Another Saturday Surprise

Paul came home from his Saturday morning game of flag football with a cardboard box and four new chicks!  They were given to him from Alex (whose uncle didn't want these Easter chicks anymore).  They are beautiful brown chicks, we don't know what kind yet.  I'm hoping the other eleven chicks accept them into their group.  All day they were huddled together in the corner.

WARNING:  Calling all friends to NOT donate animals to our family or else you will have the wrath of Tiffani.  :-)  

A Saturday Surprise: Pigs!

Last night after coming home from Lowes, I was helping Vivian get to bed when Olivia told me that Paul had bought two stinky pigs.  What?  We haven't even seriously talked about this subject.  I knew that he had been working on some outside project for hours but I didn't know he had bought farm animals.

I quickly ran outside to see for myself.  And sure enough this is what I found - two scared pigs.  Paul thought it would be a good surprise for me.  Has he not learned that I don't like big surprises like this?  How about surprising me with doing the dishes, folding laundry, cleaning out the garage, vacuuming my van, making dinner, etc?  Those things would all qualify for a great surprise.

As you can see in the picture above (pig's eyes look funny on this photo) that even Smokey, the cat, is surprised to have more animals.  He watched them from a safe distance.

Last Saturday we bought chicks, today we got pigs.  I wonder what next Saturday will bring (hopefully nothing).

Easter Chicks Arrive

Paul promised the kids that we would get chicks around Easter.  So Saturday was the day!  We bought all the supplies, including a heat lamp, water container and base, feeder, chick starter feed, wood pellets, and chicks.  We spent about $50 in all.  The girls loved up the chicks while Paul built a brooder box for them.   At the time we didn't realize that they were only 4 days old, we were told they were older.  We then had some sadness because one chick died Easter Sunday and a second one died Monday!  That's not very good odds, considering we bought six chicks!

So Monday (after school) Corbin and I bought another 8 chicks for $12 (they only charged us for 5 because of the two dying and they added a bonus chick).  So now we have a total of 12 cute little chicks chirping all day long! Now the kids are praying for the health of the chicks.  They are a fun addition to our home and keep me company during the day.

Aren't they so cute?  These are the Brahma chicks.

 Here is the mixture of the Brahmas, Red Sexlink, and Black Sexlink Chicks

 Smokey watches the chicks daily with intense curiosity.  I think he is secretly counting how many chicken dinners this could be for him!  The chicks are completely safe from him so don't worry.

 Black Sexlink Chicken

 Red Sexlink Chicken

 Brahma Chicken

 

Here are some beautiful chicken eggs from Meredith, a friend in my ward who has two dozen chickens on her little farm!  The eggs are so beautiful and they made delicious scrambled eggs for Easter breakfast.  Hopefully our little chicks will produce eggs like this (in about 6 months).

The Cow Whisperer

Some people might find that it is strange that I stop and talk with the cows (after my walks).  I plomp myself down on the ground and try to have a little conversation with them.  I know they don't talk back, but they are just as curious about me as I am about them.  They inch closer and closer and continue to trade places with each other to try and get a better view!  Their noses are busy as they try to catch my scent.  I think they are recognizing me now.

After my visit with them, I decided to hurry back home (just two houses over) and grab my camera.  As soon as I returned, they came jogging over to the fence!  I think we are becoming friends. 

 Isn't he cute?

We have a curious sniffer here!

Good bye cows, I will see you later.