Chickens

We have had a couple of experiences with chickens lately. Last Friday was our grandson's kindergarten program. They did the chicken dance and when it was over, each kindergartener asked a guest to do the chicken dance with them. Well, Dax asked me and I was thrilled. The song that you are hearing is the very song that Dax and I danced too. We made pretty good chickens if I do say so myself, with wiggling our arms and hips, it was a real work-out! The next day we went to IFA for some seed potatoes and we saw these little chicks. They are hungry little things aren't they? The only problem with them is they grow up to be chickens and aren't as cute as they are as chicks.

The above are turkeys. Yes, you can raise turkeys for that delicious turkey dinner in November. I personally wouldn't want to raise one, but I guess some do.

Now this little fellow is a duck. When I showed this picture to East, he said, "my dad shoots ducks." Which is true, during duck season. Hopefully, this little one will go to a good home.

Now for my story. It is a true story, yes, every word of it! When Kim and Brett were young Nick decided we should buy some little chicks that would grow up to be laying hens. This would be a good project for them and teach them to take care of animals. (BTW, we already had a dog and a cat, but who am I to question the wisdom of a wanna be farmer). Anyway, we had 10 little chicks in the basement, yes, I said the basement, under lights because they can't get cold. When they started to grow white feathers, it was time to put them outside. Nick cut a small hole in the side of our shed and put chicken wire around so the chickens could get fresh air. We waited and waited, but no eggs. I felt like Lucy and Ethel on the I Love Lucy episode where they have laying hens. One day, Brett and one of his friends went out in the shed and found two shirt fulls of eggs hidden all over the shed. I guess it would have helped if the chickens had a roosting place to lay their eggs, but alas, we were new to this. Next, one of the chickens was actually a rooster. A mean, mean rooster. Everytime Kim and Brett went out to feed the chickens, the rooster would come at them. They told Nick and so being the wonderful, patient father he is, went out to show them how to deal with the rooster. He opened the door, stepped in and the rooster attacked. Well, Nick picked up that rooster and dropped kicked it. It hit the wall, fell and broke his leg. We certainly had a humble rooster after that. The chicken experiment didn't last long because one by one the chickens were disappearing and we couldn't find out why until one day Nick saw the neighbors cat eating one! That did it. We abruptly got out of the chicken business, much to the relief of Kim and Brett. So, folks, that is our experience with chickens. So as Nick and I looked and thought how cute those little chicks were at IFA, we were not tempted at all to buy any! Thank goodness!

Blessings

This is a happy little family! This was Ansley's blessing. Her dad gave the most wonderful blessing. It was very touching. Look at little Ansley looking up into her mother's face. Kim is such a good little mother! Notice her dress. This is the dress Kim wore when she was blessed. Now it goes to her and Spencer for future generations. We love you guys!

Introducing.....

We would like to introduce you to our little Ansley who was born last week. She is a sweet little thing and is so cute you just want to hold her all day long and kiss those teddy bear cheeks! Mom and baby are doing great! I wish someone would swath me and set me in one of these contraptions that has a slight jiggle to calm me sometimes.

Ansley was a big hit with her big brother. Whenever she squeaked he would get a concerned look on his face and hollar for mom!

Welcome to our family Ansley, we love you more than tongue can tell!

Carl Bloch Exhibit

For Kimmy's birthday Amie got tickets to the Carl Bloch Exhibit at BYU Museum of Art. It was fantastic! If you get a chance to go, you should. My favorite picture is Christ at the pool of Bethseda. This painting is so life-like. There are two people in the painting that really touch my heart. One is the man right at the side of the pool in the red cap, and the other a little child on the right hand side. If you move, their eyes follow you. Their eyes are almost pleading. It makes me think of all those who are suffering that need help and are looking towards us for that help. It makes me want to be a better person. Anyway, Kim, Amanda, Adrien (plus Elle), Amie and I were able to go. Lacee couldn't because she and Scott and the family went down to the cabin for the weekend. Afterwards we went to Zupa's for a sandwich. We had a wonderful time talking and laughing. I took this picture while we were eating. Isn't little Elle cute?

Exciting News!

Brett is getting married to Amanda Christensen this spring. We are so excited. They have been dating for about 5 months and have known each other about 7 months. They are in love and it is so sweet to watch. He did the traditional asking of her father and mother and then asked her this week. It was really neat. He asked her at the same place Nick asked me to marry him and Jarom asked Adrien to marry him, which was at the BYU Bell Towers. If you want a girl to say yes, ask her at the bell towers, ha, ha. This is a special time for our family, the last one to get married. The next few months will be exciting as they plan their wedding. Brett and Amanda would like Brett's mission president, who now is a sealer in the temple, to perform the marriage. Hopefully he can. We feel very grateful Brett has found someone like Amanda. She fits into our family just right!!