We are pleased to introduce......

Esther.

Sweet. Spunky. Submissive and fearless.

The lowdown: For the last month we have been actively looking for a kitten. We had checked out various pet stores and after being interrogated by the NAZI Kitten agency at Petco I was happy to leave them behind as I was SURE they would all go to PERRRRFECT homes. *ehem*. Subsequently, I started to check around for free kittens in the area and found an online ad for free kittens at a farm & feed off the feeder road headed toward Porter, a neighboring city. If you are not familiar, Porter is a much more....how should I say?....."Country" city. ;) Well, I don't have a farm so, I wasn't sure where that was but thought perhaps they were referring to the Tractor Supply Company, also off the feeder road.

When I walked in the store the cashier was with a customer and as they were finishing up I asked her if this was where they had free kittens. The cashier said, "We don't have any here." Then, both the cashier & the customer said simultaneously with eager eyes....."You want a kitten?" We all chuckled and started to chat. They both described their kittens, I exchanged phone numbers and called one of the girls.

Wed night I went to check "him" out. He sounded cute but I had really wanted a girl so I almost didn't go. When I got there, not only was he SUPER cute, "he" jumped up on my lap, cuddled up and started purring instantly. I decided to double check the sex and to my surprise "he" was actually a "she" and well...after that I just new it was meant to be. (Hey that rhymed!) So... I brought her home and so far she has been the BEST natured little girl. Really submissive but also quite spunky. She has NO FEAR. The night I picked her up she walked right under the belly of a 100 pound Rottweiler and stopped for a little rest, until he tried to EAT her! She hardly flinched! While I could see the owner loved her, I couldn't leave her there with that freak show dog, so I snatched her up and brought her home. So, that is how we got her....and I knew instantly what her name would be.....and it suites her quite perfectly I think. ;)

Warren was SOOOOOO surprised the next morning and has not let her alone for one minute.....except for a few mandatory "Kitty Quiet Times" enforced by mom. He just love love LOVES her and she is so content to let him cart her around, shove food & water, toys & stuffed animals in her face, comb her, kiss her, hug her, bath her (with her watering tank) and constantly put her in and out of her bed.
This morning he carted her upstairs and was educating her about his trains. It was SO funny, she just sat there and watched with the most curious & attentive face.

Warren & Esther. Best Friends Forever. ;) We sure do love her too. :)

Benjamin's 1st Birthday!

I can hardly believe it has been a year but last Saturday we celebrated Benjamin's 1st Birthday! Words cannot express how much joy this happy little boy brings into our lives. We love him so!

You must watch the birthday cake video below to get the full effect but this little guy gave this cake quite the run for its icing! He licked, then sucked, the picked the entire piece up and tried to swallow it entirely and then squished it and continued to scarf it and smash it all over his face. Afterwards, he exhibited signs of a serious chocolate buzz! It was hilarious!

Can you feel the buzz?

The kids waiting for the birthday cake to arrive and to serenade the birthday boy!

Simultaneously, we had a mini reunion with some of our favorite Michigan friends. The Anderson's, Fowles, Millwards & Us all met in Austin. The Fowles were so kind to host the party consisting of 8 adults and 17 kids! It was so wonderful to see everyone!

I just love these ladies! Andrea Fowles, moi, April Millward & Cheri Anderson.

Thanks for celebrating with us my friends and Happy Birthday Ben! :)

Duh.

Saturday night we were winding down for the evening. Weston had gone to the church for a priesthood meeting and I was getting ready to feed the boys and tidy up a bit before we sat down to eat. Earlier, Warren had loaded my desk chair with toys and pushed it into the kitchen.

E: Warren will you please put your toys away and push my chair back to my desk?

W: (whining)

E: We are just about ready to eat....come on....quick like a fox.

W: Oh mom. I can't carry all that stuff. There is too much.

E: Well, you seemed to be able to carry it just fine and put it all on the chair. Don't you think you can use the same two arms & legs to put it away?

W: I can't carry everything mom, I am NOT an octopus!

AMAZING.

Wed & Thursday was the finale of SYTYCD and the performaces were incredible! This season has had the best choreography to say the least! This piece by Jeanine & Kayla is Amazing! It was just for me.... all the way!! :) Loved it! Probably my favorite piece of all time on the show. I also loved how the skirts/"layers" were different colors. Perfect.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SjUnNzMlcdY

Also, Jeanine's solo was so dang awesome! I cannot believe the pirouettes she did! She is incredible! I am so glad she won!!! Her talent matches Brandon but she grew the most this season by far! I love to see that!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yQ3Pc8HtrIo

This ones for the boys! I LOVE when they guys dance together and it just so happens they did....to one of my old time favorite songs! Nast-ay! (this is for Jacob)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iYnAlT8DvAo&feature=related

This one was NOT on the finale but it is one of my favorites also. Definately #2 if not tied with my #1. If you have ever known cancer then you can appreciate it. The movement and story is SO perfect & beautiful. It also reminds me of my Heavenly Father & how he is always there for us and how you can always trust him. Get out your tissues!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oj7_syjbGDs

Enjoy! On to the first fall season! Woot!

Beach Boys

We had a fabulous day of sunshine, sandcastles, boogie boarding & collecting seashells on Saturday at the beach! We have been talking about going for a while and we finally organized ourselves and did it! It was Ben's first time and he LOVED every minute....along with Warren! (I love that his belly is sticking out here)

He loved sitting in the "waves".

He LOVED the sand. Sticking his fingers in was a very interesting and captured a good part of his attention. :)
Warren spent most of his time hunting for seashells and other treasures! Boogie boarding was his next fav. I think we will be going again soon for sure!

I can't get this video to post for the life of me but click on this link for a live show!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-yyfR1EPQ2s