Mother cat must have read my blog!

Oh, thank you, thank you for your advice and expertise!! Our issue with the cats resolved itself overnight. We went to look at them this morning and they were gone!!! Sure enough, that mother cat got all of those kittens out of that window well. Maybe they had been there for quite some time or maybe she realized that since humans knew where she was, that they may come for her babies.

So, it's off to Animal Control to return the trap! Thanks again everyone!

Mother Cat & Kitten questions - HELP!!

I need some help from my blogging audience! So, if you know anything about cats, please continue reading and leave me your advice/opinion.

So, first things first. Our 16 year old niece, Breanne, is living with us for a couple/few weeks. She has been so great and we sure love her!!! She uses our bathroom that is in the basement and this morning, while getting ready for school, she heard some noises in the window. This window is located under our backyard deck. Anyway, she looked in it to find a black mother cat and 4 little tiny kittens. Breanne told me about it and I've spent nearly the entire day wondering what to do.

The kittens are old enough to open their eyes and nurse from the mom and she has them all cleaned off. That mother cat hasn't moved at all. She is laying there with the kittens crawling all over her. So, we have no idea how long ago the kittens were born.

I first called our neighbors to find out if anyone was missing a black cat. Nope. Then, I called the Humane Society and they said to call the Animal Control. I did that. They asked me if it was a "feral" cat. Now, I have no cat experience and I didn't have a clue what that meant. My first thought was "A ferrell cat? Like Will Ferrell? A cat that looks like Will Ferrell?" She had to explain to me that it meant a stray cat.

I told her that it was nearly impossible to reach the mother & kittens unless you just opened the bathroom window. She said that Animal Control doesn't go into homes, nor would they be willing to crawl under a deck. My option was to come and get a cat trap (with a refundable $60 deposit), try to catch the mother, then get the kittens and bring mom and the kittens to the Center.

I came home and set up the trap. But, then I talked with my next door neighbor and he mentioned that he's seen that black cat around the neighborhood for years and he thinks that she helps keep mice away (our backyard backs up to a large empty field). And, my sister-in-law, wants one of the kittens. So, here are my questions:

1. Will this cat be able to get those kittens out of the window well on her own? (It's a pretty deep well). If we leave her alone, will she just teach them how to survive on their own as well?

2. If we take one of the kittens (while the mother is out looking for food), will she get angry and hurt the other kittens?

3. Is it wrong to keep letting this cat have more and more litters, just so she can catch mice?

4. If we catch her in the trap, take her to Animal Control and have her neutered (or spade - whatever it is for cats?), will she be so mad about it that if we still brought her back to this area, will she still stay and catch mice?

5. Don't you think a cat that looked like Will Ferrell would be funny?

Anyway, thank you all of my dear friends! I love you, I love you, I love you!!!

First Day of School

This summer has been the fastest summer ever!!! Emily and Lindsey officially started school today at Longview Elementary. They were both nervous this morning, but were so happy when I picked them up from school. In fact, we had to wait a few extra minutes, because Emily was doing Safety Patrol and was helping younger kids safely cross the street. They were happy about their teachers and the other kids in their class. Jack will start Kindergarten in a week, but he was able to meet his teacher today as well and she seems great. Here's to another school year already!

Worland, WY - aka Paradise

We had a secret vacation spot that we absolutely love...Worland, Wyoming! Yes, you heard me correctly, Worland!! My Aunt Claudia and Uncle Bruce live there and ever since I was a little baby, our family would travel to Worland every year - at least once (sometimes more, if we were lucky). Last weekend, the entire Sorenson clan (except for my brother Richard), descended upon Worland for a fun, relaxing, adventurous time. Bruce and Claudia go out of their way to make sure that there is delicious food and memorable activities and this year was awesome!!

Worland is the perfect balance of peaceful, relaxing down time and busy, fun activities!

Here's how we each spent our time relaxing:

Jeannette - sewing!!!! (my mom and I each brought our sewing machines, so along with my sister Becky, we sat for hours and hours working on sewing projects - ah, heaven!). Close behind sewing was drinking diet pop like it was the last of it on earth!

