Chicken Update

Our six little girls are still living in their big box in the shed.

I'm working on getting the base of the trampoline enclosed so they can spend a little time outside in the sunshine and fresh air, but progress (on anything around here) is made slow by a certain 2-1/2 year old (I won't name any names).
Today Brandon made some headway getting the chickies' house framed in. The smaller box that's jutting out toward the foreground will be divided into three next boxes with a lid that flips up for easy egg access.

Bring on the apricots!

In the fall of 2008 we planted three fruit trees - two apples and an apricot. This year it looks like we might just see some fruit!

Before & After

Adios, old orange. You were fun for awhile.
Our century-old shack looks good in black, don't you think?

Chicken Update

Our six little chicks are growing fast! Last week we moved them from their plastic tub in the house, out to a bigger 'brooder box' (borrowed from our kind neighbors) in one of our sheds. [Note: for 10 years we've been calling this particular shed "the chicken coop" - this is about to get real confusing since the chickens are ultimately going to live elsewhere] They've got real feathers now and we're starting to supplement their feed with veggie scraps from the kitchen. After lots of reading and planning, we are ready to start construction on their chicken house.

The chicken house building site.
Brandon and Gavin worked hard getting the four corner posts in and making sure they were straight. The cement will be plenty dry by this weekend, when we hope to do the framing and get the walls up. Then come the details like the doors, vents/windows, and nest boxes.

Random Cuteness

Muddy buddy.
Tube slide.
Chicken wagon.
My cute hubby installing our cute new shutters using a not-so-cute (SCARY!) ladder-holder-upper.

Last Hurrah with the Folks

We finally managed get out and actually do something with my folks on Friday - we visited the train museum at Union Station in Ogden, then hit the dinosaur park near the mouth of Ogden Canyon. The train museum is worthwhile for avid train enthusiasts, but you don't have to be a dinosaur lover to love the dinosaur park. Nana and Papa hit the long road home on Saturday morning and still have a few hours of driving to do before they get to their sweet home, Chicago. We miss them but look forward to heading out their way for a visit in July.

Horsin' Around with Nana & Papa

My mom and dad are visiting this week from Chicago. They made a special trip out to deliver the rocking horse that my dad made for Gavin. It is exquisite - almost too beautiful to play on. I don't want to put any scratches in it! Gavin's first response was, "turn on?". He wondered where the power button was. It didn't take long for him to warm up to the idea of riding it, though, and now he insists on wearing his cowboy hat whenever he mounts his trusty steed. Nana and Papa are in for a long week of babysitting while Brandon and I are at work. Our sweet little 2-1/2 year old seems to be going through some growing pains. Maybe his 2-year molars are finally coming in. Maybe he's just terrible 2. One thing is for sure: he has a mind of his own and he's determined to push the boundaries of disobedience. It's just a phase.... right? Anyone? Please tell me it's just a phase.

First ride.
It's even sturdy enough for dads!
Thank you, Papa!
The masterpiece.
Flying the osprey on a windy but warm afternoon.
Giving kisses to Nana on the upswing.
"Heee Ha!"

Easter Festivities

Gavin enjoyed smooshing the egg shells as much as he enjoyed coloring them.
Our egg zoo. Please note the clever stripes on the zebra. That's about as creative as we get.
Some kids get Easter baskets. Ours has an Easter bucket (which came from the depths of one of our outbuildings - not sure where it came from originally, but better to re-use than buy new, I always say!)
Sorting through his loot.
Cheesy chocolate grin.