Dreaded day!

I have been dreading the day that Braden would need to move from his crib to a big boy bed. He hasn't actually tried to climb out of his crib yet. But today when he wanted out he stuck his foot right on top of the crib rail! He's too tall...Although he didn't do anything after putting his foot on top of the rail I realized its probably time to completely baby proof his room and put him in a big boy bed...He's only 14months..............

New Family Member

Ever since we had to leave Sophie behind, we've been talking about getting another dog. However, Chris didn't want to get another dog until we were "settled" so we wouldnt end up in the same situation we were in when we moved last time. Chris wants a big dog, he's really hoping someday we can get a great dane....we'll see.
Then,... Chris got bit by a hobo spider....it was REALLY nasty. We've been having problems with spiders in the apartment (we're not sure if he got bite at home or not) Anyway, after dealing with the nasty necrosis of a spider bite I was  in an absolute state of panic slightly freaked out, so we looked up ways to get rid of hobos. Problem: you can't spray because it kills their pretators and usually they go unharmed. We didnt feel comfortable about getting spider traps because Braden is the kind of kid that sees sugar ants in the kitchen sits down right in the middle of them and tries to play....
As Chris was researching multiple sources say that cats help with spider problems. We started talking about getting a cat. (Chris is kind of allergic, but he loves them and can manage as long as they are not in his face and he doesnt touch his face)

Piper's first few minutes home, getting used to new noises

THEN! I remembered there was a cool little cat rescue about a block from our house, so we decided to visit. A local family found out the local animal shelter was euthanizing about 90% of the cats that came in because they didnt have enough room and decided to do something about it! Its a house that the cats roam free and all the workers are volunteers. They currently have 92 91 cats.

Coming out from under the crib to check things out, cautiously

Savannah and I fell in love with a beautiful calico (or as Savannah called her, "the polka dot one") cat. She's little, but almost adult size. They're not sure her exact age but know she's younger than a year. We visited the rescue a few days in a row to be sure Braden wasnt allergic. Then Chris and I decided we would wait til the next pay check because we didnt budget a cat into this pay check and it seemed like the more responsible thing to do. I decided to post some garage sale items (i had been meaning to post for months) and see if we could get her sooner and told Savannah if she wanted to sell some of her toys it would help us bring Piper home faster. She started bringing out every toy! "Oh mom, you can sell this stroller, I dont really like it! You can sell my rocking horse". Then she asked if we could go bring Piper home. I told her no not yet and explained that Piper might be adopted before we were ready to get a cat, but that that would be ok because there are LOTS of other cats to adopt. She FREAKED! "No! No one can take Piper home! I want to bring Piper home!" and ran to wake up Chris, "DAD! We have to go get Piper before someone else gets her!"
With how willing she was to give up all her toys and how attached she'd gotten to this one cat out of 92 other, beautiful, fun cats I figured I better make this happen.

Savannah trying to share her movie with Piper (the white paw on top of the black suit case)

Savannah and I got out the coin jar and started count. Savannah divided all the pennies, dimes and nickels into piles and we made $1 stacks...we had enough for the adoption fee!!! Chris took Savannah to the coin machine, they picked up kitty liter and food and then walked over to adopt Piper. (Braden was napping so I stayed home, and the rescue closed in 30min) Savannah was SO excited! Chris said she ran through the door at the rescue and proudly announced she was there to bring Piper home! He also said one of the workers looked like she was about to cry. Piper was one of the favorites there and for good reason! I was first drawn to Piper because of her coloring and then liked her temperament and really liked that every volunteer I asked had only good things to tell you about her (They were very, very honest).

And that's how Piper became the newest addition to our family.

Now the question is: are going to stick to just one cat? ....or get a buddy for Piper (there was another little kitten I fell in love with)

Gettin' Crafty

My Grandmother still had the rubber stamps we used to play with as kids. We pulled them out and Savannah and even little Braden went to town.

Girls Camp

I was recently asked to work with the young women in my church. It has been so much fun! Every year they go to girl's camp. It was my first time at Girl's camp since I went as a youth years ago. I was SO excited. Chris however was less enthused! This meant he had to take care of the kiddos by himself. This is what I found written on my bathroom mirror when I got home at 12:30am Wednesday night:

 6 Dirty diapers,

1 hour chasing kids at spray park

dishes

dirty floor swept

toys every where

I miss my wife

Savannah trying to explain why she should be able to go to girl's camp with me!

Riding the Carousel

 By the splash park is an old 1928 wooden carousel. The kids love it. We bought a punch card, and use it as a reward system for Savannah. You can read more about the carousel here if you would like.

Braden wouldnt hold still long enough for me to get his picture. So most of the pictures of him are blurry.

Both the kids enjoy sitting on the benches and watching the carousel go round and round. Braden likes to dance to the music.

A little boy in front of us was waving his hand in the air like he was a cowboy waving around his hat. Savannah thought she would join in

Everyone on the carousel

Rexburg Air Show

Every year Rexburg has an air show at the local flight museum. I had never been, so Savannah, Braden and I packed up and walked over to the show. Savannah loved it. Braden did too once he got used to the loud noise. We sat next to a REALLY nice couple that helped me with the kids a lot. Their grand kids are all in Maine so she was more than happy to play the grandmother role :) Unfortunately I only got this one picture of Savannah due to the fact that I was juggling both kiddos by myself. (Chris had to work).

 Savannah enjoying her snow cone. Braden and I shared one. We had to wait in line for what felt like an hour for our snow cones!


We were out there from about 10am to 12:30! Braden was SO good considering how hot it was and that it was right smack in the middle of his morning nap (Yes he still takes 2, 2hour naps a day...thank heavens!)

Ordinary Day

Everyday, ordinary things. 

Both kids like to help with dishes and sweeping. 

Which is both helpful and not helpful...

Braden's First Day at the splash Park

I took Savannah and Braden to the splash park for the first time this season. We took Savannah just about every day last summer. Braden was too little to participate. He sure loves it now. He would run up to the little fountains with his arms stretched out and just before he got to them he would turn and run away with his hands up in the air screaming. It was so cute.