16 October 2010
28 August 2010
Bunches of Birds
Under normal circumstances I wouldn't use my blog to promote animals for sale but I am getting desperate to find homes for these birds. Here's a little background on how we got them: a really good family friend's mom has been having strokes. She is now at the point that she is unable to take care of herself, her foster kids or her birds. Well, the biggest burden at that time was the birds so we volunteered to take half of them (our friends have 5 more at their house) to help get them in a better home. That was 3 weeks ago. The birds have all been doing so much better. They are back on a normal diet (a generous caretaker was feeding them all the wrong things) and they are being handled daily. We have loved having them but feel the need to find them new homes asap. If anyone is interested please let me know and we can get things going. 
First off is Snowy. She is an Umbrella Cockatoo. She is 10 years old and very sweet and gentle. Her demeanor reminds me of that of a cat. She loves to rub her beak on you to encourage a good massage. She will let the kids hold her and pet her and even plays with the dogs. She isn't very talkative, although I have heard her speak from time to time. She loves to pretend to be a chicken and yes, she does make the noise too.
Next up is Scotty. He is an African Gray parrot. He is the talker of the bunch saying everything from the kids names to fun phrases like "whatch doing baby?". He also whistles and calls the dogs by name. Scotty is 25 years old and still in his prime. He is agressive with other animals so he would need to stay secluded from them. His feathers are coming in great (he was plucking due to stress) and he loves to be out and about.
This lovely lady is Starry. She is an African Gray parrot, also 25 years old. She was very stressed and neglected and pulled out almost every feather on her little body. Her feathers are coming in nicely and she has become quite the little love bird. She LOVES to be pet and even lets the kids around her. She will call out or speak on occasion but usually she is very quiet. She seems to do great with the other animals around her.
These other little guys are a Parakeet or Conure, not sure which (above) and a cockatiel (the one Adam is holding) both are sweet and shy. They are both relatively quiet and do good with other animals. I also have a perch that could go for any of the birds. If you are concerned with the potential mess of your home, the parrots and cockatoo are very clean. They eat pellots and fresh fruit so there isn't that irritating seed going everywhere. The two smaller birds are on seed and they can make a mess but I have found the kids make the bigger mess trying to feed them than the birds themselves. Again, if you know anyone who might be interested please let me know. All costs would cover the bird, its cage and toys. All money goes right back to the owner to help cover the cost of medical bills.
First off is Snowy. She is an Umbrella Cockatoo. She is 10 years old and very sweet and gentle. Her demeanor reminds me of that of a cat. She loves to rub her beak on you to encourage a good massage. She will let the kids hold her and pet her and even plays with the dogs. She isn't very talkative, although I have heard her speak from time to time. She loves to pretend to be a chicken and yes, she does make the noise too.
Next up is Scotty. He is an African Gray parrot. He is the talker of the bunch saying everything from the kids names to fun phrases like "whatch doing baby?". He also whistles and calls the dogs by name. Scotty is 25 years old and still in his prime. He is agressive with other animals so he would need to stay secluded from them. His feathers are coming in great (he was plucking due to stress) and he loves to be out and about.
This lovely lady is Starry. She is an African Gray parrot, also 25 years old. She was very stressed and neglected and pulled out almost every feather on her little body. Her feathers are coming in nicely and she has become quite the little love bird. She LOVES to be pet and even lets the kids around her. She will call out or speak on occasion but usually she is very quiet. She seems to do great with the other animals around her.
These other little guys are a Parakeet or Conure, not sure which (above) and a cockatiel (the one Adam is holding) both are sweet and shy. They are both relatively quiet and do good with other animals. I also have a perch that could go for any of the birds. If you are concerned with the potential mess of your home, the parrots and cockatoo are very clean. They eat pellots and fresh fruit so there isn't that irritating seed going everywhere. The two smaller birds are on seed and they can make a mess but I have found the kids make the bigger mess trying to feed them than the birds themselves. Again, if you know anyone who might be interested please let me know. All costs would cover the bird, its cage and toys. All money goes right back to the owner to help cover the cost of medical bills.
