If you recall, a few months ago our cat, Zoe, disappeared. It has been really difficult explaining this to the kids. As much as it pains me to say it, it would probably have been easier if we had actually found her dead. At least we wouldn’t be left with this lingering hope that she might come back some day. The kids held out hope for several weeks! Emma still thinks she might come back. That hope has waned over the recent weeks, and while we still love and miss Zoe, we are excited to accept some new pet loves into our life! Who knows, Zoe might just show back up some day! In the mean time, I would like to introduce you to our new pets! I’m going to start with our pet turtle, Squirt. He was found on the drive way of my parents house by Emma. He is a baby slider, or pond turtle. Emma has loved and cared for this turtle for a couple months now. At first we were just keeping him on our screened in porch in a well kept box. After a couple months of Emma waking up every morning to go outside and feed and care for squirt (without me having to remind her), I decided it would break her heart to turn him loose this fall. So soft hearted me bought squirt an aquarium, and he now takes up permanent residence in our home.

Sorry, Squirts a little shy! 🙂

Our most recent addition is two adorable kittens! We named them Lucy and Ethel!:) However, after having them a couple days, we have decided that Lucy is actually a Fred!! HaHa 🙂

We LOVE them!!! Kittens are so darn cute!! Fred and Ethel are about seven to eight weeks old, but they are really small. They have their bed, food, and litter box in the laundry room. We put the baby gate up in front of the doorway, not to keep the kittens in, but to keep the kids out! 🙂 I’m very glad we did. The kids have been really good with them, but sometimes the kittens need a break! They run in the room to hide, or to take a nap without being disturbed by little hands.

David and Emma are old enough to know how to treat animals, but Samuel is still learning. I’ve had to discipline him a couple times about his behavior towards the kittens. This morning Samuel left his blankets on the floor and the kittens laid down to nap. He came in the kitchen and decided to “nap” with them. 🙂

Out of all of us, I’m pretty sure Andrew is the one who loves the kittens the most! Yes, Andrew! 🙂

In other news, it has been a fairly busy week!! We went to visit G-pa and Grand-mama for a day. We love getting away for the day, and just having a great time! It helps morale! 🙂

We then traveled to visit my sister and brother in law in Tennessee! It was a fun road trip, and we had a great visit with them! It was the first time the kids had been to Auntie Leah and Uncle B’s house in TN! They loved spending the night! I can’t take credit for these gorgeous photos! My sister took them and sent them to me. David was all about seeing Uncle B’s Pokemon collection and playing video games! We were blessed with beautiful weather, so we were able to enjoy being outside too.

Then my parents came for a visit! I don’t know if my parents can come for a visit without fixing, cleaning, or doing some project for us! I am by no means complaining about this, it’s just a fact. 🙂 Dad had a few things to repair on the kids playhouse, and he also put up a shelf for us in David’s room. My mom thinks she has to clean the entire house and do all our laundry while she is here. Our house is never as clean all at once as it is when my parents have just left. 🙂 They can come as often as they want! 🙂 We had a great visit, some delicious meals, and some fun times too!

Love,

PK