Family of Seven

We have now added our seventh family member. Mariah gave birth Wednesday night around 9 pm. Justin and I were pretty upset because we missed this birth by minutes. We were going to go to the store about ten minutes earlier but the brownies I was making for trek were not done. Ten minutes later Justin walked out to start the car and Mariah had just finished the process. We got out there in time to see him finish kicking out of the sack. Mariah gave birth to a black and white male paint. When he was born he was only 1-2 inches shorter than Koda who is now almost four weeks old. He is going to be a big boy. Even though paints tend to look a little like cows we still love him and couldn't wait for Trek to be over to come back and play with him. Here are just a few pics of him.

2nd Anniversary

I know that it doesn't seem like your 2nd anniversary should warrant a special trip, but as long as you don't have anything to stop you why not. Justin and I chose to go to Jackson Hole/Yellowstone for our little vacation. We left Sunday and managed to make it to Jackson after being pulled over in Montpelier, Idaho for speeding. Really we were going 40 in a 35 so not super fast. It turned out to be a good thing because we had missed the turn off to Jackson. The cop was kind enough to put us in the right direction. Once in Jackson we settled in to the Anvil Motel. Not a fancy place but right in the town square so everything was really close. Monday morning we went down the Snake River. I had worked myself into a tizzy thinking it was going to be super scary and I was for sure going to drown. Well needless to say we had a blast and it was not anything like I thought it was going to be. I didn't even get that wet. Monday night was spent around the Town Square watching the shootout, shopping and dinner. Justin and I went to a nice restaurant where we both decided we just like hometown cooking better. I know how very uncultured of us. Tuesday was spent in Yellowstone. It was really neat to see Old Faithful, a grizzly bear and her cub, lots of bison, elk and two moose. I really thought we would see more than we did but it was gorgeous up there so it made up for the lack of animals. Wednesday we checked out and went shopping for souvenirs. We saw a bear nativity that had them in sheep and camel costumes. It cracked Justin up all day so we just had to go back and get it. The drive home was uneventful but did include a stop for a Bear Lake Raspberry Shake. It was a short trip but nice to get away just the two of us.

Addition to the family

Justin and I decided that rather than have kids we would just keep our family growing by adding four legged animals to the bunch. Our latest addition is Oreo the bunny. Justin's brothers rabbit had bunnies and they were just to cute to pass up. She is pretty smart because she figured out how to jump out of a hutch that was pushed against the kitchen wall and the other side is at least two and half feet high. For just a little bunny she jumps high. Justin thinks she is using the mesh wiring as a springboard. I think she is an escape artist. Tomorrow we will have to finish the hutch and get the roof put on to avoid any further incidents.

Live Birth

I don't just mean that the foal came out alive, I mean I was there standing a few feet away from the whole processes. It was amazing to see how quickly it happened as well as how soon after the foal is born it tries to stand up and then succeeds. Justin and I have had little sleep as we first were in awe and then realized that mom was not letting baby feed and mom was not passing the placenta. The baby seemed really tired and hungry. He was a fighter and kept attempting to get to the milk. Even when a 900lb horse was kicking at it. Most of the morning we had to hold Jasmine and pinch the nerve in her nose so she would hold still and let him eat. Around the afternoon she finally passed the placenta and then was willing to let him eat without us holding her. Both Justin and I are exhausted and it is not even our baby. I guess that is what happens when you live on a "farm". The moms name is Jasmine. I was thinking of sticking with the Disney theme. If you have any name ideas feel free to share.
First minutes after birth
First Steps
Baby Boy

Tired Mama

Proud Papa

Vacation Ideas

Justin and I are going to go to Jackson Hole to celebrate our 2nd anniversary. Does anyone have any ideas or cool places we should visit while we are up there? So far we only have Yellowstone and river rafting scheduled we need a couple more little things to do during the evenings.

Forever Families

I am sorry for the extended absence I have taken from blogging. It has been a pretty emotional week. On May 10, 2008 My mom called to say that my Grandpa Peterson suddenly collapsed and died. He had been recovering from recent knee surgery and was outside using his walker to supervise the yard work that was being done by my mom, and my cousins family. He went into the garage to get something and that is where he collapsed. They were able to start CPR immediately but he never did come back to us. We are not sure exactly what caused it, we chose not to do an autopsy. Our family immediately rallied together at their house to comfort one another. The worst part is seeing your fiery and independent grandma as she weeps. The funeral was postponed until Monday the 19th. My uncle and aunt were vacationing in Jerusalem and we waited for them to complete some more of their trip before coming home. My grandpa would have wanted this, they saved for a long time to go. The week leading up to the funeral was hard but full of fond memories and lots of family time. I was able to remember the kind of man he was and the memories I had of living with them for two summers. I am grateful that I was given those experiences. The services were exceptional yesterday. The spirit was present and we all felt comforted. It was good for us to finally say goodbye. I am grateful to my grandpa for his example of patience, love, service, and families are forever. I hope to someday have the kind of marriage and family that my grandma and grandpa did.

Horse Gestation/Puppy Fever

Jasmine at 11 months pregnant
Mariah at 10 months pregnant

We have now entered the month of May and are on the home stretch for our first foal to be born. Jasmine (my horse) is due to foal by the end of the month. However, Mariah (Justin's horse) is much larger and seems to be showing more signs of pregnancy. This led Justin to recheck the dates we thought they got pregnant and to see if Mariah could go early. Our calculations are that she still will not come until the end of June. She could come two weeks early because of the warmer weather but it is still basically a big guessing game. For now we are anxiously awaiting the morning we wake up and find a new baby.
Brian and Becci also purchased a german shepard puppy and she has now become Justin's favoirte new "toy". He begs me daily for a new puppy of his own. Annie is cute and a lot of fun she has a little bark and loves to bite at your shoes and pant legs. She also likes to use the carpet and my doorstep as her bathroom. This I do not like so for now Justin will have to be content with Annie.