Meet Jasper...

About a week and a half ago, we added a new member to our family. His name is Jasper. We just LOVE him. We drove down to Boise to pick him up. And then we headed on down to Elko, Nevada to spend some time with Dixie and Zach(I know I told some of you that i was going to get a picture of Dixie with her baby bump, but I didn't, I'm sorry). We had so much fun!! Here are some pictures of Jasper and the kids. Luke and Shelby are so happy to finally have a dog. Luke has been telling me over and over for the past 2 years that he NEEDS a dog. Both he and Shelby are very good with Jasper. And he is quite patient with them.

Tired pups
Dixie's Moose, Jasper, and his sister, Ella(we brought Ella to Elko. She was sold to a family there).

Jasper was taking a nap, and Luke thought he needed to be read a story. He chose to read "Lady and the Tramp". Quite appropriate.
They had so much fun together, it was so sad that we had to separate them.

I just love his cute little face!! And I am so happy to finally have a dog too!
*JASPER*

Daddy~Daughter~Dates

Yesterday evening, I was driving around Fred Meyer, looking for the redbox machine. There are always lots of shops connected to the outside of Fred Meyer. One of the shops was a baskin robins. I have never been to baskin robins, by the way. Weird huh? Anyway, as I was driving by very slowly, I saw a little girl(maybe 6 or 7), sitting at a table across from her Daddy. They were both having ice cream and the little girl was talking a lot, and the Dad was just smiling and listening to her. It made me tear up a little. That was just so sweet. It reminded me of a time when my family still lived in Denver. I don't remember how old was. Anyway, my Daddy took me to Estes Park for a Daddy~Daughter Date. Estes Park is one of the most beautiful places I've been to. That is of course, based off of my little girl memory. But I remember thinking it was the most beautiful place in the world. We walked around town, did some sight seeing. There was a Dairy Queen, and we went in and had ice cream together. I don't remember now what we had, or what we talked about. But I do remember being so completely happy. I love my Daddy so much. I'm so grateful that he took time to spend with me, and to make me feel special. I love seeing other Dad's doing that. I LOVE seeing the relationship that is forming between Kevin and Shelby. I look forward to them going on Daddy~Daughter~Dates in the years to come. I just love my Dad so much. And I love being a daughter, his daughter.

Sorry, that was a little random, and emotional, but those were all the thoughts and feelings that rushed through me as I watched those two strangers enjoying some Baskin Robins together. And I just had to write them down.

A rare thing...

Kevin is the type of person that does not smile all that often. Not that he is not a happy person. He is. But he very rarely shows a genuine smile. At least outside of our home anyway. The other night, Kevin and I were out on a date, and while we were driving along, I made him laugh and I got this picture. I have very few pictures of Kevin's genuine smile. And I LOVE his smile! Anyway, you may think this is corny or boring, but, I just had to document it. And it is only from the side, unfortunately, but I take what I can get. :)

Random pictures, mostly just having fun!

Not the best picture of myself, but considering this picture was taken by Luke, I think it turned out pretty good!

Bobble-head!
I have no idea what they were doing, but they were both very into it.
She was telling me she was cold!


Awww, feel the love.
I tried to get a picture of the three of us, and this is the best I got. I like it.
The boy likes to stick out his tongue I guess.

I love Washington in the spring!!

This flower goes on something that looks like a weed on the ground. They are very pretty though.

These little white bulb flowers are each about the size of my baby toe nail. Some of you know just how small that is... REALLY SMALL!
These purpley flowers grow on a tall bush just outside our front window. As do the tiny white ones. I just LOVE flowers!

Shelby had to try too...

Shelby was my helper this morning. I think she had fun. Her favorite part was helping me flip the pancakes. But I didn't get pictures of that, of course. And yes, I was very careful. She just held on to the end of the handle while I did the flipping. ;)

Story time with Luke...

Tonight's story went like this...

"Once upon a time, long ago... there was... A LUCAS BENJAMIN!!! He was a fighter, but he didn't have a sword. But he had big muscles to fight with(flexing his muscles at the time). He found a castle with a princess. Princess Mommy. He saved princess Mommy. Princess Mommy gave Lucas Benjamin a hug. Princess Mommy asked Lucas Benjamin to save her baby, Princess Shelby. A big mean man took her. He chased the mean man. They fighted! Princess Shelby was crying. Lucas Benjamin SAVED Princess Shelby. Princes Shelby said Awww, thank you Lucas Benjamin!"

I think Luke will either be a writer, or maybe the next Magnum P.I. I like it.

Momma's little helper

We have pancakes almost every morning. Luke has watched me make them many times and recently has wanted to help me make not only the pancakes, but everything. He has watched me make them so many times that he even mimic's how I pull the whisk up above the bowl and let the batter drip to check the consistency(as seen in the second picture). Oh and the apron is the one I made for Shelby for her Birthday last year, but she has shown absolutely no interest in it. And I was certain she would love it because she was always putting mine on. What do I know?? Oh well, at least it's not going to waste. Luke loves it!

Oh! I love this boy!!

Nothing but love.

The other day, Kevin came home from work at about Noon. He is working 11:00 pm to 11:00 am shifts currently. So, anyway, he got home and was Very tired. But Shelby asked him if she could read him a story. He, being very sweet went and knelt down on the floor and put his head on her lap so she could read to him and he could rest. I just had to get some pictures, and here they are. Shelby just loves her Daddy. :) He was out cold!

Giving Daddy a kiss on the head.