Texas wildlife ...

We love our apartments on the hill. We are surrounded by trees and undeveloped land and have a great view of SW Austin. However, I'm getting the feeling lately that the critters are trying to find a way into our apartment. I think it's my own fault because I love to leave the patio door open to let in the outside air.

Here are just a few of our soon-to-be house guests:

(disclaimer - these are not photos that we have taken - just photos I pulled of the Internet as I'm not suicidal)

I met this guy for the third time in the last two weeks. Today he was waiting in the bushes outside our front door but normally hangs around the patio. I don't like him one bit.

Last weekend Ethan had the opportunity to catch a massive cockroach hanging out in our bedroom wall. He trapped it in a cup and it made the creepiest nosies scratching the plastic. THankfully we've only found one in the house but this morning I noticed a couple of them walking around the patio looking for a way inside. Yuck!
Darby met a Rhino beetle last night. It was hilarious ... the biggest bug she's ever run across (and she literally spends most of "potty time" hunting for bugs). She was bucking like a bronco and kicking up grass because she was so excited bout this massive find.
These guys hang out around the sidewalk outside and dig for bugs as well. We usually see them at night and they're Darby's main bug competition around here. I'm thankful for them and encourage them eating the huge bugs that want to live with us

Geckos hang around a lot and last summer we found a couple blending with the paint color. I would love to see one try and match the turquoise in Claire's room.