Eggs

While doing the finishing touches on McKenna's cake, Tyler ran out to check on the chickens. Then I heard her call my name telling me she was having troubles. Unsure of what to expect I ran out to help her close the upper door and she announced there were eggs. We were shocked, not only to find eggs, but 7 eggs.

Thank you Leslie for taking pictures!

-update (8/28) while the chickens were taking a dirt bath in the whole they dug by the garden they let the kids pet them. Something the kids often follow the chickens asking them nicely to let them do.

Out and Runnin'

The chickens are getting a little bold-I got pecked today while changing their water. I actually dread the day I have to chase any chickens because they've escaped-so to prove a point John let a couple of them out for a little freedom and time and to show me how to get them back in.

The girls don't mind chasing or picking them up-and I got a good kick out of it.

I couldn't help but record a little of the action.

Eventually there was success

Luckily Tate was in watching a show or this could've have been really fun!

Petpalooza

In an effort to raise money for "our" (OPT, John and our family) medical dog, John manned a booth at Petpalooza with a friend Erlene who makes and sells cute & fun accessories for dogs, and Lisa who oversees Dogs for Cures and her son Liam with his diabetic dog.

The kids and I went to support John, see all the dogs, and to have a little fun.

Which we did...

A little Face Painting

Yes and even Tate sat surprisingly still to get a lil paw print on his face.

Pony Rides

Tate loves Horses-books, toys, and well real horses from a distance! He was hesitant at first but after he saw all the ponies and sat on a few different ones he found one he wanted to ride on.

The bouncy houses are always a big hit!

Then there were the dogs-which we mostly looked at from a distance. Risso was at the booth next to John's and although I'm actually very scared of Rottweiler's this one was gently, sweet and hard not to love. Her owner Bill assured us she loved women and children and when she rolled over for her belly to be rubbed I fell for her.

We ended with the park-where McKenna practiced her Monkey bar skills and Tyler and Tate happily flew down the slide.

John didn't move much, but he did go for a stroll with us.

And then it was over...We hope we get our dog soon!

New Home

The Chicken coop is finally finished and not a moment too soon as the chickens heads were starting to hit the roof of their temporary home.

They were trying to escape anytime we went to feed them.

It's a nice little place-2 floors a nice place to roost, heat lamp when it's cold and lots of protection from the outside life. You just move it every couple of days and we're all happy. The lawn, the chickens...well maybe not the grubs or the moles but that just makes us all that much happier.

The kids were sooo excited to introduce the chickens to their new home. I'm actually surprised they still want to hold them, despite the many lessons on washing your hands afterward.

I was most impressed with Tate who has been pecked and still fearless.

The chickens were not too bright through this all though. They huddled on the cold hard ground till after the sun set and until John finally chased and threw them into the top where their roosting bar stood and the nice warm heat lamp. We're all hoping they make it through the night.

Good job on the new house John-looks fantastic!

Just a Few More...hens

Is it sad that the biggest news around here mostly has to do with Chickens...

Well John surprised us with a couple of new chicks on Saturday when he came home from work. I can't say we were disappointed-we love lil baby animals and chicks so soft and fuzzy are cute as can be. Too bad they can't stay that size. They also make the other 4 look Huge-although they are really only midsize. Our new Chicks will be Red/Brown-making it a very colorful clan.

Their names:

Goldilocks (hence the current color) & Shiver (cuz it was leftover from the last round of name giving).

We won't put them in with the other chickens quite yet. Something to do with the pecking order. But they do share a warming light. They seem to be ok with that much.

Chicken Update

Still can't believe that Chickens have joined the family...kind of.

04-2-11

Tate prefers to hold onto the heads-we're working on that one.

Can't believe the rate at which they've been growing.

And that's not the only thing that's grown-although they haven't made it out of the garage their home continues to go up

as their more more permant-roaming home home comes together.

Tyler visits the chickens several times a day-always such a sweet girl making sure everyone is well taken care of an happy.

Pickin up Chicks

Saturday afternoon we headed out to Reber Ranch in Kent and picked up the newest members of our family. 4 of the cutest lil Chicks you ever did see.

Hard to believe that Tate's favorite was not the popcorn, although he did love that! He found a display of toy horses that he went gaga over! Can't believe we made it out without one in hand.

The chicks we bought were named: Lollipop, Rainbow, Flower & Spec aka Shiver

Guess who named them?