Jon - reading, catching up on sleep

Emily - jumping on the trampoline, playing games

Lindsey - jumping on the trampoline, watching Disney movies on a tv all by herself

Jack - jumping on the trampoline

Kate - playing with Cabbage Patch dolls, Strawberry Shortcake, Little People & Smurfs ALL DAY. I've never seen Kate play happily by herself for such a long stretch of time. She was in heaven!

Hannah - trying to get Aunt Claudia's most breakable objects, taking great naps

Steve (my dad) - taking two naps a day, reading, working on crossword puzzles

Corinne (my mom) - sewing

Peter (my brother) - taking naps

Mike (my brother) - working with Uncle Bruce in the garage to build a new bookcase

Candy (my sister-in-law) working in the garage on restoring a stool and old window frames

Becky (my sister) - sewingMike, Emily & Lindsey

Kate & Jack (proof that they actually get along at times)

Mike & Uncle Bruce in the garage

Candy - working hard in the garage

We found a few spare moments to torture Hannah by putting her in Cabbage Patch doll's clothes

We also did a ton of fun activities. Uncle Bruce had rigged up some of his equipment to blast 2-litter pop bottles in the air. He'd fill them with water, add air for pressure and then release them into the air. They were great! The kids took turns pulling the rope to release them and Becky would try to catch them in the net. The kids, Jon & Mike started to try to help catch the rockets and by the end of the evening, most of us where trying to catch them. At one point, Jon told me that if I caught it, he'd buy me a new camera. No luck for me that night - no camera! For one round, we chanted "We all go to Maverick on dad" (meaning that we'd go to the local gas station and dad would pay for it). For the very last round, we kiddingly said if both bottles were caught, we'd go to Hawaii on dad. That round, the bottles were both caught (thanks to Mike & Jon) and we jumped up and down with excitement. It was great!

Uncle Bruce loading the "rockets"

Becky & Peter getting ready to catch the falling rockets

The next night, Bruce and Claudia had rigged up an outdoor movie for us to watch. Using a white screen and an old projector, we all watched "Savannah Smiles" together. It was a nice cool night and we had a fun time watching it outside.

We also got to design, paint and race boats down the canal that runs behind the house. We each drew our design on a piece of wood and Uncle Bruce cut them out. They were painted and then raced. Some of the boats were: a carrot, Homer Simpson's head, a pirate ship, a bunny, and an Emperial Star Destroyer. The kids raced first and Uncle Bruce caught all those boats with his net. Then, the older kids (my generation) raced. Things were looking good until the net's pole snapped in half - sending several boats further down the canal. Jon and Uncle Bruce to the rescue! Several minutes, drenched from the waist down, the heroes returned with all but one of the boats! The last race was the grownups and then a race off between the winners! It was so much fun!

Most of the boat racers

The girls painting the boats with Aunt Claudia

The starting line

The finish line

The main reason for going to Worland when we did was to celebrate my dad's 60th birthday! He picked the perfect place to do it. We had a delicious dinner with yummy dessert and then my mom had put together a game of "What's My Line?" which meant dad, Aunt Claudia and Uncle Bruce were blindfolded and had to guess who each of us were. It was really fun!

Kate with a plate full of sprinkles (and a little bit of cake) to celebrate grandpa's birthday

Aunt Claudia, my dad and Kate enjoying a few last glorious moments on the trampoline.

What a great trip - thank you Claudia and Bruce (and all my family) for a wonderful weekend together and Happy 60th Birthday Dad!

Neighborhood Activity Day

We are slowly getting to know the families in our ward and neighborhood. One of the fun things they do during the summer is a weekly neighborhood activity. They meet on Monday's from 11-1 and the mom's take turns being in charge of the activity. Last Monday, we met at Wheeler Farm. The kids made sailor hats, painted boats to put in the little (itty bitty) creek and then made homemade icecream using ziploc bags. The kids had a really great time!

(You gotta love Kate's boots)

Jack and Lindsey helping to make icecream by throwing the bags (wrapped in newspaper) around.

