Ducks and Chickens

Chickens and ducks!

I suspect that the dark grey Blue Langshan (center) is actually a rooster. From left to right: Delaware, Big Chicken, Freckles the Russian Orloff, both Blue Langshans, Partridge Red, other Delaware, and back there in the right corner, the Silver Leghorn. All are doing great.

Still no sign of any drakes in the duck pen, but they are growing up nicely!

Father's Day Carnival

On Sunday we went to the Lummi Stommish, the big canoe races they hold every year. We met up with GG and walked the beach from her house to the Stommish grounds. There they also had a carnival set up, so we bought some tickets and had a great time riding the rides.

First up was the Ferris Wheel.

This was the first time for Conan on the Ferris Wheel. He went to his very first carnival on Memorial day weekend, but wasn't yet ready for the Ferris Wheel at that time. This time though, he was all for it. We had a great time doing "no hands" as it came around over the top.

Just look at that grin.

Up next was the giant slide. This had been Conan's favorite at his first carnival. He's an expert at slides.

The roller coaster had an upper height limit so Conan had to ride it by himself. He chose the front car. He looked a bit worried and shaken by the time the ride ended, but he was really brave.

The final ride of the day was the helicopter, and it was judged to have been the best one of all. Conan turned the steering wheel vigorously throughout the ride, which must have worked because the 'copter did not go off course and landed safely when the ride was over.

After the carnival, we went back over to the main beach and shared a salmon dinner and watched the races for a little while before walking back down the beach to GG's house. It was a great way to spend Father's Day.

Newt!

We found this cool newt on our lawn after a rain. We see them occasionally, living next to a swamp. They're really neat creatures.

Highland Games & Friends

This weekend featured the Highland Games in Ferndale, and we were especially excited that both the Ericson and the Taylor families were able to come to the games with us. The kids has a ton of fun together over the weekend. At the games, they learned about armor, met a REAL Fairy who gave each of them their own fairy treasure, listened to bagpipes (LOUD), got their faces painted, and enjoyed watching some athletic events and Scottish dancing, as well as the traditional eating of the chocolate cookies and a slumber party to top it all off.