Lazy layers

Well the ladies aren't laying many eggs around here... Maybe they are getting old, or the heat may be getting to them. I've also heard too many treats can throw off their nutrition for laying... We went from 4 daily to 1 per day total!! And ara eats yolks like crazy too!

Since we inherited our flock there's no way to know the ages of the hens... We were told they were different ages... I am not really cutting back on the scraps...

We make a lot of food scraps and the value of veggie waste going into another mouth to feed is so awesome, especially when compost needs are slim. 

Since they aren't laying much we dread running out of feed. The organic laying feed is easily 25$ more per bag than the non organic... Seriously! Dang!! It's almost double the cost. But what's the point of having your own chickens if they get fed the genetically modified soy & corn stuff anyway. Not to say it isn't tempting. Especially when I'm getting an egg a day. Ugh! 

we have also been giving them organic scratch. When that ran out a bit ago I thought I could make some. Good thing I'm a bulk pantry shopper, as I had most ingredients on hand. I didn't have cracked corn but I tossed in polenta. They didn't seem to mind. 

I just mixed together flax, oats, polenta, and sunflower seeds. It provides nutrition and also gives them something to do. I've also been giving them flaxseed regularly to increase the omegas in their eggs. Or egg. 

In these 100 degree days of summer they have been doing pretty well, enjoying their dust baths and fresh water provided most days twice per day. 

We enjoy the activity in walking down to the coop but some days I will admit I wish it was a bit closer. 

There is also a new chick, Peepers, who is staying in a nearby apartment until big enough to let the pecking order ensue. 

Camping up @ Cisco Grove

We have been wanting to take our trailer camping for a while but we had a few other things planned.. Ya know like a heart surgery for O. We did camp in it then but only 1 night as a family. 

Coming from a family that tent camped a couple of times a summer, and backpacked a few times growing up as well, I was a little resistant to the idea of trailer camping. That is all old news, I love  it! We've gone on a few trips and with kids is amazing to have a tub and kitchen if you need it. 

We were only in the car 2 hours and this happened at the same time! For about 30 mins they both slept. This is a minor miracle- their naps haven't overlapped in weeks. 

Goofy dirt balls.

Dad and sis snugging.

There was a swing set which was right up Owens alley- he could be pushed ALL DAY! 

The campsite was gorgeous with tall pines and a view of a tall peak. 

We were hiding behind bushes to scare dad and sis. 

Chris and I had some adult time as nana watched the kids for a couple hours. We were one of 3 rzr's (utv/side by side) aka dirt toy on steroids. 

The views were breathtaking. It reminded me of backpacking minus the physical work, and arriving to our destination in very little time.

Here is another lake, lake sterling. It was about 10 miles down a crazy dirt and rock road. There were people camping right on the lake- so peaceful. There were some ominous clouds but the ride was dry. 

Me and Chris's sis Amanda. 

We climbed from camp ~5000ft up to 7300ft (in the rzr) up to signal point- an amazing vista point higher than any peak we could see!

My chauffeur. 

Breathtaking views!

One of the few moments she & I were asleep. Seriously. Never. So. Sleep. Deprived. Going. A. Little. Crazy.....

Fort in the trailer.

These two!

Ara had a great time and learned the phrases "not food" and "not for your mouth".  

And then there was one! The rest of the crew left and we had the entire camp to ourselves. It was so serene, the freshest air from the summer rain. Arabelle and I went on a long walk and she fell asleep in the stroller. 

Another family walk. All of these pics are from my phone so a lot of up close ones. 

Ara was saucered up a bit, she didn't mind! Loves her canning jar lid- best toy ever. 

O did amazingly at elevation. After each surgery we were always hesitant to take him to elevation. He seemed to have more energy! He walked all around all day, and we played some wicked tag. It was so heartwarming to see him exert himself and tolerate the elevation without becoming too short of breath. Before his surgery he would be huffing and puffing just walking around. So glad we got that done and out of the way. 

Cheers to more rounds of me beating Chris at war, telling stories around the campfire, hikes, dirty kids, nails artfully in tires, us getting locked out of our trailer, good eats, dance parties, racing cars in the campsite, O singing "like a prayer", and "Barbara Ann," gorgeous views and nature 24/7, tag thru the pines, insane sleepless nights, camping with a crawler, and spending time with the fam. 

