Never Forget

Half-staff flags on the girls' playground.

Beautiful Morning

We've had some really beautiful mornings lately so I decided to take my camera along when I dropped the girls off at school. All of these flowers are blooming right now in the desert along the playground fence, so Austin and I hung around for a while after the bell rang so I could get some photographs. He loves exploring and digging in the sand, anyway! We have also been enjoying watching the progress on the construction site across the street from the school. We can't wait until there is a new Denny's restaurant on that corner! We'll be able to walk to breakfast! :)

Labor Day hike at Dripping Springs

Cindy

Caitlyn has been saving her money for quite a while now and really had her heart set on buying a guinea pig.  She researched how to care for them, and one recent afternoon I took her to the petstore to see if any were even available.  We both fell in LOVE with the little tan and white girl guinea pigs!  They were SO cute!  But, they cost $38.  The most basic cage we found for them was $45, and the combined expense of a water bottle, feeding dish, chew toy, food, hay, and bedding was an additional $50 (approximately).  She was pretty discouraged.  We decided to wait a while and think it over a little more.  

Fast forward about a week.  Darren is in line to buy cat food and dog food out at work, and strikes up a conversation with the lady behind him.  "Oh," she says, seeing the items he's about to purchase.  "You have pets?"   

"Yes," he answered.  "Two dogs, four cats, and now the kids want to buy a guinea pig!"

"Really?  A guinea pig?  I have one that needs a new home!"

What crazy perfect timing.  They arranged a time and place to meet, and Darren and Caitlyn brought "Cindy", along with her cage and all accessories, plus extra bedding and hay, home on Saturday morning.  Completely free.  The kids think she is just the cutest thing ever, and I have to say, I think  they might be right.  :)

Kristen's Sixth Birthday

I can't believe she's already SIX years old! I've been wanting to return to blogging, so instead of e-mailing these to my mom I'm posting them here instead. :) Maybe some day I'll actually get around to catching up on everything else that's been happening, including the birth of our sweet new baby girl! 

Little Dancer