So far, success!

Sorry no pictures, but here is the update:
Sunday
2:00 pm: transferred frames from nucleus colony into hive
2:15 pm: checked each frame, found lots of honey, pollen, brood (soon to be new bees), but no queen
2:30 pm: closed up hive
2:30-3:00 pm: sat nervously in my house watching the hive freaking out because I didn't find the queen
3:10 pm: suited up again on a search for the queen
3:15 pm: drumroll please.......found the queen!
3:20 - 10:00 pm: watched the hive, watched the hive, watched the hive

Monday
5:30 am: Ryan leaves house, peek out our bedroom window and watch the hive
7:00 am: Lily wakes up
7:15 am: Mommy and Lily go outside to check on bees
7:20 am: suit up to make sure all is well
7:25 am: bees must have just woken up too....calm, no buzzing, walking slowly around hive entrance
7:30 - present time: watching hive, watching hive, watching hive

Am I a little obsessed? Yup. I'm wondering if type A personalities and beekeeping are a good match :)

They're Here!

Step 1: Drive to Damascus, Maryland to pick up nucleus colony (mini beehive) - complete with one queen and her 20,000 children.

Step 2: Place nucleus colony in trunk of car.

Step 3: Try to stay calm when one bee escapes and is inside car - in back seat with two-year-old child.

Step 4: Suit-up to introduce the girls to their new home.Step 5: Light smoker to calm the bees.

Step 6: Place nucleus colony on top of my hive - their new home.Step 7: Unscrew nucleus colony "fence" and stand back as bees come flying out in all directions.

Step 8: Pat self on the back for not getting stung, and for staying calm!
Step 9: Watch as bees inspect their new home.

Step 10: Repeatedly look out window or go outside to let this new adventure sink in.More to come tommorow.......bees move into the new hive - with my help of course!

Two Years Old!

Celebration #1 on Sunday with Daddy, Mommy, Grandma Debbie, and Papa Ron!

How did this happen? Where did the time go? Happy Birthday Little Lily! Two years ago our lives changed in ways we could not have imagined. Life is more entertaining, more exciting, more challenging, and definitely more rewarding. We love watching her grow and grow with each new day, and nothing beats those great hugs and perfect kisses.

Top Ten Lily Quotes:

10. I'm gonna go in there.
9. Daddy go work....doctor.
8. I bleed Mommy (when she is crying).
7. Oh, I see!
6. Go play Mommy/Daddy!
5. Ok mommy?
4. Airplane....go fly....in the sky....far away!
3. Mommy no like the rain.
2. My party? Eat my cake???
1. Love you Mommy....love you Daddy.

We love you too Lily. Happy Birthday to a wonderful little 2-year-old!

Celebration #2 with Mommy on the big day!

Making cookies for friends at Margarita's house!


Third night of birthday cake, and blowing out the candles again!

Elmo cake - pre-birthday celebrations!

We love Papoo!

Just a quick update today....we had a fun quick visit from Grandpa, or Papoo as Lily calls him this week. Lily loved spending time with Papoo! Going out to eat, reading books, and working in the yard were just a few of the highlights of his visit. Thank you again Dad for all of your help in the yard...in case you didn't know, my dad is a genius when it comes to yard work. It's amazing what a little lawn mow and some edging can do. Plus he helped me prpare the greatest bee yard ever! We love you Dad and miss you already!

Bee update:
My veil and smoker arrived. I think I have the cutest model!