Kittens

This morning my Dad found 3 kittens in their backyard, behind the pool. The mommy cat was in the backyard but she wasn't going near the kittens. My Mom thought that maybe she was trying to wean them. They eventually saw her nursing them later in the day. I brought the kids over this afternoon to see them & they are so cute!! The kids loved them & enjoyed holding them.

I think kittens are the cutest things.....but then they grow up!

I think they are headed to the SPCA.

InfantSEE

I took Kate to the eye doctor today to have an eye exam. I did the same with Carter & Claire prior to them turning one year old. There is a program called InfantSEE & they pay for the exam if you take your child in before they are one. Having an exam at six to twelve months of age can determine healthy development of vision. Early detection of eye conditions is the best way to ensure a baby has healthy vision for successful development-now and in the future.

Dr. Ching said that he has found glaucoma on some infants eyes that would not have been found if the parent didn't bring their child in for an eye exam. Kate did fine with the exam until they had to dilate her eyes. There were 3 different drops that had to go in, which was a little struggle, but we got them in. Then we had to wait for 30 minutes for her eyes to dilate. The hard part was letting the doctor look at her eyes after. She threw a fit, but luckily he was able to see what he needed & her eyes look great!

Claire's First Talk

Claire gave her first talk in Primary today & she did an awesome job. I stood next to her & whispered in her ear what she was to say & she repeated it loudly & clearly. We're so proud of her!

Sometimes on cold, dark winter nights I crawl beneath the sheet

And wish I had a cozy place to warm my chilly feet

But then I think of pioneers who camped outside all night

And only had a fire's glow to give them warmth & light

Sometimes when I have chores to do & I would rather play

I think of pioneers & know they worked most all the day

And so I guess I can't complain about things that I must do

For when I think of pioneers, I'm very blessed-aren't you?

10 Months Old

Kate is 10 months old today. Her newest trick is to wave hi & bye. We'll say

"Kate, say bye bye" and she will raise her hand & wave. It's so cute!

Kate loves to go swimming.

Kate takes 2 naps a day.

Kate still wakes up in the night.....we're working on that!

Kate loves to be outside.

Kate loves playing with Carter & Claire.

We love Kate to pieces!!

(Claire was sharing her applesauce with Kate last night. She made some funny faces but did enjoy it!)

Favorite Words

Three of my favorite words that Claire says right now are:

busketti (spaghetti)

buzania (lasagna)

smallow (swallow)

Kate's 9 Month Check-up

Kate had her 9 month check-up with Dr. Gould today (even though she will be 10 months in 2 days!)

Her stats: Length: 28" (70%)

Weight: 19lb. 6oz. (50%)

Head: 18"

No shots today!! Kate is doing great & growing at the right pace. I can't believe the next time I take her in she will be over 1 year old!!

Cameron Park Lake

After breakfast this morning we headed to Cameron Park Lake. This was Kate's first time playing in the sand & she loved it. She ate lots of sand & enjoyed chewing on sticks! The other kids swam in the lake & built sand castles & little swimming pools. It wasn't too hot out, so it was a perfect day to spend at the beach. Claire was so tired on the drive home that she fell asleep. We left her in the car when we got home (with the doors open!) and she slept for about 30 more minutes. When she finally woke up she was crying & screaming; I guess she didn't know where we all were! What a fun day we had!

Family Campout

When we were in Oregon it was so windy that we were not able to play at the beach. Someone suggested that we should go to the lake so that the kids could play in the water & sand. Jeff & Kristen invited the family to their house in Cameron Park for a campout & beach day. So last night our family, Lisa & girls, Julie's family, & Erin, Courtney & Tom went camping in Jeff's backyard. Cory pitched his tent on the top level of their backyard, Julie & Jeff were on the middle level & Erin & Courtney were on the bottom level. Most of the kids slept in their sleeping bags on the trampoline with Tom. Kate & I were warm & comfy in Haley's bedroom!

We started the evening off with delicious enchiladas & then the kids jumped on the trampoline & played for a while. When it started getting dark we made smores. It was cold & windy that night so those in the tents were awake for most of the night.

Where's Kate?

Peekaboo!!

Kate found a new hiding spot under the kitchen table!

Farm Fresh To You

Back in January I bought a groupon for Farm Fresh To You. They are an organic produce home delivery company. I put my order in on Monday & our delivery day is Thursday. This morning when I looked out the window at 8am our box was already sitting on the porch. I ordered an all fruit box & we received:

1 cantaloupe, 6 nectarines, 2 mangos, 6 plums, 6 peaches, 3 grapefruit & 6 oranges. Carter was in heaven!! I'm actually using a lot of it to make baby food for Kate. It was fun to have all of this fruit delivered to our door & not have to leave the house!!

Fairytale Town

We spent the morning at Fairytale Town with Kristen, Haley, Sydney & Drew. The kids had fun playing throughout the park together & we enjoyed a picnic lunch before heading home. Kate's favorite part was when I took her out of the stroller & let her play on the

"the cheese stands alone".

Let Me Out!!

Last night Kate wanted into the bathroom to find Carter & Claire; tonight she wants out to the backyard!! Poor girl, always trying to be with the big kids!

Let Me In......

After I gave Kate a bath tonight Carter & Claire hopped in the shower. Kate could hear them down the hallway so she crawled over to the bathroom door & started pounding on it. It was so funny to watch; she really wanted in there. After I opened the door she was so excited to see Carter & Claire. Carter asked what all that banging was, he thought it was a hammer!!

Jerry's Rogue River Jet Boat

On Thursday while in Gold Beach, we went on Jerry's Rogue River Jet Boat. I organized this adventure & we ended up having 27 members of our family on the boat. When I was a teenager I went to Gold Beach with my friend & her parents & we went on this jet boat tour, so I knew it would be fun! Cory, Carter, Kate & I went. Claire decided that she wanted to stay at the beach house with Grandma & Aunt Lisa.

We took up the first 3 rows of the boat & Cory, Kate & I sat in the last row so that it wouldn't be so bumpy & also drier for Kate. Kate LOVED the boat ride. She loved the wind blowing in her face & she really liked when we went fast. Cory made a fast friend with the boat drivers dog Spot. He sat right next to Cory for the first half of the ride.

We went on the 64 mile round trip boat ride down the Rogue River. We saw lots of wild life & beautiful scenery. We stopped after 32 miles in a town called Agness & had a buffet lunch at a lodge which was pretty tasty. On the way back down the river a bunch of the kids wanted to sit on the back row with us so that they could be with the dog. Kate took 2 naps on Cory's shoulder & woke up happy both times. Our favorite thing on the boat ride was when our pilot, Shawn, would speed up & then spin the boat a full 360 degrees. The water would spray up on us & everyone would cheer for more. It was such a fun day!!