Jake turns 9

June marked Jake's 9th birthday - hard to believe. I have photos around my desk of him at age 2 in a big cowboy hat, and dressed up like Batman for Halloween when he was 5. Looking at him in this photo with all of his friends it is amazing to think how fast time flies and how fast he is growing up. He had a fun birthday party - took his friends to the movies to see "Up!" in 3-D. The boys (and Ally) ate a ton of food, put on temporary tattoos (which they are showing off in this photo), and sat down with goofy 3-D glasses on for a really fun movie.
So, his ninth year will bring the 4th grade, bigger shoes, clothes and appetite, and probably a whole bunch of surprises that I can't anticipate now. While I look back at his baby photos and smile at so many great times, I can't help but anxiously look ahead to what Jake has in store for us this year. : )
Happy Birthday, Boo-Boo!

Indie and Jessie

Hi everyone. I want to introduce you to the newest memebers of our family. And, I want to point out that it was Tim who initiated this adoption. haha

Last week, we adopted these two adorable kittens from a friend's farm nearby. Jake and Ally had no idea what we were doing, even after we arrived at the house. There were two litters to choose from- about 6 kittens in all. The kids picked theirs out immediately. I don't know they chose, all the kittens were adorable, and there were some of every color.

Ally chose a little girl that looks more like a calico. She named her Jessie. Jake choose a wiry little boy who might have been the runt of the group. He has a big personality, and is very daring. Jake named him Indie (like Indiana Jones). : )

The kittens are adapting to our yard very well, and the kids play with them non-stop. The doggies still bark at them, but hopefully over time they will mellow out.

So much to catch up on

Wow- I can't believe it's been sooo long since I last posted a blog. I guess that goes to show how busy life has been. I have so much I should have been blogging about...I'll do my best to catch up slowly but surely. I am currently downloading all of our photos from our recent camping trip to Yellowstone. What a fun trip that was!
Tim has been home since June 6th, and leaves the day after tomorrow. : ( Time to wind up the fun and deal with the stress and sadness that comes each time he has to leave and go back to Iraq. This is our life though. We've had such a great time with Tim being home. All good things must come to an end.
Time to get dinner on the table and continue downloading Yellowstone photos so that I can share them will all of you.
Love to you all. I hope you are all happy and healthy tonight.