Our New Kitties

Atreyu and Cambria have been wanting to get some kitties of their own for a long time but we didn't want to get any during the winter. Now that it's warming up we decided to start looking for some. We found these two cuties from a lady in Montpelier yesterday and the kids are just loving them. I have to keep taking the kitties away so they can have a break. Atreyu named the white one Zuma Everest Kunz and Cambria like the name Bagheera for the black one.

A girl Jesse works with sent him some pictures of a few kittens that she has. We will probably get this one as well in a couple weeks. Jesse thought Sher-Khan was a good name for him.

I am surprised that I've been able to hold the kitties without my allergies going crazy. They're so sweet and fun to snuggle. Even so, they are definitely outdoor kitties.

Happy 31st Birthday Rachel!

I just turned 31! How crazy is that? Jesse had been working night shifts for a few days before my birthday so he was sleeping most of the day on my birthday. I really wasn't expecting any gifts but Jesse surprised me! He had to go to Logan the evening of my birthday and didn't get home until like 2:00 AM. I woke up that morning and found donuts,chocolate milk, earrings, lip gloss, a set of dice, and The Walking Dead Yahtzee game. He also brought home an absolutely delicious chocolate cake! It was such a surprise and it made me feel so special.

I  never would have expected this gift in a million years but I'm excited to play with Annie and Kim since they both love Yahtzee as well. You can play normal Yahtzee or a battle version. It should be fun.

We were going to go out and eat that night but it was rainy and dreary so we decided to stay home and Jesse cooked us some deer steaks. They were delicious and I enjoyed spending time with Jesse and the kids. I am so thankful for my family and all they do for me. Jesse, Atreyu, and Cambria all make me feel special and loved.

Spur of the Moment Trip

Last week Jesse had a few days off during the week so we randomly decided to visit the Browers and take Atreyu to see the new Avengers movie. He loved it! We spent a few days with the Browers and we were able to play some Dungeons and Dragons with them and Josh and Kim.

Jesse had to leave before us to get back to work but I decided to stay a couple days longer with the kids. Annie and I got some pizza for the kids one day and took them to the reservoir there in Blackfoot to eat lunch. When we left the house it was warm and beautiful but by the time we got there it was kind of cold and getting ready to rain. That didn't stop the kids from taking off their shoes (and pants) and playing in the cold water. They thought it was great but I was cold just walking along the beach.

 Atreyu was upset about something but I can't remember what.

That evening Cody said he would watch the kids, feed them dinner, and get them ready for bed if we were back to put them into bed. He's such a sweetheart! Annie and I went to Idaho Falls to the nerd store and picked out some figures to use in our D&D adventures. I know, we've become very nerdy and we love it! I also found one for Atreyu's character "Horns" which we let him paint. Annie painted mine since I am not so talented in that area.

I love that Atreyu is concentrating so much that he's sticking his tongue out.

I had such a fun time hanging out with Annie. I love her very much and I truly cherish our friendship. I know that Heavenly Father put us together as roommates almost 13 years ago and I am so glad that they are living so close right now and that our kids get to know each other.

Atreyu's Preschool Closing Social

Yesterday was Atreyu's last day of preschool. My little boy is going to kindergarten in the fall! Even though he's been going to preschool the last two years it still seems strange that he is going to be in "real" school. Last week they had a closing social and did a little program. They sang songs, did a dance, made some crafts, and got a certificate. It was really cute and Grandma and Grandpa were able to come with us. Jesse was busy that night.

I'm so proud of this little boy! He is growing up so quickly and he is so smart with a wonderful imagination. It's been great watching him learn and grow and to see how far he has come. Bring it on kindergarten!

Mother's Day Weekend

This past weekend was Mother's Day and the Browers came down for a visit. As we were getting the kids ready for bed one night Annie told them all a story. It got pretty intense at moments, as you can see.

On Saturday we sent the kids to a babysitter for a couple hours and we played some Dungeons and Dragons. When I first heard Jesse, Cody, and Josh playing this game years ago I thought they were so silly. They persuaded me to play and I love it. We just started a new campaign and I think we are all going to have so much fun! I know, I've become quite a nerd.

Atreyu was around when we were making our characters and he really wanted to have a character too. His character is a human war cleric named Horns. Atreyu said he has dragon skin armor and a dragon head for a helmet. Annie was the Dungeon Master for a little adventure that Atreyu and I played. There was a dragon (played by Gage) that attacked us. Atreyu had a lot of fun but he got upset anytime the dragon hurt him. Jesse and I want to keep playing with him.

We were supposed to have rain all weekend but we ended up getting like five inches of snow on Saturday which completely melted the next day. As we were playing Saturday afternoon the power went out and an hour later the babysitter said she couldn't really handle the kids anymore. We picked them up then decided to go to the bowling alley for pizza since the power was still out. We were afraid it wasn't going to come back on until late but we lucked out and it was on when we got home. We got the kids to bed and we were able to play some more. It was so fun!!

On Mother's Day morning Cody and his kids gave Annie her gift and Atreyu started freaking out that he didn't have a gift to give me. I told him to talk to Dad and Jesse reassured him that they had a gift. Apparently a few days before Atreyu had told Jesse that they needed to get me chocolate and flowers for Mother's Day. My sweet family gave me beautiful flowers, some chocolate, and a cute pink puppy that Cambria instantly took over. She told me the puppy's name was Spider Girl Puppy and she was too dangerous for me to hold. She does look like quite the beast.

After church Eddie and Bernie came over and had dinner with us. Bernie made a birthday cake for both me and Annie since our birthdays are this month. I am thankful I have such a wonderful mother-in-law who treats me just like her own daughter. She is a wonderful example of love and compassion to me. I appreciate all she does for me and my family.

I am also so thankful for my own mother. She is so strong and has endured many trials. I am so thankful for all the things she has taught and continues to teach me. I am thankful for her testimony of the gospel and that she instilled that same testimony in me. I am thankful for her example of love for her family and friends and I feel so blessed to be able to call her mother.

Picnic Time

I got the lawn mowed for the first time this season at the end of April. The kids were out playing while I mowed and kept begging to have a picnic for dinner. Once I finished we made some sandwiches and had our picnic. Jesse was gone so we had to let him know that he missed out on a fun picnic. The kids loved it but Atreyu made sure I left Diesel in the house so he couldn't eat our food.

Atreyu has also noticed that his cousin Alora likes to flash the peace sign in her pictures so he was wanting to do the same. What a silly kid!

The Way They Play

Atreyu and Cambria love to play and make believe. They both have wonderful imaginations and it's so fun when they imagine together. They like to play in forts and hide from bad guys, they love to play superheroes with Dad, they like to play house and pretend to be mommy and daddy and make food. I love to sit back and listen to them play together. They were dancing and playing the other day and Atreyu was wearing his Hulk hands and pretending to be some animal (I've forgotten what). He roared a lot, though.

Cambria was standing up on a table dancing and singing "Sugar Rush". At first she was being cranky and didn't want to smile so I was able to capture this gem.

She then decided that she wanted to be happy and I was able to get one of her smiling.

Later that day Atreyu was playing with his Star Wars toy and talking to himself. He is so funny to listen to.

Atreyu also thought it would be fun to make crepes like Daddy. Here he is mixing the batter and cooking his crepes.

I love that Atreyu always wants to be like Daddy. He may be a Mommy's boy but he sure does love his Daddy.