Zoo April 27th Highlights

Joshua wasn't much for picture taking this trip,
We arrived at 9 after dropping Josh off at the airport. There wasn't much to be said about arriving early (they open at 9) apparently all the schools decided it would be a field trip day. Wow it was crowded and a bit chilly. We tried to stick to the indoor stuff until the sun starting peaking around the clouds. All in all it was a great day. We didn't leave until around 4!

This was our first stop. We have never seen these so active. There happened to be a volunteer near to tell us about them. There are two sisters here named Nina and Lilly. She told us they can jump up to 15 feet high. WOW! And that they are the only ones in the cat family to not stock their prey. They lie in wait in tall grass and use their keen hearing to listen to an animal to pass by then jump and pounce. It is awesome we are learning more and more with each visit!

These guys were our second stop. We went inside the cafeteria to get a closer look(one wall makes the side of this exhibit). We must have stayed there 30 minutes watching them. They were very entertaining they would chase the kids from window to window, jump, swing, and clean each other in odd positions. Joshua and Tayler got a kick out of the hiney in the air one. LOL Kids!

Close Up Shot

Taking a rest.

High Five Man

Pink Necked Fruit Dove(I love this one, they seem to be communicating)

We must have come on a good day we saw the Pandas(above),Grizzly Bears, Polar Bears, Monkeys, and many of the birds eating.

Hugging. I can't remember the name of these guys. But they obviously love each other.

We finally made it to the Sea Lion show and Joshua actually sat through it. Brenden has been wanting to see this for the last three visits and our timing never seemed to be right.

Of course we had to see the Giraffes Joshua's favorite! We came up on this one eating right near the fence. Tayler and Joshua jumped up on a bench they have for little one to have a better look. This guy sneezed all over both of them! It was so funny and they were so grossed out by the Giraffe boogers as Joshua called them.

More Chickens

Our Complete Flock

We had 2 chickens pass away. We planned to get Brenden a new chicken, and since I have a thing for pairs and even numbers we had to make it even. We have 2 ducks, 4 Bantams, 1 Black Sex Link, 1 Rhode Island Red, and 2 Buff Orpingtons. Poor Josh I really want to get another Rhode Island and Sex Links but am controlling my self! :) While going to the zoo today we were able to see the full grown Bantams, Bantam Silky, and Buff Orpington. It was so neat! Of course we still have the surprise of finding out whether we have hens or roosters though.

Full grown Rhode Island Red Hen

Our Rhode Island Red

Full grown black sex link hen.

Brendens' pick our Black Sex Link. This one is a female. We know this thanks to the internet which states that the black ones are hens. Woo Hoo Yeah for one hen!

Buff Orpington Rooster(taken at zoo)

One of our two.

Bantam Rooster (taken at zoo)

Our new Bantam, named Bumble Bee.

Silkie Rooster(taken at zoo)

This is our new Silkie. We now have two of these. My mom had these when I was growing up and they were always my favorite.

Our New Additions Chickens and Ducks

This was Joshs' favorite. The next four chickens are Bantams.

Brenden's Chicken Jackhammer. He passed away last night and the boys and I buried him after church. They were heart broken. We had many a talk and many a prayer and they are both doing better. We plan on going to get another chicken Monday.

Taylers' Chicken Black Night a.k.a. Blackie

See my feathered feet?

Top and bottom are Buff Orpingtons. This one is named Patty.

Nugget

Boys feeding our Buff Orpingtons.

Proud owner of ducks.

Pekin Ducks(full grown pic)
Joshua has yet to name these guys or yet he can't decide on names.

We finally talked Josh into letting us get some ducks and chickens. I have been wanting chickens for their eggs for some time. I thought it would be great for the kids and I to learn about them and raise them for a school project as well. Josh plans to build us a chicken coop very soon. I am not sure if we have males or females, my mom says maybe at about six months old we will be able to tell. Crossing my fingers for one rooster and the rest hens. It would really be nice to have a drake and a hen and have babies at the pond to!

Moth

The kids found this moth in the kitchen. It is rare for us to see one with these colors. Tayler took it to the porch and set it on my flowers. She and Joshua watched it the whole time I grilled sausage and pineapple. YUM!

First Swim in The Pond 2010

Bren was so excited! He has been asking to get in the pond since the beginning of March! We spent ALL day trimming, cleaning out brush, and hauling it to the burn pile. This was the reward.

Joshua says well he looks like he is having fun. Bren says it is cold but kinda warm and very slippery.

Bren is there to catch Joshua when he comes up. Joshua jumped in 2 times and he was done. He said he was ready to go to the beach or a swimming pool. His mommy feels the same way he does! I am not much for the pond. I love to look at it and fish but not get in.

Tayler Rayn says this is fun!

This girl can jump.

We even let the dogs get in, Brenden and Big had fun playing fetch!

A Great Day To Ride

Best brothers!

Brendens' first time making it up. He is hooked now he rode up that dirt pile forever! Until Tayler and Joshua made him share so they could dig.

Joshua says see my new shovel. I need to try it out. Josh bought each of them a shovel for the dirt pile of their own.

Brenden says he felt like he was training for Motor cross.

Up he goes.

Joshuas' first wheelie.

Tayler begged for a turn.

Tayler says totally awesome!

Joshua had to have a turn to of course.

Joshua grinned from ear to ear, I think daddy had as much fun as he did.

Brenden is the best big brother. He rode as slow as he could to ride with Joshua. They have done this two days in a row up and down our driveway.