18 August 2010
Salt Lake part 1
Our trip up to Salt Lake was a fast but good one. We left Sunday and came back Wednesday. Although it was quick it was action packed. We started off our time wishing Greg's Oma aka Oma the Great a happy birthday. We had a wonderful dinner and enjoyed our time visiting her. 
Oma with some of her great grandbabes. L-R Bethany, Adam, Oma, Zach, Elayna, Sariah
Elayna and Oma (greg's mom)
Sariah
Greg with Zach and Adam
The main purpose of our time in Utah was to see Hyrum before he left on his mission. He is heading to Colorado. We were very excited to be able to attend the Salt Lake Temple with him before he had to report to the MTC.
Uncle Hyrum and Adam
Kevin and Kathy (greg's mom and dad)
Elayna and Sariah loved the swing on Great Grandma Moore's swing.
Greg with his Grandma
Grandpa Moore with Elayna
Sariah and Great Grandma Moore
Elayna and her great-aunt Terri
Grandma and Grandpa brought some fun gifts for the kids. This one was a squishy block of cheese that you stuffed mice in and out of. Its sounds strange but its actually really fun to play with. The kids had a great time with it and often fight over whose turn it is.
Greg and Zach with his new toy frog "grog"
Sariah, Uncle Hyrum and a really cool glow worm.
The kids loved wrestling with uncle Hyrum and Zach seemed to be the reigning champion of domination. He was quite happy perched on Hyrums shoulders and was reluctant to get down.
Sariah was discovering the cheese.
Sariah at the roadside lake.
Elayna checking out the action from above.
Greg and his catch of the day. He caught this roughly 6-8 lb. fish on his fly rod. He was quite excited. There is a guy that set up two little 'lakes' on the roadside of Hwy 89 just outside Zions area in Utah. He stocks these lakes with good fish and then charges you for time on catch and release or by pound of fish to keep. He will clean them and even cook them right there at his place. Its quite the nice setup. We have stopped there for the last couple of years and done a little fishing. The fish are quite tasty too!
Oma with some of her great grandbabes. L-R Bethany, Adam, Oma, Zach, Elayna, Sariah
Elayna and Oma (greg's mom)
Sariah
Greg with Zach and Adam
The main purpose of our time in Utah was to see Hyrum before he left on his mission. He is heading to Colorado. We were very excited to be able to attend the Salt Lake Temple with him before he had to report to the MTC.
Uncle Hyrum and Adam
Kevin and Kathy (greg's mom and dad)
Elayna and Sariah loved the swing on Great Grandma Moore's swing.
Greg with his Grandma
Grandpa Moore with Elayna
Sariah and Great Grandma Moore
Elayna and her great-aunt Terri
Grandma and Grandpa brought some fun gifts for the kids. This one was a squishy block of cheese that you stuffed mice in and out of. Its sounds strange but its actually really fun to play with. The kids had a great time with it and often fight over whose turn it is.
Greg and Zach with his new toy frog "grog"
Sariah, Uncle Hyrum and a really cool glow worm.
The kids loved wrestling with uncle Hyrum and Zach seemed to be the reigning champion of domination. He was quite happy perched on Hyrums shoulders and was reluctant to get down.
Sariah was discovering the cheese.
Sariah at the roadside lake.
Elayna checking out the action from above.
Greg and his catch of the day. He caught this roughly 6-8 lb. fish on his fly rod. He was quite excited. There is a guy that set up two little 'lakes' on the roadside of Hwy 89 just outside Zions area in Utah. He stocks these lakes with good fish and then charges you for time on catch and release or by pound of fish to keep. He will clean them and even cook them right there at his place. Its quite the nice setup. We have stopped there for the last couple of years and done a little fishing. The fish are quite tasty too!
