What's a-going on, Kristi Jo?

Hey, all out there watching our blog with bated breath, waiting for the next posting! It's been about three weeks since our last post, but a lot has gone on during that time.

The last time we posted, Jen was about to start her weekend birthday, and it was great! She was spoiled rotten with a lot of gifts from her family and friends, and even a few surprises. On Saturday night (her actual birthday) we stopped at our house before hitting Barnes and Noble for more presents, and she happened to notice one of our chinchillas had a bit of a bald spot on his nose. Thinking nothing of it, we went shopping and had fun and, before bed, Jen decided to feed the chinchillas (they're nocturnal). As she was feeding Violet, our black chinchilla, she heard the familiar peep we heard from our babies... except the peep came from Violet's cage! It turns out, sometime during the day, Violet gave birth to a baby girl on Jen's birthday. We've named her Emerson, and she is the sweetest little baby. After being with Boo and Scout, Mr. and Miss Energy, Emerson is a completely different baby.

After Jen's birthday, Jeff started his new position officially at GAP. He is now the assistant manager at GAP Kids and Baby in Los Gatos. It's a bit of a commute, but it is more money and hours for Jeff. Plus, unlike the mall stores, this one closes at 8 on the latest days, so usually Jeff is home by 9 at the latest. He seems to like it, except for the commute, but in 90 days (early May we think) he will get the option to transfer to a store closer to home.

After being at the store for a week, Jeff opted to have his first vacation (plus, Jen had acquired extra hours and needed to take the time off!) so we decided to go to Squaw Valley in Lake Tahoe. We drove up Thursday and left Saturday, but enjoyed the time in the snow immensely. There was a good snow fall, plus another foot fell while we were there, so there was plenty of fresh powder to play in, which would have been great normally, but when you're taking the beginner classes in snowboarding, it's sometimes a little tricky! But we enjoyed the time in the suite, playing in the snow during the day, and relaxing in our room with the fireplace burning in the evening.

When we returned from our long weekend, we had to go through animal health day. That Monday was Chinchilla Health Day in Los Altos, put on by the chinchilla rescue that we adopted four of our boys and who helped us with getting aid for my roadside babies and the newborns. In addition, this is when we had Chris' comprehensive annual exam. The chinchillas came away fine, and aside from a small possible ear infection, Chris' visit went well also. Just a lot of fluffy happy fur-babies!

Unfortunately, we can't say our time recently has been full of happiness. Last weekend, Jen's grandmother passed away at the age of 91. She hadn't been doing well the past few years, and was recently in the hospital due to breathing complications, but she fortunately passed quietly early Friday the 13th. The services were held this past week, a viewing and prayer service on Wednesday, and the burial on Thursday. The family has been holding up well, and now are moving on from the sad day.

Hopefully, tomorrow for FHE we will be uploading all the photos we have of our babies, our vacation, and everything in between. Until next time!