Monday, April 29, 2013

Chi-oo Poots!

That's "Chicken coops" in toddler. Actually, in Gavyn, since each toddler seems to have their own language. Our chickens have arrived! John worked hard last week getting the coops fixed up and ready for our new family members. We inherited them from some friend that are moving out East and won't be able to keep them anymore. Such a great deal for two reasons. 1) They were delivered right to our house, free of charge. 2) They are already laying eggs!

We have 10 chickens. That equals about 10 eggs a day! I am already thinking of new ways to use these nutritional powerhouses. I want to start my day with a baked egg on top of spinach and mushrooms. I want to make eggs in purgatory over polenta for dinner. I want to make lemon meringue pies for dessert. We are also going to be sharing some of our farm fresh eggs with friends and family. Everybody deserves to experience the difference between these eggs and the kind you buy at the store. They are just incredibly better. Not just tastier, but they have so much more nutrition. 


Grass is super fun


Watch those fingers!

Eating some corn
Ahhh our first two eggs - fried up and eaten with dinner


I never liked fried eggs until I had a farm fresh one. Ah, there is flavor. 
We have also been taking advantage of this amazing weather to work in the garden and spend lots and lots of time outside. The tulips are blooming, the garden is sprouting, and new life has come to the cow pasture! We got to see a brand new baby calf today - such a treat!


Mom, the camera again?

Going for a walk with Daddy

Daddy's face is fun!




Broccoli
lettuce

Onions

Baby Moo!

Gavyn does everything Belle does

Family walk down the lane to get the mail

Mama Moo giving Baby Moo kisses


Friday, April 19, 2013

When we get together....

...we get ambitious and crafty and we get things done! That is what happens when my Mom and I get together. That and a whole lot of gossip. While John was away for a conference earlier this week, my Mom took a couple days off work to come hang out with the kids and me. I am ever so grateful for that! The kids and I do fine on our own, but it isn't nearly as much fun as having Nana here. Gavyn is just in heaven with somebody to dote on him other than me!

I have also been doing my spring cleaning lately, and while cleaning out all the cabinets I was reminded how ugly they were. They were water stained, as well as stained with who knows what else. All of a sudden, I couldn't stand to look at them anymore.

So, I decided that while I had the help, I was going to surprise John by getting all the cabinets and drawers painted while he was gone. Not 5 hours after he left on Sunday I had gone and got the paint and gotten started! Mom got her grandchild fix and I was able to paint. Then when the kids were sleeping, Mom jumped in and helped with the project. We were able to get it done so fast, and it looks so much better. So much cleaner. I still need to put up new curtains to match, but it still looks great! The curtains are going to be a bright orange. I just love looking at my kitchen now.

Before...

After...



Tuesday, April 9, 2013

Let's Make it Happen

Ever since we moved out to the country we've talked about having a garden and raising chickens. Until now though, they were just plans. It was debatable whether those things were actually going to happen, as life sometimes gets in the way. To my pleasure though, we seem to be right on track with everything! We have our garden started, and we should be getting our chickens either this weekend or next weekend. I'm so excited! 

We got potatoes and onions in the ground this weekend, after building the fence. I plan on planting carrots, turnips, radishes, spinach, broccoli, and lettuce later this week. It feels so good to be out in the spring weather digging in the dirt. Nothing satisfies me more than having to scrub dirt off Gavyn's hands and face before dinner. 

The kids are growing like the weeds I'm sure to be picking soon. Gavyn has been really into puzzles the past few days - so much so that he is sleeping with one right now. He gets focused in and gets on a mission to do one after the other. Alli is getting so strong and is almost sitting up on her own already. Other than gardening, we have been enjoying the spring weather, going to the goat farm for breakfast and to see the kids, doing our gymnastics, having play dates, and learning all of our letter, colors, and numbers!

Baby Girl at 4 months!

Lots of Kisses in this house

Ah the love!



Alli sitting by the fire
Having a fire with the Johnstons

Playing at the park after an Easter Egg Hunt!




John working on the fence

Gavyn defying the fence

The proper entrance

Symbolism at its best


Tatoes!

Daddy and Daughter

Sunsets are the best

Watering the onion plugs


Relaxing after a hard day of work


Gavyn doing his puzzles