February 2011

Our New Baby Chicks

Alan finally got up the courage to get some new baby chicks, months after our turkey chicks were brutally murdered in their own locked cage by a cat. Now we have a much larger, safer chicken coop in our backyard with 6 chickens and 6 turkeys. I was wondering why all of the sudden, Alan was showing up at home for lunch more, and came to the realization it was because he missed the chicks - not me :) He's so cute with his livestock. I really should have a picture of him holding these prized possessions. The girls are loving them too. They named each one. Grace even put a stool in the chicken coop so she could do her homework amongst her new friends. I'll have to get used to the chicken poop being tracked through the house, but I am excited for the eggs that will be coming soon!

Grace and Bekah

Gracie and Goldie Girl

Mae and 

Valentines Day

Gracie's 7th Birthday!


Gracie really wanted a sleepover for her party. We compromised and did a late night (8:30) pizza movie party. She invited so many girls. It was crazy fun! I can't believe my little girl is 7!!!

Photography Practice Tea Party

My friend, Julie and I went to a photography class put on by Marnee Marriott. We both got the same new camera and had no idea how to use them. We had to create an opportunity the next day to use our new knowledge. I still don't know what I'm doing, and would love to learn lots more, but it's a start. My camera is not on "auto" anymore. YEAH!!!

Mae's Scary Asthma Episode

To make a long story short, Mae had a rough night. She wasn't breathing well. I tried to give her several breathing treatments all night, sat with her in a steamy bathroom, did everything I knew how to do, and her breathing was only getting worse. I finally told Alan at 5:00 AM that we needed to take her in. He called our good friend and doctor, Jaren Fishcbeck and he met them at his office where he gave her another breathing treatment and a steroid shot. He said once the steroids started working, it should open her airways and that would prevent us from having to take her to the emergency room. After lunch, Alan came home to check on her and she was still doing terrible. We took her to urgent care (big mistake - don't go to urgent care) and they took one look at her and her oxygen levels and called an ambulance. Mae had to stay in the hospital for 3 days because she couldn't keep her oxygen levels up on her own. Alan stayed with her the whole time, and thanks to wonderful friends, neighbors, and family I was able to be down there with them a lot too. Mae was a champ. She's so tough. I hated seeing her like that. It made us so grateful for healthy children. She is now on a preventative medicine. She is happier than ever because she feels so much better now. We're so grateful for good doctors and modern medicine. We love our sweet Mae!

Random Pictures 

 Claire Bear

She's our bruiser. Can you tell?

 Our girls love Saturday chores. What's not to love about dressing up like Cinderella or Annie and singing disney working songs?

 Claire and Bitty baby

She calls her baby Yaya (interpretation...baby Lyla) which is Alexis's baby's name.

 Mae and baby Yaya. Mae is the best babysitter EVER! She LOVES babies!

 Crazy Claire. I have to push her high enough so she can see the neighbor's yard over the wall.