Trip to Union to visit Grandma & Grandpa

Last weekend, we had the chance to drive to Union, OR to visit Jon's parents and be there for his family reunion. It had been 2 years since we were able to be there, so we were all excited to go. Kate was so excited, that she dressed in her Sunday clothes and then 5 minutes before we left, she put her Snow White gown over the top - as well as plastic princess shoes and a necklace. She wore them the whole 515 miles! In the picture below, she is talking with her best friend, Hailey.

The first day we were in Union, we went to the Union County Fair. We looked at booths and animals and rounded out the day with some yummy, greasy fair food!

The next day, we drove an hour and 45 minutes up to Wallowa Lake to spend the day. We had a great time. We started with a picnic lunch. We were almost done and noticed that 2 tame deer (which are very common at the lake), were coming. Pretty soon, they were eating out of our hands and one apparently liked "Cheddar Fetties" and rather than waiting for us to offer them, just helped himself.

Kyle and Beth offering the deer some Cheetos

After that, we rented a row boat and paddle boat and took turns going out on the lake. Jon rowed the boat and Emily Fairchild (Jon's niece) ended up paddling most everyone around the lake. It was a beautiful day and the lake was so much fun. Afterwards, the kids played in the water and we drove back to Union.

Jon rowing Lindsey, Jack & Emily


Heather, Anne & Emily Fairchild - three beauties!

Kate

Saturday morning started early. The annual Catherine Creek Classic is usually held on the Baxter/Bowen reunion weekend, so Jon ran the 1/2 marathon with his counsin Ryan. Emily, Lindsey & Jack ran the 1 mile race and did great. Beth & Kyle also did the 1 mile and it was fun to watch everyone come across the finish line. Jack finished 2nd in his age division and Lindsey finished 3rd in her age division.

Kyle didn't think racing was fun

Tyler Johnston - 2 months old

Jon and his Uncle Jerry

Ryan Baxter & Jon

Kate decided that she wanted to cross the finish line too, so she ran several feet to cross it.

That afternoon, we went to the State Park for lunch with all of Jon's aunts, uncles & cousins. It was a hot day, so after eating, the kids cooled off by wading in the river. They had a blast!

Jack & Lindsey

Kate with a rock on her head

Lindsey, Jon & Jack

Kate, Emily & Kyle

After the State Park, we went to Medical Springs to Uncle Jerry & Aunt Janice's pool. The kids had a blast swimming. I didn't get my camera out, which ended up being good, because I usually stick it in my pocket and I ran into the pool with my clothes on to get Kyle out. Thankfully, I dried pretty quickly!

We had a great time being with Jon's family - his parents, Anne and her girls Heather & Emily, Beth and her boys - Kyle & Tyler, Rebecca, Tom, Paul & Bill.

Hannah's 1st Birthday!

I can't believe that our baby is already a year old!!! On July 28th, she officially turned a year - and what a year it has been! This sweet little girl has been such a great part of our family and we love her dearly. She loves to be involved with what the rest of the kids are doing. She loves getting into everything, loves her binkie and blanket, loves to pick things off the floor and eat them and she loves to give juicy kisses. She is a super-fast crawler and has taken just a step or two. She still has no teeth and she loves to smile.

Hannah's Stats:

20 lbs. 10 oz. (45th percentile)

height: 55th percentile

92nd percentile head size

She eats everything that we eat (including steak) and somehow gums it all down. We love you Hannah!!!

For Hannah's birthday, we celebrated a few days early (because Jon was working on Hannah's actual birthday). We ordered pizza and had Grandma & Grandpa Sorenson, Uncle Mike & Aunt Candy, Meg & Jason, Riley Esco and Aunt Anne over. Hannah was so full from eating dinner that she wasn't super interested in mucking her cake, but she still managed to get some good frosting time!

On Hannah's actual birthday, Grandma Sorenson came over and we went to Red Robin for dinner.

I love these next two pictures of Hannah and my dad. This is from their visit to Ohio to help us move! Hannah was constantly picking at my dad - trying to dig her fingers in his mouth, taking off his hat (you'll notice that she's holding it in her hand) or glasses and pinching small pieces of skin on his arm. My dad would just laugh and I just love that he is so tender and loving with her.

Two little buddies!