L of L Update and a Chicken Update

I have decided on a new breed of chicken, the Buffs I found out are piggies and will eat way too much food. I'm going with a Roc hen they are a black and white plus an anaconda or two for blue and green eggs and Bantam because Suzie says they are great mothers and will take care of the day old chicks for you. But those advantages won't be evident until next year. I have decided to go with the day old chicks, the numbers just don't add up with the price of the older hens. Of course Dad and I are a little concerned about keeping baby chickens alive and healthy but we can learn and be successful, I'm pretty sure. Here are the red coat hooks in the entry.

A view of the kitchen. Ernie has the faucets in and the under-sink plumbing done on the kitcken side. The bathroom under-sink plumbing is missing a couple of parts. Dad sprang a leak in his studio where the water source is coming from. The hot water heater is bought and will be installed next week.

The stove. Ta Da!

Ernie showing off the faucet. It's very simple but works well and will be easy to keep clean.

The towel hooks and a towel shelf in the bathroom area.

Just had a mama and baby white tail deer in the front south field. I think it's the first time I have seen one in our front fields and in the middle of the day. They waited to jump the fence until a car came a long. Mama made it across the road but the baby stopped mid-jump until the car passed. Car and deer are fine.

Aunt Mel Hosts a Reunion

These are a run down of Fridays activities. Princess Party, Chinese New Years and Joseph. None of us misses one of Melani's shows if we can make it, they usually end up being a great family reunion. Uncle Michael is in Israel and Uncle Matt and Aunt Di are poor newly weds and it's tax season for Uncle Matt. The rest of us converged on Utah in style. This is really why Granadpa comes, he needs his grandkids. Diana has a crush on Christian.

Here are Christian and Sarah at Renee's Princess Party. Renee invited all the cousins with girls for star sandwiches, fizzy punch and brownies. It really was the perfect menu. They also made wands. They had a blast and the grown-ups were able to just visit and visit. It really was perfect. Jinii, Michael's wife (not our Michale Boren, Hugo's Michael Boren)came with Addison and I loved it becauase it really was the first opportunity I have had to get to know her. What a great addition to the family. Ryan, Dad, Nathan and Isaac did manly things like doing research for one of grandpa's projects and getting ice cream at the creamery. Uncle Brian, David and Joshua met them at the Bean Museum to check out the exhibits there.

Jessica, Princess Sage, Marian, Princess Sarah and Jinii with Princess Addison.

Renee the hostess. By the way, besides hosting a party she also made an amazing cake for Melani's cast of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.

Princess Diana, in heels.

Next came Chinese New years at Uncle David's

Joshua and Emily. Uncle David got out all his stuff fromChina and lets the kid's wear it or hold it while Grandma read stories from China. This was a good holding activity while the Chinese food was being prepared.

Aunt Jessica cooking stir fry, fried rice and other tastey stuff.

Uncle Stephen, Isaac and Nathan in the pirate box. If you go to Uncle David and Sherrie's house it is expected that a wild game of Pirate will insue at some point in your stay. David puts on pirate music and the kids scream and get chased by sea monsters, pirates and other fantastic creatures.

Renee's amazing cake. Not only looked great but tasted fantastic. She brought it down for the Friday show and the cast loved it.

Here's the Fam waiting for the show to start. Mel does let us save seats before the house opens which we really appreciate. The show was the best ever. The things Melani is able to get out of Junior High kids is beyond belief. I heard from several audience members they had to keep reminding themselves that this was a Junior High production. It was just GOOD.

Heres the grandkids on the Egyptian steps after the show on Friday. Dad and I saw three of the four shows and enjoyed it every performance.

Here is a video of the kids playing pirates at David's house. We wonder how Aunt Sherrie stays so calm and relaxed thru life.

Valentine Dessert Night

My primary children and their families just left from our Valentine Dessert Evening. We had a great time. I loved seeing the kids play and interact with one another and it really is nice for the adults to have a little time just to visit. I have a FABULOUS Primary group. They are smart, fun and really good to one another. These kids really know the Gospel. I wish I had taken pictures but I was distracted. I think we'll do something again in the fall, maybe a talent show.

Happy Birthday Thang!

Michael is far away in Israel this birthday so we send our love this way.

This is Thang at the Falls this summer.

Michael kissing Heather who is three days his senior.
Michael has never been afraid of older women?????

Chicken Update and Other Trivia

I have spent some time researching chickens since ours haven't laid an egg in at least two months. I will go with a new breed, Buff Orpingtons, they are winter hardy, lay 300-320 brown, medium to large eggs a year. Our chicken coop figuring 2 square feet per chicken can house approximately 50 chickens. Too few and they can't stay warm. Here we thought we were giving them a luxury hotel and they can't keep warm without more body heat. They need to have access to the outside year round and need to have alfalfa hay to supplement their diet in the winter. 17 week old chicken who are ready to start laying cost about $10 a piece which seems like a lot but then you don't have to raise them from chicks . The day old chicks are running at about $2 a piece. I won't buy 50 for sure but we'll see what the budget can handle.

This afternoon we installed the oven and started cleaning the L of L. Dad finished putting the pulls on the cupboards. Murphy only reared his head a few times, but that's what keeps life exciting.

Sunday I am having my primary class and their families over for a Valentine dessert night. Jessica gave me the idea. She and Brian try to invite their children's Primary teachers and their families over for dessert sometime in January. It is a nice way to get to know everyone a little better.

We are gearing up for Melani's play. It is a fun time for most of the family to get together. Dad and I have a trip planned to Ikea to get a few finishing touches for the L of L. Ernie's birthday is Thursday the 18th so we will see if we make it to Dell in time for lunch. Breakfast for sure the Monday morning we come back.

GREAT DEPRESSION ART

This is my first attempt to painting Great Depression art. It worked in that I was depressed with the results. I just can't seem to capture the feeling I want. I need advise and direction.

Dad

JACKSON HOLE AIRPORT MURAL

This is the latest design proposal for the Jackson Hole Airport mural project. This piece is 4' high by 24' wide. It's going to be a challenge (and a blast) to paint. I'm trying to figure out how and where to stretch the paper...and then how to lay it out...and then...how in the world to paint MOOSE. Anyway, if you have any suggestions or critics - I'm open to hear them. Dad

Happy Birthday Uncle Matt

This Matt, the newest member of the FAM. We already love him and think he is fabulous. Being the ninth of ten children he already knows how to be an uncle and has the patience of Job, he is a good man. He is gentle and doesn't let much ruffle him. (I haven't seen anything ruffle him yet.)

In July when we went to see Dianna graduate we were able to meet Matt for the first time. Dianna was really nervous at what our response would be to him. Michael warned us she was really on edge and probably a little grumpy. The second we saw him there was no question in our minds that this was a good young man, but weren't able to relay that message to Dianna for awhile. The opportunity came at dinner, when I was able to give her a discreet thumbs up.

For those of us who are familiar with Thoroughly Modern Millie the angels broke into a chorus of "Oh Sweet Mystery of Life", and Dianna has been pretty much been smiling since then.

Thank you Matt for making Dianna happy. We are so glad you are one of us. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Kitchen cupboards with doors

So Thang, here are pictures, the pulls still aren't installed, they will be fun.

There is the triangle cut over the sink.

The red bench in the entry.

Dad working. The frig goes to his right, it's really the only thing that defines the bathroom sink area.

It I Had $12,000.00

If I had $12,00.00 I would pave my driveway and barnyard. I am way tired of the mud and it's only February. That's my whine for the day.