delay wasn't a big deal, but these videos are a little outdated now. In the main tank, we have 3 more soft corals (see previous post--pics still coming). In the secondary tank, we only have one fish now (we took the bully back to the fish store). Enjoy!

Main Tank Tour:


Secondary Tank Tour:

Happy Birthday Josiah!

Although Josiah's birthday isn't until tomorrow, Brian and I gave him our gift when I was in Holland a couple weeks ago in May. Here is a series of pictures illustrating that moment. Enjoy your markers Joes! We love you!

New Corals

This week we got three new soft corals in the mail. They seem to be adapting pretty well to their new surroundings. One of them arrived covered in a lot of green macroalgae (looked like a bunch of green hair), but the tank cleaner crew (ie. the crabs) took it upon themselves to clean it off right away. They ate away all the green in the first day, so now we can really see the coral itself pretty well. That one is purple and covered in little nubs that open up during the day to extend a bright wavy arm. We also have a plate coral (which has little extendo-tentacles as well and it bright green), and another one that I don't remember the name of (but I can tell you it is bright pink). We will post pictures soon.

Cat Sitting

While a couple we know are out of town, we are watching their cats. They have one grownup cat named Salem. They also have a new kitten named Kara. Kara is far more playful and interested in people, so we spent some time today playing with her and feeding both of them. Brian loves kittens and I agree that Kara is a cutie, but the problem with kittens is that they grow up into cats (which are less cute and playful). Ferrets, on the other hand, remain playful and cute throughout their entire life.

More Tank Work

Here are a couple more pictures from last weekend (I can't believe I didn't post all week!). Brian did some work on the large fish tank: he hooked up a large pump to increase the current. This new pump required some additional tubing cut to the correct length, which is what Brian is doing in these pictures. If Joey is looking at these pictures, make sure to point out how Brian is wearing safety glasses and special gloves when using the power saw.

Game Night

Last week Friday, we had some people over to play board games. We ended up teaching them Power Grid, which they all seemed to pick up fairly quickly and easily. It seems to me that Americans in general understand games based on utilities (which they are all pretty familiar with) better than they understand games based on some fantasy concept. Whether or not this is true, we all had a pretty good time hanging out, snacking, and playing the game.

These are pictures of our guests. (Brian works with these two women. :) )

Mrs. Cardinal

A couple days ago, I discovered that there is a lady cardinal nesting right outside our kitchen window. We have been leaving that window closed and trying to leave her in peace as much as possible. So this is not a picture of our cardinal, but it looks a lot like her. I can mainly see her beak, as the rest of her body is camouflaged. It rained last night, and I peeked out at her, hunched down on the nest in the rain.