Idaho on the way home

On the way home, we stopped in Idaho Falls.

Our hotel was pretty cool.

From the window, you could see the river. And you can also see our family eating dinner at the picnic in the bottom right corner.

We walked along the riverfront, in the wind, and looked at the temple.

From our hotel window

The next morning we had a campus tour at BYU-Idaho. It was so fun to be back on campus again, where Sterling and I were both students. There is a special spirit on that campus. It is unique.

We also handed out 150 Pieces of Candy!

Its harder than it sounds.

There were a surprising number of students who said "no" to our offer. But eventually, we overcame our shyness and handed out all 150 pieces. 

Out tour guide! from South Africa.

We were really excited to get home and see our baby bunnies who were much bigger after our week away.

New critters around here

The rabbits had bunnies. It is so exciting to see these new little babies from the very beginning!

I ordered butterfly larvae and that was fun to see them grow their way into cocoons and eventually butterflies.

I also got ladybug larvae. Our garden really needs them and they hatched at exactly the right time.

A very unexpected, uninvited guest, were two snakes!

April stuff

Sarah's sweet baby, Coleman, was blessed at their home on General Conference Sunday. It was a very nice day with family and boy oh boy, did we love on that sweet boy! Nicely done, Sar and Dallin. He's beautiful!

We've been enjoying time outside in the yard again, now that the weather is warming up! 

And Spring has Sprung. New baby bunnies and...

...and the bulbs are blooming.

I just love this picture someone took of HashBrown.

Pegasus - rip

We knew the day would come but we how can you prepare for death?
Sydney's rabbit, Pegasus died. Sydney went to check on her before breakfast, like she had for the last 3 years. This is the post when Syd got Pegasus. Every morning, Pegasus would meet her at the door, pawing at the latch, waiting for her morning hug and snuggle. The day Pegasus never woke up was a sad day for everyone.

Sydney spent most of the day preparing a beautiful funeral service. She placed a nice announcement on the fridge so we all knew when to gather.

At the appropriate time, we met up in the field behind our house where Sydney had prepared a place to sit and reflect.  She even had music playing in the background.

Sydney offered beautiful words in memorial. I wish I had recorded her voice reading her memories but even then, the emotion and spirit of the moment wouldn't be the same. Her notes are at the end of the post.

Afterwards, Sydney served light refreshments.

It was so beautiful to see Sydney take such care in putting together such a touching funeral service. She thought of everything and it was really nice. Pegasus was a good mommy rabbit and a constant and true friend to Sydney. We really will miss her.

Vacation: Coming home

Within a day of coming home from vacation, our kitchen looked like this. That's right no sink or counters. It wasn't long before that and I lost the stove and oven. I thought I was prepared with meals that only needed a microwave or a grill but I was way underprepared - emotionally. It was a lot harder than I anticipated. Each day that inched closer to 3 weeks was miserable.

 

On a happier note, we came home from vacation to 5 adorable, little bunnies!

Bunnies

Sydney's heart was stolen 2 years ago when she bought her bunny, Pegasus. Since then, Pegasus has become a mom, several times. We know it is time for new babies when the nest is filled with fur Pegasus pulls from her own fur coat, to make warm, soft bed for her babies. This year Sydney had hoped to time it just right to have babies on Easter, but alas, Sunday morning the nest was bare. But on Monday, the nest looked like this (see below). Happy April Fool's Day. Pegasus waited until the day after Easter, which happened to be April 1st, to have her babies.

 

Small little furless babies, one or two days old.

 

About a week old, this is what the bunnies looked like. Eyes still closed but enough fur to see what their coloring will be like.

At about 3 weeks old, Sydney felt comfortable enough to bring them out of the nest and let them play in the grass and with the kids. I loved to see them out in the yard, all huddled around the bunnies.

 

I'm pretty sure Rachel was saying, "It's soooo cuuuute."

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Welcome to the family, little bunnies.