So blessed to have the time to spend together. 

Owen's 4th Birthday

I get all mushy when I start thinking about O, his adventures, and what is to come. He has already been through so much and he will be in the hospital again in his lifetime. But enough about all that, yesterday was a day for HAPPINESS and LOVE and CELEBRATING!!!

He had the sweetest smile on his face opening up his two presents from us. I made him his usual shutterfly photo book of the last year, and also some early reader bob books. He was stoked. We also scored on a used power wheels from Chris's friend at work. 

 O wasn't too excited about it, he really wasn't. He loves cars, motors, etc, but when it comes to him driving them the noise gets to him. Chris was driving out front and kinda sorta ran into his truck. The funniest part was Chris saying "Let off the gas, let off the gas" and his foot was the one on the gas!! Note to self, clean up the front of the house...

 O did finally warm up to it, and had fun running over cones in the feild. He also had his trusty stuffed animal Monk (monkey) in the back to make the ride a little smoother.

We went to In and Out for a special lunch of fries. He could probably eat 2 servings, as he usually asks for more! He doesn't eat a burger or a drink but I can't wrap my head around ordering him 2 sides of fries. It was fun and we headed home so he could nap.

 Then off to Wynts for a small family dinner celebration.

 Our little fam in the water. Kids in goofy hats. Love it.

 This one!

 It is a saltwater pool, but that tongue wouldn't stay in her mouth!

 O loved the water, hopefully we can ditch the random floatation devices next summer.

 Gram made it out! I asked her to come a few days back and I wasn't sure if she would. But she got out, looked great, and partied!

 Auntie Wynt said the little bathing suit Ara is wearing was her youngest, Elise's. Keeping it in the family.

 Quick group photo of the girls

 My boys

 Quesadilla bar for dinner- O's choice.

 The Britton clan representing! Nana and Papa and Lois

 Auntie Amanda made an awesome batman cake!

 Zo had to hold 3 babies, at once, or else a mini tantrum would ensue.

 Concentration tongue

 laid back, present opener. He loved the cards more than the gifts, ha! He had this little high pitched voice he would describe the cards or gifts with- priceless!

 A few purty gals

 This one is boycotting day sleeping... Even after I have tried a mini schedule... She was trying to stay in the partying mode but was melting down.

 Such a happy boy! This was his FIRST year eating his birthday cake. He has had many firsts this year. He completely potty trained right after Ara was here, about 3.5 years old. Those were some big diapers, guys! He also has tried new foods~ popsicles, cake, bites of raw broccoli, bites of strawberries, different flavors of yogurt and kefir, fish, falafel, and noodles. That is pretty big for our guy, who still struggles with the gags with new foods.

He also sat in a cop car, sprayed a fire hose, mastered the art of bubble blowing, and of course, became an older brother! I may do 3-4 year old highlights for a future posting...

 What a blessed year we have had. Not the easiest but blessed for sure. Everything was great for a somewhat last minute birthday dinner to celebrate my boy! He is so pure and simple I just didn't want to complicate things or have anything too elaborate. Or maybe I'm just telling myself that. Sleep deprivation is taking it's toll and I can't keep some details straight. Did I do that? Did I buy that? Did I text them that? Email back? Yipes.... I need to take notes for my notes... The bottom line is O is doing well and he had a total blast... He couldn't focus, listen, or sit for more than a half a second.

 Ara is zero, Lil is 10, Bryce is 20, and I am 30. The decade photo. We can do this again next year I guess but we will all be an odd number. Guess we will do it again when Ara is 10, lil is 20, Bryce 30, and me 40....

 Traditional birthday number pancake (don't judge my baggie made pastry bag for creating the 4), and fake bacon!

 this girl can partay

 BFF's eating fake veggies together

 Somehow Batman's pinata head ended up on a stick... O thought it was hilarious.

 patient for once!

 This elvis dancer toy made us all smile and laugh

 My boy!

 Seriously well documented evening!

And Zo with the babies!