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! :)

Coop is done, I think. Well pretty much.

Lots of photos, I know. When I get time I'll learn more about how to post them with captions. I wanted to show you what we accomplished yesterday. Lots of sore muscles and sunburn but we're proud of a job well done. The girlies go in and out of the hatch door and seem really happy with their new digs. It was hard getting them in last night but they were like sleepy toddlers, overstimulated by exploring and falling asleep in the grass, so I picked them each up and put them inside for the night. This morning I went out at about 7 and opened their door and they're having fun exploring again. They make the cutest little sounds to each other, a cross between a coo and clucking. So sweet to hear. Come visit, friends!

More coop progress

The weather has been terrible this week and we've been so busy. So our progress is painfully slow for my poor big chicks. They are in their coop but have to stay in the kennel cage during the day so I can leave the doors open. The run isn't ready and they have no hatch door yet.

Sorry, I'm not really good at formatting this blog. I've figured out how to load pictures, but not how to put them where I want them. But the pictures show that some things are happening. One side of the run has chicken wire. That's our big garden and outbuilding in the background. Jessie and Parker and I picked out paint colors for the coop...Parker hates what we chose cuz he got voted against 2 to 1. The shade names are lettuce alone (kind of a light pale green like iceberg lettuce) and sunbeam (a buttery pale yellow). The yellow is for the trim.

It's 90 degrees today so we have to get the run done tonight. They can't be cooped up, literally, much longer!