August 15 - Day One of GRACE Family Camp and More Chick Pictures :)

We are getting ready to go on a family vacation for the weekend at Fort Lone Tree, near Capitan New Mexico. This morning we moved mamma chicken and her brood out of her brooding box and into a small cage is some big weeds (one of the few things...other than animals, that we can grow here) so they could have sunshine, fresh air, and shelter in the weeds. Below are some better pictures of the chicks. We had a whole photo shoot, but if you have ever tried to take pictures of animals, or of anything living for that matter, you end up taking lots of pictures and come up with only a few good ones.

Gabe's chick, Goldie. He has no idea whether it is a boy or girl, but its name is Goldie none the less.

They are so tiny (did I mention that before?)

We ended up getting started a little later than planned then took the wrong turn in Roswell, New Mexico. When we looked on the map we saw a road connecting the road we were on and the one we needed to be on. One thing we hadn't counted on was the road was a dirt road made for off-road vehicles and cow. We made it though with out 15-passenger van.

 Later when we arrived they hosted a dance as that evening's entertainment, unfortunately we didn't get any pictures, because they were using our phone as a music source.

August 11, 12, and 13 - New Additions

Our little Bantam hen, Sandi, set on her second clutch of eggs this summer and hatched out 6 beautiful chicks these three days. She had a clutch of 10 of her own eggs to start out with and a couple of Road Island Reds that we put under her. We had three the were not fertile, two that had issues with hatching, one that died from falling into her water, and one got hurt. The rest of them are healthy and happy. She turned out to be a great mother, I wouldn't suggest anyone trying to cuddle these babies.

On the 11th we checked on them during morning chores and we heard peeping and saw quite a few peep holes. 

This picture was taken at about 3:30 and as you might be able to see the chick is almost dry. This was the first one, all the rest were out when we went down to do chores the next morning. It was christened Rocket, need I explain why?  

This is Gabe's chick, Goldie

Anyone want to mess with that mamma?

Most of her chicks looked like this. One gold one, one tan one, and four striped ones. I will try to get better pictures of them when they are moved out of this box.

Mamma didn't want a camera in her face any more.

This isn't a good prospective picture, but they are so tiny. I can put one in my fist and you couldn't tell I had it.

She's not fat she just has 5 babies she is protecting from the camera.

Tired of chick pictures yet? Good neither am I. I will keep you updated on their growth.

August 9 - Mason's Birthday

A good friend of ours, Mason G. turns 13 this weekend. He invited Zach and Kacy along with Dylan Whitworth and Lexi Carroll to spend the day at Buffalo Springs Lake today. We had a lot of fun tubing, knee boarding, and....trying to wake board. 

Mason's Uncle unloading the boat...

...Here's Mason's idea of waiting patiently for the boat to get unloaded. This is about how it was all day, everyone was goofing around all day long. But, almost, nobody got knocked into the water.

The Driver of the boat was none to kind to the riders tied to the back, he loved trying to throw us off...at least those that had some idea of how to do it.

Dylan had a very good idea how to do it.

Ouch!

See that person way out there? He just got dumped.

Mason Knee Boarding. He, Dylan, Lexi, and Zach did really good.

I don't know who that is, but that looks like it hurts.

Happy Birthday Mason!!!!!

August 8 - The Best Baby

Some very good friends of ours have added another sweet child to their lives Emma Francis Best. She is so precious and is very loved by her wonderful parents and her older brothers and sister. Today we took super to them and went to see her. She had just woken up from her nap when we got there so she was a little grumpy, but so precious that nobody noticed. She is so healthy!!!

August 2 - Helping a Friend

A couple from church has been such a blessing to us these past few months by feeding our chickens, so Daddy and the boys helped them put in an outdoor office today. After some challenges and and lots of thought put into it they got it in the right place without much trouble.

Starting to get the office off of the trailer.

It's off, but now to keep it upright on the forklift without breaking any of the windows.

Being held up by a car jack and a couple of wooden blocks.

Dad used an old telephone pole to frame it and to have a place for the forklift to lift on.

It's in place!!!!

Have you ever had a project that had you puzzled? If so what did you do?

July Creations

This month has had a few creations, but not as many as other times. If you have been keeping up with this month you would know that we have done quite a bit outside and with the animals. We have done more than what I have put up, but there is only so much you can say before you are repeating yourself.

The Indian Blanket flowers all of the girls at Molly's birthday party.

The beautiful Horse cake Janessa made for the party.

Because of the "art lesson" at Molly's birthday party, Janessa painted a picture for her chemistry notebook. And Shea made a wheat field. I think they did rather good.

A rock monster that Shea made for a lego contest. I'll let you know if he wins.

A banner that the younger boys surprised us with on the 4th of July.

And a cake for Mrs. Jenny that Janessa made.