I don't think we are the only ones who like the weather out here!

When I am hiking or camping I don't really worry too much about critters, but I have to say finding them IN my house creeps me out!!!  There has been quite a few critters around my house in the last two years.  Of course starting out with spiders....they are not as big as the ones in Lehi, but there are so MANY of them!  We also had our grass torn up by raccoons, Sam even treed a 'coon on Christmas eve!  I could hear him from in the house he was so freaked out!  When the Summers were visiting we even saw an opossum  climbing on our trellis right by our window.  He just sat there and looked at us daring us to come out there.  Can I just say big hairy RAT, or R.O.U.S.es!  But to top off the feral cats and over populated squirrels out here, I have now had my second snake at my house.  The first one was on my driveway and looked and acted just like a rattle snake.  Sammy almost ran over it with the stroller wheels before I saw it!  Erik caught it and animal control came and took it away.  It ended up being just a gofer snake, which apparently do resemble rattle snakes.  FABULOUS!
Tonight as I was vacuuming I noticed a small but very real snake all curled up and trying to defend itself against my vacuum.  Red color on top and black/white striped bottom.  Was my baby just playing here?  Where did this come from?  Do I really need pest control for snakes in my house?  Sam hold the baby, no don't take her into the next room, HOLD her OFF the ground! I need to be able to see you and her! Are there more?  I wish Erik was home!  I of course freaked out (in my head) and quickly caught it and called for animal control.  Sam and Kate want a pet Erik teased me later, why didn't you just keep it?  Can I say that in the wild I am prepared for critters, they don't bother me much.  Maybe that is because I EXPECT them!  Nothing like having your "safe" place feel not so safe.  We think Meg brought the snake home from school.  They leave their backpacks outside all day long.   I can't wait to see what gets brought home next!