August!

Before I post our vacation pictures, I need to post some random pictures from August. 

 

First, a family reunion with my cousins in Pella. 

 

Standing in the rain that started at the end of the picnic.

The boys were lucky enough to attend camp for 3 days in Eldora through our church. 

They both had an enjoyable time!

We had a shoe-cutting party and mailed off 200 pairs of shoes and some medical supplies to Sole Hope. 

 

We always enjoy the Old Settler's parade in Monroe. 

At the beginning of the parade with empty buckets, ready for candy!

It is a classic parade with farm equipment, emergency equipment and many classic small town entries. 

"Throw some over here, Grandma!!!!"

And a cousin was sighted in the parade.  The kids were just asking me the other day how many cousins I have.  I have 16 on one side and 12 on the other.  They wanted to know if we've ever all been together.  Um, no. 

 

The evening of Old Settler's concluded with a 20-year class reunion for me.  There were only about 15-20 of us there, out of 80 or so, but we had a memorable evening catching up. 

My friend Debbie and I. 

 

Oh, I had a birthday in August as well.  Actually, the same day as Old Settler's and the class reunion. 

The DeKalb supper where Eden got a new hat and tried to make it more pink. 

 

Eliza made a few crafty presents for Grandma Twyla. 

 

We had a Sunday lunch with my parents and got to talking about outfits and prom dresses and sewing projects.  Dad brought up his Air Force uniform for the boys to try on. 

The girls both have on blouses I sewed in high school. 

Emmet in uniform.

Garret in uniform. 

And then there was the picture of Amber in a prom dress, kissing the boys in uniform, but I'm not posting it ;)

 

Ephraim gave his "Chicken Cookie" presentation for everyone. 

 

We had a family reunion with my mom's cousins in Pella.  I rarely go, but we went this year and the girls made fast friends with several others their age. 

Name tags that trace our family back many generations. 

 

The family tree was enormous and impressive.  Eden and her newly-found distant cousin are standing by their family tree spot. 

 

Flock Expansion

We've expanded our flock in a couple of ways.  First, we got a pair of bantams (miniature chickens)from a friend's father.  They are Silver-Penciled Rocks.  Ephraim has claimed them as his own. 

 

These beauties are Ephraim's and they are named Adam and Eve.

 

Then we picked up three pairs of bantams from a breeder in South Dakota.  Thankfully, we were able to meet him outside Des Moines when he came to the Iowa State Fair.  We got three pairs of bantams from him:  Rhode Island Reds, Black-Tailed White Japanese, and Black Cochins. 

 

We've spent a couple of days getting their coop ready.  We have two coops, divided in half, so each pair is on their own.  Here are some photos of us loving our new chickens. 

 

 

The Rhode Island Reds--Prince and Princess  (Eden named them.)

Eliza with her Black-Tailed White Japanese.  This one is Abraham.

Emmet with his Black Cochins.  They have poofy feathers and feathered-feet/legs. 

The Black Cochins are very pretty.  Emmet named them Ruth and Boaz. 

 I love this pair, too. They are standing--their legs are short and their feathers hang low.   Eliza's pair are named Abraham and Sarah. 

 

Then the end of August, we got chicks!  Twenty-six of them!  We ordered a few specific breeds and then 15 Rare Breed Assortment.  We're still trying to decipher which ones will be which breeds--but it's been fun to watch them feather out. 

Thankfully, the weather has been warm enough to have them in the coop and not in the house or the garage! 

Cuties!

Meanwhile, back with the bantams, the girls decided the bantams needed a bath. 

We let our bantams out to peck in the grass while we watch them.  We've got a fenced in area divided into pens so they can have some freedom and not fight with the others. 

Feeding an apple core to her chicken. 

 

 

And some more photos of our chickens:

Abraham and Sarah, the Black-Tailed White Japanese.

 

 

They are a cute couple to watch. 

Adam & Eve, the Silver-Penciled Rocks.

The poofy Black Cochins, Ruth & Boaz.

Prince & Princess, the Rhode Island Reds.

A bantam egg from Princess!  They are smaller, but just the same as other eggs.

Eliza enjoys collecting feathers.

Some of our rare breeds are becoming noticeable.  The one in the foreground of the picture is a Naked Neck.  We have three of those. 

The white one in the middle will be a Polish TopHat with feathers on its head that will come down and cover its eyes. 

 

There you have it, our flock expansion and a look at how we spend our recess time--loving our chickens!