The somewhat awkward yet super hilarious stage!

Our chicks are now a little over 2 weeks old and every time I go in there to see them they crack me up! Their feathers are starting to grow and even though they're not as cute, they're seriously hilarious!

Dempsey's favorite is a Rhode Island Red we're calling ...drum roll please..."red" : ) He said it's his...so there you have it! Red is the feisty one and really the friendliest and the most protective...I'm actually thinking he may end up a "HE"... it's comb is a little more predominant then some of the others...I had picked another one up last night and again today.. as they were squawking in obvious fright...Red charged at me! hahaha too cute! BUT he also eats out of my hand ever so gently.... He's pretty funny!

This is a group photo and the one in the middle looking right at us is one I like to call Geezer...he just looks like a grumpy old man to me! hahaha!

These two are also quite awkward! The second one is the friendliest of the whole bunch. I'm calling her Jersey! (She's a Black Jersey Giant - original name no?!) She's super sweet. The other, her sister is the shyest and the one who's always hiding in the back!

 This is another of our favorites! Her name is Squirrel. She has a stripe down her back and a diamond on her head...and the cutest chubby looking cheeks! 

Dempsey REALLY wanted to catch one...but I asked him to only pet them gently because they were getting terrified! Poor girls! But it was worth it to see the smile on Dempsey's face! He loves these baby chicks!

For now, we have named them "Red" "Jersey" "Geezer" "Buttercup" "Sprinkles" "Squirrel" "Blue" and the unnamed are the shy Jersey Giant and the Partridge Rock.

Pool Time

Our kids do more than just swim in a pool when it's hot out! 

Pierce likes finding shiny trash! 

Dempsey picks flowers

Pierce puts anything and everything he can find into the pool. 

Then he spots Dempsey's underwares lying on the ground...he runs! HA I think this is the 1st of many battles of the boys! 

Dempsey's face.... priceless!

LOL...

More fun with my camera!

Yes, he's eating a rock.... not sure why!

And kissing our sweet Lily girl! She's such a great and tolerant dog!

He's pointing out an airplane! I LOVE this shot of him! Such wonder...

And finishing off the afternoon with a yummy treat!

Catch Light

I LOVE to learn new things! 

Most recently I learned about a little technique in photography called "Catch Light". It's like it sounds...catching the light or a reflection in the eye of your subject. It's AMAZING what a difference it can make in the vividness of a picture. I also strive to make sure the person's eyes are crisp and in focus. 

There's often something magical about the eyes...

This is a regular picture without catch light. 

This is a good example of capturing that reflection. Look how amazing the eyes become and how the color just pops! (Ignore the tongue! He IS his mother's son!) These pictures were all taken with the same camera, in the same spot at about the same time. I adjusted a few settings and moved myself out of the source of the light so it was able to reflect in my son's eyes. I'd always dreamt of being able to take pictures so beautiful!

And his sweet brother...kissing his little puppy dog! 

He looks concerned to me, but has gorgeous eyes! 

I LOVE these boys and am so happy to be capturing these special little moments!

Baby Chicks!

We went to the Grange today to pick up these cute little babies!

I purchased 8 and ended up with 9! Hubby's calling them our "Bakers Dozen" : )

• 2 Americauna
• 2 Jersey Black Giants
• 2 Silver Laced Wyandotte's
• 1 Rhode ISland Red
• 1 Partridge Rock
• 1 Buff Orphington
• And a partridge...no just kidding! hahaha

This is one of the 2 Jersey Black Giants. They are about 7 days older than the others and already quite a bit larger! 

The lighter one here is one of the Americauna's (Not sure on Spelling or exact variety, I'm not a pro...) They lay the bluish green eggs. We got two of these beauties! 

The other darker one is a Silver Laced Wyandotte. They are beautiful and not only good layers but good fryers and can handle the winters fairly well. 

 Isn't this face ADORABLE!

We're looking forward to the entertainment and the eggs these ladies will provide us... crossing my fingers we didn't end up with 9 roosters!
I'm hoping to complete their digs, and upload more pics soon. I'm still adding some finishing touches and need to do one more coat of paint. I figure we have a few weeks until they're ready to leave their little corner!
Enjoy!

Apple Blossoms!

The Apples are surely thriving! So beautiful! 

This last one is actually one of the Lilacs about to bloom but I thought the little spider in the middle was really neat!