CHICKEN CHATTER

It's been a while since we first purchased our four little Rhode Island Red chicks back in May.  And a lot of changes have occurred since then, as well.

We kept the chicks in a  large, heated cardboard box in the garage for the first 6-8 weeks.  During that time, Steve and I built a coop for them, from plans we purchased at the Home and Garden show in Boise.

We added the chicks as soon as the weather was consistently warm.  By now, our little fuzzy yellow balls of fluff began showing more permanent rusty red feathers, and lanky legs sprouted.  They were pretty skittish and always huddled together, amazed at the great big world outside of their cardboard box.

As time went on, their appetites increased as well as their size.  They went through a complete molt during August/September, and their voices changed from "peeps" to "clucks."

Now the 'girls' are tall and beautiful.

Their combs are unique to each, and we're learning to tell them apart.  Scarlett is the smallest and the bravest.  Whenever I set out treats for them, she's the first to investigate. The others are named Ruby, Pinkie, and Rose.  They've learned that the upper deck of the coop is their 'safe' place from the occasional dog that comes into our yard from the backyard neighbors.  And they've learned to sleep up there, too.  I don't think they actually perch on the roosting bar all night yet - just nestle down in the pine shavings on the floor.

Silly girls....

Then today we had a GREAT surprise...

...TADAAA!

The FIRST EGG!

We don't know which hen laid it, but there it was this morning!

As you can see, it is small compared to the eggs we buy at the store, but the size of the brown eggs will increase as the hens get older and more mature.

We are SO excited, and look forward to more brown beauties!  ;oD

Family Photos 2013

For my birthday. . . (I have to do a little hubby-braggin!)

So I just have to do a little hubby-braggin' as I describe the fabulous day/week that was my birthday.

 First of all, on Monday, the day before my birthday, Grandma Dawn threw Jason and me a Gender Reveal Party-- pictures will be coming!  If was SO FUN!  The room was all decorated half pink and half blue-- including two pitchers of water with dyed ice cubes--haha!  Aunts, uncles, and G&G MacKay and Brenda were there.  We started off playing games-- my favorite was a list of old wives' tales about how to predict the gender of the baby.  They asked questions, I answered, and we kept a tally as to whether according to my answers it was supposed to be a boy or girl.  Then at the end, Dawn brought out this GI-NOR-MOUS box all wrapped up, we got about 6 ipads going to connect any family members that were out of town, the kids opened it up and. . .  IT'S A GIRL!!!!!  Woo hooo!!!  SUPER EXCITED!!   I know it's silly, but I keep beaming this goofy smile every time I think about the frilly little clothes that we'll get to use again, and the fact that Brookie will have a sister to play with!  AAAA!!!!  EXCITED!!!!!

Anyhow, as if that weren't enough, Tuesday was my birthday.  Dawn bravely volunteered to give me a break by taking the kids ALL afternoon starting at 1:30!!  SOOO NICE!!   Earlier that day, Jason told me he had a special surprise for me, and that he was gonna win big brownie points for this one!  Just to give you some background, Jason is NOT (yes, this is boldface and underlined) a dancer.  He will enjoy a slow dance with me for special occasions, and of course we danced at our wedding, but beyond that. . .  let's just say it's not his thing.  I, on the other hand, LOVE dancing.  I'm a little clutzy, but I spent much of high school swing dancing and square dancing my little heart out.:)

So if you haven't guessed already, for my birthday, Jason took me square dancing!!!  It was a blast!!!  He found out about this group that does weekly square dances and surprised me with some pretty sweet doe-see-doe's!   There were only a handful of people there and I'm pretty sure we were the only couple there under 60 (maybe even 70!)  But everyone was so kind and gave us hugs as we were introduced.  I loved it!

My heart still flutters and I feel so loved that he would plan something he doesn't particularly like and happily participate for a whole evening, just to make me smile.  (On a funnier note. . . afterwards as we were driving away, Jason confessed that he accidentally goosed one of the ladies were dancing with right in the boob!  She was so short, and we all know what happens to boobs as they get older. . .  lets just say finding a waist to "swing your partner" was a hazardous ordeal at times.  Luckily all she said was a little high-pitched, "Oh!")

As if that weren't enough, after we got home, we were putting the kids to bed and when Braden realized we had been celebrating my birthday, he was so upset!  He wanted to give presents to mommy and watch her open them and celebrate too!  It was so precious!  So a couple days later, Jason took all the kids to the dollar store, let them pick out their own gifts for mommy, helped them wrap, and we had our own little party.  It was so cute-- and not bad for the dollar store-- a nail clipper set, pasta spoon, hair bands, and umbrella!  Not sure Brookie and Ethan got it--Brookie was upset at first about giving me her cute little pink gift bag and Ethan used the pasta spoon he gave me to throw balls for the rest of the afternoon.  But hey, I loved it!

Happy Birthday Lisa!!

You are such a wonderful mother, wife, sister, daughter and friend!  Hope your day is a good one!  LoVe YoU!!

Gender Reveal Party

Gender Reveal Party

My mom, being the cute grandma that she is, planned a Gender Reveal Party for Jason & Lisa's 5th baby.  With 3 boys and 1 girl, we were pretty curious to see what Baby MacKay will be!

 We played a few old wives tales games to see if boy vs. girl.

 The food table...

 We skype'd with Lisa's parents, the Bakers, the Evans, and Jesse for the big reveal.  And.....

It's a GIRL!!!  Yay!!!!

The Children's Discovery Museum

So yes, I stole this from Shannon's blog.   But there are so many fun pictures of both our kids, I couldn't resist!

Discovery Children's Museum

The Discovery Children's Museum has opened a newer bigger location and Lisa invited us along.  It's a pretty awesome place.  I love that they have a toddler area for the little ones.  It's too boring for Jake and Braden, but perfect for Brookie, Ethan and Bella. 

 Bella love the veterinarian station...

 Hangin out with Aunt Lisa...

The best part was the water area.  They could have stayed and played for hours!