04 August 2010
End of Summer Update
I have been terrible with our summer updates. We have been on several adventures and most of the time I forgot my camera. Our most recent was spending the day at Parker Canyon Lake. It was a ton of fun. Greg helped the kids with fishing, which by the way, all the kids caught 1-2 fish. Adam and Elayna are pros at baiting and were sadly dissapointed they couldn't pull the hooks out of the fish. Zach was the keeper of the worms, even though he refused to touch them. Sariah was the investigater of all things natural. While Greg was fishing with Adam and Elayna, Zach and I along with Sariah took a walk along a nearby trail. We could hear the excited cries of Adam and Elayna as they caught fish but we had an adventure all our own. Sariah would walk a few steps and pick up rocks or flowers, investigate them and walk a few more steps and pick up something new. She even tasted the difference between mud and sand and just in case you were wondering, neither is very good. Zach came across a giant butterfly and was so excited to see it until it tried to land on him. He was totally freaked out about it. He kept yelling shoo shoo!! That butterfly terrorized him for a good 30+ seconds before finally flying away. Zach yelled bye butterfly as it disappeared.
Sariah is 18 months and will be starting nursery. She is all kinds of curious and loves to be right in the middle of all the action. She loves to be outside and like everyone else in the family is obsessed with animals. She giggles uncontrollably when a dog or cricket passes her way and she gets to say hi. She is the comforter of the kids, anytime anyone gets hurt, is mad or crying in any way she is right there to check on them to see if they are ok. She rubs their arm softly and coos at them until they stop. Then she if off on a new mission.
Zach is 8 years old, almost 9. He is a computer fanatic and guru. He is talking even more and asking all kinds of questions, like "what stinks???" when he smells brownies cooking. (he really loves brownies and is still working on his words) He has become a water slide nut! At the beginning of the summer there was no way I could get him to go down. Once he realized he could touch the bottom where the slides dump you there was no keeping him off. He will refuse to go swimming but if you ask him to go slide he will be there non-stop.
Elayna turned 5 over the summer and is anxious to start school She has made some good friends and is into anything Adam is doing. Most of the time she is his partner in crime. She loves to help clean with the exception of her bedroom. She is very smart and also very blonde. She is the reminder of the family to do what is right.
Adam is my big kid, the alpha male-if you will. He is 6 just about to turn 7. He spent most of his summer playing with friends, riding bikes and scooters and walking his dog. He is one of the most trusting kids and friendliest. He has become quite independant, no longer needing mom to watch over him, at least not where any of his friends can see. He is a take charge, be the leader type of guy who loves to snuggle with his mom. He and Greg built several toys over the summer with his erector set and he was quite proud of his work.
And here we are, the last day of summer. The kids, except Zach, are all excited for school to start and have been counting down for 3 weeks. We look forward to our new adventures and the school year.
Sariah is 18 months and will be starting nursery. She is all kinds of curious and loves to be right in the middle of all the action. She loves to be outside and like everyone else in the family is obsessed with animals. She giggles uncontrollably when a dog or cricket passes her way and she gets to say hi. She is the comforter of the kids, anytime anyone gets hurt, is mad or crying in any way she is right there to check on them to see if they are ok. She rubs their arm softly and coos at them until they stop. Then she if off on a new mission.
Zach is 8 years old, almost 9. He is a computer fanatic and guru. He is talking even more and asking all kinds of questions, like "what stinks???" when he smells brownies cooking. (he really loves brownies and is still working on his words) He has become a water slide nut! At the beginning of the summer there was no way I could get him to go down. Once he realized he could touch the bottom where the slides dump you there was no keeping him off. He will refuse to go swimming but if you ask him to go slide he will be there non-stop.
Elayna turned 5 over the summer and is anxious to start school She has made some good friends and is into anything Adam is doing. Most of the time she is his partner in crime. She loves to help clean with the exception of her bedroom. She is very smart and also very blonde. She is the reminder of the family to do what is right. 
Adam is my big kid, the alpha male-if you will. He is 6 just about to turn 7. He spent most of his summer playing with friends, riding bikes and scooters and walking his dog. He is one of the most trusting kids and friendliest. He has become quite independant, no longer needing mom to watch over him, at least not where any of his friends can see. He is a take charge, be the leader type of guy who loves to snuggle with his mom. He and Greg built several toys over the summer with his erector set and he was quite proud of his work.
