...griff and graham: December 2012

We were spoiled again this year thanks to my brother-in-law's hookups and generosity. We went up to the cabin east of Zion NP with Brandon's entire family (rare accomplishment). Four days of mountain air, hot tub, 4-wheeling, playing with cousins, card games, Christmas movies, eating great food and lounging. We are so blessed, not just because we are spoiled, but because we have great family and friends that get us through the hard times and celebrate with us through the good times. We have our health, each other, and a growing little boy that has brought us more joy and love than I knew possible, and we get to live in a beautiful part of the country, especially this time of year. Happy Thanksgiving!

He really is a happy kid

Wanting to drive

When he'd get tired he'd hug the 4-wheeler and stay there

Driving the Rhino...finally getting his hands on the wheel. So excited he squealed

Dinner buffet

Two card games, one table

more cards

Sharing lunch. Spreading the love, and the flu bugs

I took the trash out to the dumpster and heard something moving around in the cardboard boxes next to it. I tried to peak around the trash bin but wasn't interested in getting any closer to the cardboard pile in case it was a rat. I forgot about it until two days later when a meow started coming from the dark night. Later we saw it run across the parking lot and it got chased by an Academy dog. Two days later it ventured out of the bin and meowed at our door. I couldn't help myself. I did what all people who don't want an animal should never do, I fed it. I put some tuna by the trash bin. B suggested I add a bowl of milk, which was strange coming from a man who has said "we will NEVER own a cat". This happened for 2 days until the kitty trusted us. He came out of the bin and started playing with Griff. Then he followed Griff into the house. And with that, we had ourselves a kitty. He didn't go out again. He was the sweetest cat. Super friendly, maybe too much so. He purred a lot and didn't mind when Griff couldn't figure out how to play gentle.

I grew up with cats. I like cats. Especially Siamese and this one appeared to have some Siamese or Rag Doll in him. He was beautiful. Griffin loved the cat. He even started meowing when it would meow. Brandon, not a cat liker, but he did think this cat was alright, and that's saying a lot. He even said we could keep it if we wanted to, but it's just not a good time for an animal of any kind so we posted it on KSL and asked everyone if they wanted a cat. Unfortunately we couldn't find it a home so after a week we took it to the shelter. I bawled when I left. Have you ever been in one of those? Not a good place and the smell would make any pregnant lady puke (no, I'm not pregnant, I'm just saying). But, at least it was out of the cold and I was hoping it would find a family that would love it as much as it gave love...seriously, the cat just gave and gave and gave love. I'd have to push it off me and I'd feel bad.

Fortunately, the next day, a family called me wanting the cat. I went back to the shelter, picked up the cat and made arrangements to get it to them. They live 3 hours away and couldn't meet up until the weekend so we had it another week. And the family....they were perfect! I met up with them in Beaver, a bit of a drive for me, but it was worth it. Three kids and a cowboy dad that still had a picture of their old cat on his flip phone that he had to show me. Our kitty looked similar and sounded to have a similar temperament. Kitty got a great home. After two weeks of kitty in our family and having seen the shelter, there was nothmini-van that looked like a Dolphin (1997 Previa in a two toned metallic blue. They called it a dolphin)

AND Griffin's first word was "Kihee Cad" (Kitty Cat), followed by his meow sound.