Garden, chickens, trees and more

Here is an update for the blog world.

Our chicks are growing wonderfully. It has been interesting watching them grow and change (it happens SO FAST). I was out of town for 3 days and looked at the chicks on the fourth day in the morning and I was nearly shocked at how much they grew in a little over 72 hours. They started out a little bit shy and timid but would warm up to us after we picked them up and held them for a bit. Now however they jump on our hands and want out of the cage at the first chance they can get! They seem to like us and are very curious. We see a little different personalities in a few of them and are trying to think of names. The only one so far is Susan Anthony (or sue or suzy for short) given by Brianna. She seems to be the instigator ... quick to stir the girls up into curiosity and mischief. It's fun to watch them.

Here are a few recent pictures:

And here is a picture of their future home. Corban designed the coop but I think Tylor helped him get it up. It sits right between our house and garage and one wall of it is the breezeway that goes between the two. It was made mostly from recycled materials; I think the fencing is the only thing that is new.

To the left of the coop is the clothes line

Inside the coop is Lily digging a hole and having the time of her life ... she does not live there but does enjoy playing when the weather is nice.

And next to the coop is Corban in the garage building bird houses for a man that ordered 6.

Now for the garden progress. Our seedlings are sprouting and doing well. We hope to have enough to sell at the farmers market or wherever.

Here is a seedling Corban is transplanting (he transplants all the extras into their own pots). It shows how the root is at least twice as long as what is above the dirt.

Outside things are moving along as well. Today is a beautiful sunny day, so it was a great day to get a few pictures.

A neighbor came by and tilled up the larger part of the back of the garden. I guess he saw them out there hacking away at it with various tools and decided to help them out a little. Now they are busy sifting out the rocks, but I think they are nearly done.

Stuff in the green houses are growing just fine.

These are beet sprouts and I think they are in a green house.

Here are some spinach sprouts in an unprotected bed.

Some spinach and lettuce made it through the whole winter unprotected:

Across the street from our garden is our church. Last fall we planted 6 peach trees and 2 apple trees in the church yard. Those seem to be doing well so far.

I think the blossoms are so beautiful. These are peach blossoms.

The boys are still working on their larger garden in the country. A brother's dad is helping them get drip irrigation for it, but there is a lot to calculate and plan yet and I think Corban is working on that today.

That's all for now. Well ... maybe I'll share a few recent pictures of the children. I took these right before I left last tuesday morning:

Brianna doing laundry

Corban by the wood stove

Tylor studying Spanish

Brianna got me drinking a green smoothie before I left