So, Today is all about birthdays at my house with it being mine and Todds birthday. From the minute the boys woke up they have been singing to me and just being so cute. We had to go to the grocery store to get stuff for Todds favorite dinner tonight. Before we left I could hear Cooper in counting all his money. This is a pretty common at our house so I didn't really think anything of it. At the store he insisted on walking down the flower aisle. I could hear him talking to Griffen saying, "see Griffen, these are the kind of flowers we need to get for mom, but we just don't have enough money." Maybe I should have let him pick some out and just buy them for myself, but I didn't.

When we got home he asked me for some wrapping paper, tape, and scissors and told me to stay put. Then he and Griffen come in with this nicely wrapped gift for me. I could smell immediately what it was...

My columbines from my yard. Coopers reasoning is because he knows they are my favorite flower. I'm not so sure the rest of the plant will make it after this, but they sure look pretty in a vase. Cooper is always thinking of me and has since given me about 15 beautiful pictures he has colored and wrapped all by himself. I hope he never loses his pampering women quality.

Haydens first Pinewood Derby

Hayden just got to start Scouts in April. Immediately we had a pinewood derby that we had just a few days to prepare for. He drew up the plans for how to cut it, chose his colors, and he and Todd worked hard on it and we were off to the races. The car started out great, but quickly lost speed. We had to make a few adjustments, change the weights, add liquid graffite, etc. to even get it all the way down the track. In the end I think he came in last place, but Hayden had a great time working with his Dad and creating something, and the family had fun just watching. People pull out all the tricks at these Pinewood Derby races! I think we need to start planning now if we want him to have a chance of winning next years race.

I'm just going to look at the candy...

It's great to be 8!

Hayden turned eight at the end of April. He had such a great birthday and celebrated with a skateboard cake. While his birthday was a lot of fun, he was really looking forward to getting baptized. This is something he had looked forward to for years and the day was finally here.
Hayden was baptized by Todd. We had lots of friends and family there for support. Hayden was so excited to get his very own set of scriptures. He has been reading them every day and really likes the book of job. I am amazed at an 8 year olds comprehension of the scriptures. He surely teaches me every day. What a beautiful day and it was so special to have Todd able to baptize him.

Ba-Gock!

We have wanted chickens for the longest time. It wasn't until a few weeks ago that we started looking into it. Luckily, Riverton just passed a new bill that we can have them! Todd started researching what it will take to raise them, the best kinds to get for eggs, and how to keep them safe. Then he started looking for things he could recycle into a pen. He was able to take a bunch of "junk" lumber from work and build it into a great coop and pen for the birds.

It took more work taking apart the old to make the new, but it was well worth it for what it saved us.

We were able to find some Rhode Island Reds from a guy in Delta. He just happened to be coming to Salt Lake this week and brought 6 hens with him for us. This one comes and greets me every time I open the door.

Then in Sandy we found a farm that had a bunch of 5 week old hens. We got 2 Black Sex Link, 2 white sex link, one white leghorn, one Americaunus (this one lays green and blue eggs), and one barred cock. They are all supposed to be great egg layers.

One of the ones from Delta even laid an egg in her crate on the way here yesterday. I can only take this as a good sign right?

Todd and the boys have all voted and think they are getting a rooster. I say, let's not and keep friends with the neighbors. This will be something I am sure we will argue about for the months to come, but I am not caving on this one.

We are so excited to be able to start this new journey and hope that it will be as rewarding and fun as we have heard it is. At the very least, the boys learn more work ethic, we get healthier, fresher eggs right in our backyard, and we learn some new things along the way.