July - so far

Summer's in full swing here!

Our original 12 chicks are growing into young hens...

and starting to lay eggs! In addition, our small bantam hen finally started laying eggs again, so I believe we're up to three layers currently. We're getting about 10 eggs a week. So far, the young hens are laying small eggs due to the fact that they are not yet full grown. The large white egg is from the store, so you can see the difference in size.

Our most recent little chicks are also getting bigger. It looks like we've got one little hen and two roosters!

We've been going for walks (and seeing deer under the cherry trees!)...

playing in the sand...

enjoying the great outdoors...

and spending time together as a family.

Chris' brother and his family drove across the country to spend two weeks with us! We enjoyed watching the kids throw rocks in the water...

and wade in the river. We also made it to a parade, watched a kite boarding contest, visited the playground and went swimming at the local pool!

June

We finally finished up school and got started on summer vacation!

One sunny day, we walked part of the Twin Tunnels with friends. 

On the way there, we had to stop on the bridge while it rose to let two old ships pass under!

I harvested a surprise patch of rhubarb and made a yummy strawberry-rhubarb pie.

Good college friends came by for a visit.

The girls went on a road trip to North Dakota and back with Chris' parents. They had a great adventure and enjoyed their time with grandpa, grandma and cousin Matthew! While they were gone, Chris and I enjoyed just having one little tyke around!

One of the main reasons for not updating the blog in so long is that Chris and I were working hard to get our trampoline in the ground! It took lots of planning, digging, removing boulders and constructing, but it's finally finished.

Catch up - May

May was filled with visiting family,

silly fun,

haircuts,

helping hands,

story times,

and surprise baby chicks! Our little hen had disappeared on us a month or so before. I discovered her, hidden behind a bunch of plywood in the barn. She was sitting on a pile of about 14 eggs...and three little balls of fluff!

Abby Turns 6 - Yeehaw!

Abby turned six years old on Friday! She wanted a cowgirl party this year and we had a party with friends on Thursday afternoon:

The girls all had so much fun playing together!

On Friday, Chris' parents came out for the weekend and grandma made dinner. Abby opened up her presents from Dad and mom and Allison, much to Allison's relief (she had been asking me all week when she could give Abby her present - a Hex bug playground).

Saturday, we had my parents, my sister's family, Chris' parents and some framily (close friends that we consider family!) over for lunch. It was so fun to visit with everyone and the kids had a blast just running between the rope swing and the trampoline. The weather was wonderful (sunny and in the low 80's). Unfortunately, I didn't take any pictures!!! Ack!! Feel free to send me some if you have any! :)

Happy birthday to our special Abby who is so fun and adventurous! We love you!