My BFF here in Gillette took some family pictures for us the other day. They turned out so cute! The weather has been beautiful lately, so we went to the park. She got some really cute pics of the kids. When I get them, I will post them, but this is one that she took that I LOVE!
After some careful thought and great consideration, Dallin and I decided that in lieu of more kids, we would adopt 2 kittens! Actually, we've seen several mice in some of our window wells and I am not looking forward to the fact that they may get inside my house....again. We decided we wanted some Siamese cats, so I called our local animal shelter and asked if they had any kittens. They had 2 Siamese kittens that were 5 weeks old. Obviously, they are not full Siamese (that's okay). Asher (the boy) looks like a white tiger. He has beautiful stripes in his fur. Bella (the girl) has a light spot on her nose, toe, and the tip of her tail. Both have Siamese markings also.
Meet Asher....
and Bella....
We've had them for about a month and I haven't taken pictures of them before now because I couldn't decide if I wanted to keep them. Why? I know....they're really cute. But, since having them I've discovered that I am a control freak. I CANNOT control these kittens! And, if I don't watch them when I let them out of the bathroom (They stay in our basement bathroom which is large and not often used) they will sometimes PEE on my floor. Grrrr! But, over the past week, I have seen some great improvement from them and have had a change of heart. And really.....do I want to deal with cat pee and maybe have to clean my carpets every week or do I want the disgustingness (yes that's my word) of having a mouse in my house? I choose the cat pee. I have a shampooer. I can clean. I can't deal with mice! And, they better be good mousers too!
Bella and Asher have cute personalities too. Bella is really gun shy. Probably because Kam keeps picking her up and then he tosses her when we catch him holding her. Not so fun for her. Asher will get this look on his face (or in his eyes) and then he'll leap at you! If you're laying on the floor this is not a fun experience. Both scale my legs to sit on my shoulders. I think I'm their "person" and honestly.....I kind of like that! So, welcome to the family!
Kamron + a shoe box + stairs = nothing but bumps all the way down! Kam has been playing with a shoe box the past several days, scooting himself around the house saying, "Vroom!" It's been really cute and I've hesitated throwing away the box that gives him such joy. A few times, he's even positioned himself at the top of our stairs and we've quickly discouraged his attempts at going down. It's a shoe box! I doubt it will do much better than the lego tub that Gavin tried! That being said, I was making my bed the other morning when I heard shhhick, boom, boom (and on every boom a small yelp escaping). I quickly ran to the stairs, already knowing what must have happened. Sure enough, I discovered Kam and the shoe box at the bottom of the stairs. Kam was VERY upset (completely fine, but a little traumatized!). I think the tumble scared him! I guess I need to teach him about the pillow cases! Gavin was 4 before he tried something like that! Does this mean I am raising adrenaline junkie boys? (because Shelbi is SO not that daring)! Probably. They get it from their dad! Admittedly, I was laughing as I walked down the stairs to comfort Kam. Where has my baby gone?!
to a healthier me! I've been working hard since moving to Gillette and wanted to share my weight loss so far. Seriously, so proud of myself for keeping it up! So, since moving here, I have lost a total of 34 pounds (11 more to go to be at my pre-pregnancy weight with Kam) and 33 1/4 inches overall! My secret? Diet and exercise (eating things in moderation) and I'm sure that switching to diet soda has helped my cause! I still have a bit to lose, but I am determined. Also, I'm in a Biggest Loser contest with some of my girlfriends from Texas and that gives me extra motivation. Wish they could come to my house for a fitness/healthy snack hour (Erica, that was a HUGE hint to pass along)! I miss my girls!
I attended the funeral of my girlfriend's husband today. His baby girl just turned 2 months over the weekend (they have 4 girls in all....the oldest started kindergarten on Tuesday). It was a beautiful service, though hearts were heavy and sorrowful. He took his own life last Monday. He left no note. My friend's father (who is a bishop in Utah) spoke at the end of the funeral about those in this life who take their own. He spoke of the Lord being judge and we being judged for our good works while here on Earth. This husband....was a GOOD man. He was constantly in the service of others. I came to realize as I sat there during the service, just how grateful I am for the Savior and His atonement. Knowing that I will probably never understand the possibly frightening and deeply saddening things that may have gone through this man's mind, it is hugely comforting that Christ has experienced all of it and can offer the kind of peace to the family that no human can. I love the Lord Jesus Christ. How fortunate we are to know Him and know His peace. And how fortunate we are to know that because of the blessings of the temple, we will be with our families again.
We were invited to a family summer fun party by one of the doctors in Dallin's group. This event was held at the park and there were many doctors and nurses present. That being said, it shouldn't have surprised me to overhear a conversation between 3 girls (who were probably no more than 8 or 9). This is what I heard (beware....this might be a little to graphic for some!). "It was a decapitation. You know, the head was cut off and there was a significant loss of blood." Inside, I was laughing because it was almost like hearing my older two playing! Obviously, the one speaking must be a child of a medical person. It is nearly on a daily basis that my older two are whisking one of their stuffed animals off in an "ambulance" to the "er" to perform some medically necessary surgery! Sometimes they will come and tell me how they were able to "save" the animals life. I guess that's what comes from begging their dad to tell them about his work day (and working on the ambulance he had all sorts of sordid details to impart!). I love it (okay maybe not so much the blood, but it's pretty cute the way they play)!
This is going to be a marathon post, so grab a drink and some popcorn before you continue! At the end of June, the kids and I headed to Utah for a month. I know. A month is a REALLY long time, but my dad had been ill and I knew that he and my mom needed help with the yard. Besides, they live right next door to the park and what is not fun about that?! I met my best friend in Rock Springs and she drove to Salt Lake with me. The kids did amazingly well. We made it to my mom's on Saturday, early afternoon and Shelbi was spiking a fever again (she was 104 in Rock Springs). This time, she was 105.2 and I decided to take her into the ER (they don't have insta care facilities in this small town!). She had strep. Not only that, but I realized that she and Kam had shared a drink on our journey (before I knew that she was not well). The doctor was good enough to write a scrip for Kam (just in case) and called in one for Gav about 5 days later. Yes, they all had strep and that's how we spent the first week of our vacation. Sigh. After everyone was well, my sister and I took our kids out to Rock Corral to look for coral.
Shelbi loves collecting rocks, so this was especially fun for her! Gavin wanted some lava rock, which we found also.
After Rock Corral, we drove up to Adelaide Campground where the kids threw rocks in the water and attempted to climb trees. We spent 10 days in Kanosh, then headed to Enterprise to see more family. The first night we went to see Tarzan and the best part was Shelbi covering her eyes when the leopard appeared! Thursday and Friday were spent at the cabin and I have to admit that I am a big sissy when it comes to camping with a toddler! It just isn't as much fun!
The kids headed out with Grandpa to search for arrowheads. Each child found at least 2! Thanks Grandpa!
The babysitters. Malia and Eryka did a fantastic job with the babies! Thanks, girls!
While in Enterprise, we headed to St. George to visit friends and go to the splash park. I had to throw this picture in because, poor Kam, this is the story of his life! Always being packed around by his sister!
After returning to Kanosh from Enterprise, I had daily destruction to clean up, courtesy of Kamron. Any time my parents bedroom door was left open, this is what he would do and what I would find. Kam frequently yanked the kleenex out of the box and shredded at least 2-3 pieces each time. Cute, but frustrating! I cleaned up A LOT of kleenex! While in Kanosh, I took the kids down to Cove Fort.
Looks fun, right?
