A Birthday Visitor

I never did blog about my birthday (over 3 months ago), but that's because I wasn't really going to celebrate it until I went up to Utah to play with my sisters later that month... which I did blog about. I've been meaning to blog more but apparently its not high on my to-do list.  Its superseded with things like reading and sleeping.... and in the case of June, going through family reunion withdrawals.

Anyway, besides being invited over to Melissa's for a Saturday party (she invited me to celebrate Sunday with the whole Bunn family (which was really nice of them) but I knew I'd be busy talking to my whole family on Sunday), I had a visitor or two.

Can you see it?

There it is trying to get back behind the TV.

OK, so this little rat is one of two, came out of a cage, and does not live in my house.

A coworker was going on vacation and asked if I could watch them since the original rat sitter fell through.  They were still just babies cuz she had just gotten them for her kids for Easter (I know, what kind of present is that?).

There was a white one named Jellybean.

And a black one named... um, I can't remember.

I guess the coworker thought I would take good care of them since I told her I had a rat named Rosemary growing up.  I made her a wagon and harness out of plastic canvas that she wouldn't even try to pull around.  Just sat in her traces and started trying to chew her way out.

It felt a little strange taking rats in a big cage home from work and then bringing them back a couple of days later.

They were really cute and fun to have over the weekend but I was glad to take them back.

Although I did love my pet cockatiel (Spree) and was so sad to see him go, its hard work to have any type of pet.  I'm not able (or willing) to put in the time and effort (or cash :) to ensure a good home life. Until I have my own house and am more settled, I'll just have to continue to borrow others. 

So it was fun for a couple of days.  A good reminder of how fun, annoying, poopy, silly, loud, cute, smelly, and entertaining little rodents can be :)

2012 Family Reunion Part 3

(Yes, you missed Part 2, its below this one.  Nobody really saw it cuz I put it up on a Friday and didn't post on Facebook that I had... oh ya, and I didn't follow the normal procedure of texting my family telling them to comment :)

It appears when I do get out my camera, I take quite a few pictures... all of which I think are wonderful and I want to share.  They usually kinda tell a story.

My little nephew (I babysat that kid... he will always be little to me) is going to the Las Vegas Mission Spanish speaking (I know.. what are the odds? :) so we went with him to the Manti temple Thurs. afternoon. I had been to Mauvia's wedding there but had never done a session. It is a really neat temple.  The murals were beautiful and actually fairly distracting... that along with it being a live session... I don't think I got much out of it :).  I definitely need to go again.

I tried to get a picture of him coming out of the temple.. like a bride and groom but my finger got in the way.

Then we went around to the front to try and get some pictures. The grounds were all set up for the Manti pageant the next week so we just used some of their props.

It was a pretty steep hill.

I got a picture or two of them organizing before I went up.

So funny.

I love my silly family.

Ah cute.. the missionary and his parents.

I asked Dad go up there too... funny face and all.

Then we climbed some stairs to the back of the temple.

Jared and Jenny "helped" Dad.

Tom brought up the rear.

We stuck Dad in a corner.

Then took some couples pictures.

Hey now, watch your PDA.

My favorite.

Jared and Amy mugging for the camera.

No kissing!

Wait.. I want to slide down the railing.

Not in your good pants!

Fine.

Did Jenny and Tom go up there too?  And Mom and Dad?

I don't know.  I gave my camera to Jared and tried to convince Emily to be in a picture with me.

Um... not here, up at the temple.

Oh.. hi Alec.  I think he's hungry.

Up here Emily!

Like this.

Emily wanted like this.

No like this. (YouTube quote: watch my bum!) See how cool it looks?

Ok.. maybe its too far away.

Thanks Jared.

Come on.. give me my camera.

OK.. take one last one of the nice scenery.

Give me my camera! I mean it!

Thanks.. phew.

And to continue this picture post, I will put in a bunch of pictures of us in our family reunion shirts. (I'll spare you the many pictures of the families getting ready for their photo shoot... although it is pretty funny :)

Nathan and Family

 Bethanie and Family

 Jenny and family

 Emily

 Me

 Mom and Dad (Dad wouldn't smile)

 Aaron

 Angela

 Mm.. Apparently Jared and family didn't do one :(  I even looked to see if I could steal it from their blog but no dice.

The grandparents and grand kids.

We took some group ones with somebody's camera.  I expect whoever it was will share...

Anyway, great job Emily!  I'd say it was a rousing success... they just seem to get better every year.  Bethanie, no pressure.
PS.  Here is a shot of the skin comparison fest that went on that evening.

Dad's favorite comment was Bailey's... something along the lines of "There ARE others like me!"