One of the things that Thea's birth mother first wanted to know about us was if we had any animals. At the time we had just the cat. So that was in our favor. She mentioned that she loved animals and wanted Thea to be in a family that liked them. She must have had some premonition about the little girl that was about to enter our lives. Since Thea was VERY little she has loved animals: ducks, rabbits, cats, dogs, horses, chickens. Those are just the pictures that I can think of that we have. