The Canoe's Maiden Voyage to Payson Lakes

We had a great day on the lake. 

 

Kyle was only dry for a few minutes.

 

Brian and Kyle with Brooklyn.

 

Kelsi and Brian

 Brooklyn loved the water.

 Had to prove himself. . and luckily he stayed dry!

 

Adam, Brooklyn and Rochelle

 Bryan and Rochelle

 

Grandpa and Grandma with Brooklyn.

Alleah didn't get to ride. . . maybe next time.

Alleah Comes to Vist Grandma

These pictures are a little blurry, but still cute.  

Daddy had to tickle Alleah to make her laugh.  

Megan Turns 21!

 It takes lots of air to blow out 21 candles.  

Adam made red velvet cupcakes for Megan's birthday.

I still can't believe my baby girls are both married.

It's always nice to have them come home to visit. . .

 and bring their husbands with them.

Empty Nest

I had seen the speckle chested babies standing on the edge of the nest for the last few days.  Yesterday, it looked like there were only 2 chicks left.  Today there were none.  I started back to the house to get the camera when I found one baby floating in the pond.  How sad.  I pulled it out with my pool net and tossed it over the fence.  Maybe I should have buried it.  I wonder how it died.  It didn't have any wounds that I could see.  Oh well, 3 out of 4 lived, I hope.

I can't tell what's in the bottom of the nest.  Maybe seeds?  Will she use the nest again?  I might take it down and save it.

Feeding Time

If we're careful we can sneak a peek at the babies.  They are sitting up now and usually have their beaks open.  All day we see Mama on the fence or coop roof waiting for us to leave.  We sat for 10 minutes thinking we could watch her feed them.  She kept getting closer and then moving away.  She knew we were there and even though we were quiet she wouldn't give the nest away.

See the worm in her mouth.  She goes back and forth all day trying to keep her growing babies fed.

The lilies are blooming on the pond and we didn't lose any fish over the winter.

Mama's Mad

These might be the last pictures I get of the baby birds.  The mama or maybe it was papa swooped at me when I got too close this morning.  They're looking good.  More like birds now.

Feathers!

I can't get over how fast they change!  It's been less than a week and they have feathers now.  You can count 4 little beaks, but the bodies all blend together.  Mama bird can't sit as low in the nest anymore. We see her on our fence with a worm in her mouth waiting for us to leave so she can feed her fast growing babies.