SUCCESS!!!!!!!!

My second attempt at hatching has resulted in the below. The little guy/girl pipped late last night and really started to zip this morning. Around 8:30-8:45 I called the girls downstairs to observe. The little guys was working hard and at 8:55am the girls and I watched our first chick completely hatch from its egg. What a great and cool thing to experience!
Enjoy!

Integration

I brooded my heritage chicks in the house for about a week. They were growing quickly and needed more room to run and spread their wings so out to the coop they went. This is what the meeting looked like.

Busy little chicks.

Getting down to business...

Ummm excuse me, you interrupted my growing....go away!

Who are you and what are you doing on our turf??

I'm so lost.


Everything went really well and now they cuddle up with each other for a snooze. Chickens that get along make for a happy farmer :-)

Move over...

Bill Paxton, this is the reality version of Big Love. The great thing about it is there is no commitments and the starring roles are much, MUCH cuter.

Both babies loved little Tyson and were showing affection is the natural uncontrolled ways. Both moms were worried for little Tyson and moving hands, saying "gentle" and laughing. I was trying to take pictures but was laughing so hard the pictures are blurry in areas. It was funny and a great capture.

Seriously....

does it get any better than babies and chicks?? I'm not sure but it sure makes for an awesome photo opportunity. Everytime I see these sweet smiling faces they steal a little more of my heart. They make me smile! Oh and their moms are great too!!

Jolly Jumper

As promised my love...

ETA: I just watched this and about half way through there were two loud buzzes. I don't know what it was but it was not me farting!!!!

Awwwww

A dear, long time friend of mine had her first baby on Saturday, a girl. The little peanut made a quick entrance into the world weighing in at 6lbs 1oz. The new mom has been apart of my life ( and my families) for 15 years ish. She was always at our place or we (my sister and I) were at her place. The years have seen us head in different directions but the friendship always picks up without missing a step.

Natasha had a dentist appointment in Edmonton this week so I was hoping she might be up for a quick visit. I told her I would have my whole crew with me (giving the new mom an easy out) but she still insisted we come over.

So off we went for a cuddle and visit with the new mom and baby. I took my camera along as their were other members of my family anxious awaiting to see this baby. I got some nice shots of baby Isla and had somewhat of a visit (though interrupted with 5 kids in the room). Baby Isla is an absolute doll, who to me looks like her Auntie. The new mom is doing wonderfully and looks great. She is breastfeeding which is also going very well. She is completely and totally smitten with her daughter. It amazes me how a tiny being can grab your heart and fill your soul with a tiny glance or gentle touch. Precious little blessings....

When I got home on Tuesday I forwarded some of the photos to the new mom and her mom. I got home tonight from meetings to find this in my inbox from the grandmother:

They are beautiful Danica, what a gift they are to me. You have a "way" to capture uniqueness.

When you are thinking of calling yourself a photographer, accolades like that make you believe that just maybe you can do this. I am so glad and honored to have given them some photos they may cherish many years down the line.

I would love to share the pictures however I never got permission from the mom or dad. I don't feel comfortable posting pictures of their first love, their first baby, their daughter without their prior knowledge.

Outside Play

The beautiful weather has the girls outside from morning until bedtime. They love it and its amazing what one year will do for confidence outside. The girls listen better outside than they do inside and follow any rules I lay out. Yesterday they planted some seeds but I am not sure what went where so we are in for a surprise once they start to sprout. Here are some pictures of the girls, pre bath and post bath. Notice the difference in dirtiness. Ashley is seriously a magnet for dirt but as my uncle always says "the dirtier you are the more fun you had!"

Funny

This is a really funny dance act on Britain's Got Talent. Michael Flatley gets spoofed by a father/son duo and they do a damn good job. Its really worth a peak.

Hi Daddy

Tyson

Ashley and Hala (chick)

Spring on the farm....

brings friggin cute babies. Today was a big day on the "little farm." We have many, MANY little babies. These little darlings are being brooded in the house while the supper chicks are in the coop. The chicks in the pictures will hopefully spend many years with me and add some nice diversity to my current flock. Supper chicks (aka broilers) will be butchered at the end of June which is perfect timing for summer roasting on the BBQ. Yummmmmm...

I love my chicken addiction!!






Be warned - chick pictures with the girls, chirping videos and all things chicken will continue to follow.

Disapproving Rabbits

Another blog I stumbled upon reading other blogs. Sometimes its a little silly but this morning I saw this and really laughed out loud. Clever little rabbits.

Why Mother Nature, WHY???

The snow is gone. My tulips are pushing up from the ground. There are blades of green grass. The chickens are bathing in dirt and loving being outside. The girls are exhausted at the end of the day from all the ouside play. Why do you tease mother nature?? Why was I so hopeful this was really the beginning of spring??

Warnings
Leduc - Camrose - Wetaskiwin - Tofield
9:52 PM MDT Monday 13 April 2009
Snowfall warning for
Leduc - Camrose - Wetaskiwin - Tofield continued

10 to 20 centimetres of snow expected by Tuesday afternoon.



A low pressure disturbance currently over east central Alberta will move slowly northward and intensify as a cold upper trough moves over the province. This system is expected to generate fairly significant precipitation amounts by Tuesday evening. Snow is already being reported with this system over the foothills with up to 20 centimetres expected by Tuesday. East of the foothills the precipitation will start as rain but will change to snow this evening or overnight. 10 millimetres of rain followed by 10 to 15 centimetres of snow are expected in these more eastern areas. In addition in the wake of the low strong northerly winds will develop over most of central Alberta.

Love me again mother nature and make this snow go away as quickly as you brought it.

Big Heidi Girl

We have a lot of standing water since all the gorgeous warm weather. Heidi really likes the water and runs through it like a little kid. Johnny hates water and will hope over any puddle like a little mary boy. Heidi just continues to grow and grow but she is a sweet dog.

Easter Sunday Morning

The Easter Bunny left the kids some wonderful things. The girls (and Tyson) had four clues in the house and the rest were outside. There were little treats left along the hunting trail.
And the hunt is on...

What a Woman...What an Easter Hunt!!

This Easter Sunday was spent at Auntie Betty's enjoying good food, good company, and good (but excited and loud) egg hunting children. We could not have asked for better weather. The sun was shining and so were everyones spirits. The kids were very loved by Auntie Betty (or spoiled). You know its a great day when you get home 3hours later than you expected.