Wow it's been forever since I last posted...

I'm having trouble keeping this blog going with news just about my chickens because, frankly, they are just laying eggs, sleeping, and eating now.

So this may be my last post.

No, don't cry.

I'm not really the writer that one needs to be to enjoy blogging. I have trouble with each post. I so much more enjoy reading other people's blogs than creating my own.

So good bye world. (Is that dramatic enough? I am a drama queen after all.)

I'll see you when I repeatedly comment on your blogs! :o)

January 2009

It's a new year! And Michigan's weather is really getting to me. I need all my family to agree to move to...anywhere with a milder climate. I don't mind the cool fall days, and a snowfall once in a while is cool, but months of freezing temps and cloudy days are just too much. The kids and Mike had fun going down the big tobaggon run at Pokagon State Park. They maxed out at 34mph!!

We had a great Christmas this year. We let an old tradition go, the Cryderman Holidome Christmas, but we added a new one. Our smaller Cryderman family, my brother and I and my parents, put on a progressive dinner for the first time. We started at my parent's house for appetizers, came here for the main dish and finished at Brent's for dessert. The host house gave out presents after each course so that was cool too. We all got to watch the opening of gifts instead of mass chaos and flying tissue paper.

Here's the kids table at my house.

And here's the adult's table. We fed thirteen people at each house.

There's some fun planning going on for a big Cryderman get together on Memorial Day. That will be so much fun to get together and, um, eat, cause we always have great food at these types of things!! Looking forward to it already!

Special lady

My Grandma passed away three years ago today. We miss her so much and treasure the impact that she's had on so many people. Rarely in life do find such a hard-working, classy, spiritual, funny, gentle, caring person. She was an excellent mother, a great cook, a supportive wife, and a whopper of a grandma. I want to be just like her so I try a little bit harder everyday.

Look what my girls did!

September 14th, 2008, we found 3 eggs in the coop. It was like Christmas. The eggs are tiny right now as I read they would be for a while. It's like the girls have to practice making eggs or something. They'll get bigger and more normal looking in a few weeks. Since that first day we've had a total of 8 eggs. Sometimes just one a day, sometimes more. I wish I knew who was the early egg-layer of the group and who hasn't started laying yet. But now, each morning I go to the coop and see what they've done for me. Life is good!

Ryan's gone again!

Well, last Tuesday we made the drive to Allendale to take Ryan back to Grand Valley State University. He got placed in a newly constructed dorm with apartment suites. He 's in a four bedroom, with two bathrooms, and a central eating and living space. He even has a full-size fridge, oven, and dishwasher!! It's definitely better than my fist apartment! The bedrooms are tiny with just enough room for a twin bed and a desk, but with all the other ammentites who can complain?

He's so excited to be back on campus with all his friends. This first time coming back home isn't easy after a year of freedom. We'll all be used to it by next summer break, but it was a little hard for everyone to adjust to another adult living in the house. :) We'll miss seeing him everyday... but we already have plans to meet him at Uncle John's Cider Mill in a couple of weeks.

Love ya, Ryan!

The girls are getting big, just eating and sleeping the summer away. I was grocery shopping and saw this beautiful watermelon slice and had to get it for the chickens. They are so used to getting treats now that they rush the gate when we try to come in the run. They come running out of the coop when we call to them. It's so cute! I think within a few weeks I'll have the first eggs.

More details complete

We've got a cute new paint job and nesting boxes and perches installed inside. The only thing left to do is paint a sign for the coop that says "Yik's Chicks". We've discovered that the chickens love treats: strawberries, mulberries, and blackberries, as well as eggplant and watermelon. Mike loves to give them treats so much they have started getting a little pushy when I come in the coop. If I'm wearing sandals they peck at my toes thinking the nail polish is berries! I've got one sweet girly though, that will jump up into my lap and eventually get on my shoulder every time I'm in the run for more than a few minutes. Then when I try to put down she wants right back up. Such a snuggler! I'll try to get a picture with her for next time. Molly, we're ready for your inspection so give me a call! :)