And here we are, the last day of summer. The kids, except Zach, are all excited for school to start and have been counting down for 3 weeks. We look forward to our new adventures and the school year. 04 April 2010
Romero Pools
We went with some friends out to hike to Romero Pools. They are pools that form from the mountain run off. The total hike is 5.5 miles. It took 2 1/2 hours to climb up and 1 1/2 to climb down. The climb is rated as moderate and it sure was. Most of the trail was steep and narrow. The kids had a lot of fun. Adam led the way most of the time with his friend Wyatt. I held up the rear :) 
Greg with Sariah. I did carry Sariah about a 1/3 of the way up before passing her off. The dead weight just got to be too much for me. She is a daddy's girl and didn't really mind.
Here are the kids up ahead. This was a very nice spot in the trail, a rarity at that.
Wierd rocks out in the middle of nothing.
Here is the trail. Can you see it?
A view of the climb we had already done
Daddy and Sariah investigating
the kids playing
Adam needed to cool off
Elayna
The first pool in the tier of pools
the only wildlife we saw
The big plant that looks like an octopus is called an Ocotillo. It was surround in wildflowers. It was neat to see everything in bloom!
Our Family at the pools.
Greg with Sariah. I did carry Sariah about a 1/3 of the way up before passing her off. The dead weight just got to be too much for me. She is a daddy's girl and didn't really mind.
Here are the kids up ahead. This was a very nice spot in the trail, a rarity at that. Wierd rocks out in the middle of nothing.
Here is the trail. Can you see it?
A view of the climb we had already done
Daddy and Sariah investigating
the kids playing
Adam needed to cool off
Elayna
The first pool in the tier of pools
the only wildlife we saw
The big plant that looks like an octopus is called an Ocotillo. It was surround in wildflowers. It was neat to see everything in bloom!
Our Family at the pools.17 March 2010
The Backyard
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We have been working on our backyard, trying to make it a fun family hangout. We started with the plain old dirt patch with a little slab for a patio. Here is where we are so far. 
The ties were delivered for our planter box. When I say delivered I mean Greg and his friend Jason got them from work, hauled them over, took off all tie plates and spikes, then moved them into place either by hand or pulling with a skid loader. It was lots of painful, endless work. 
We sectioned off the patio area, and sunk a few ties into the ground for the border. Greg was amazing with measuring for grade. The rest of the ties were used around the edge of the fence line to create a planter box for veggies and flowers. They staked the ties to keep them from moving. We are currently working on wrapping them in a protective cover and then we will stucco to finish off.
We got the flagstone for the patio. We had it spread over all the yard to hand pick each piece. We tried to do minimal cutting on them.
The backyard is now somewhat picked up, the unused flagstone will now go on top of the planter box. Before we do all that work Greg will be installing a sprinkler system into the planter and around the yard. Then we will put in the dirt and plant. We will be adding grass but haven't quite decided on sod or seed.
Here is the finished patio. We've had to make a few touch ups because it rained the night we put the grout in. Its fabulous and I am loving it!
We sectioned off the patio area, and sunk a few ties into the ground for the border. Greg was amazing with measuring for grade. The rest of the ties were used around the edge of the fence line to create a planter box for veggies and flowers. They staked the ties to keep them from moving. We are currently working on wrapping them in a protective cover and then we will stucco to finish off.
We got the flagstone for the patio. We had it spread over all the yard to hand pick each piece. We tried to do minimal cutting on them.
The backyard is now somewhat picked up, the unused flagstone will now go on top of the planter box. Before we do all that work Greg will be installing a sprinkler system into the planter and around the yard. Then we will put in the dirt and plant. We will be adding grass but haven't quite decided on sod or seed.
Here is the finished patio. We've had to make a few touch ups because it rained the night we put the grout in. Its fabulous and I am loving it!
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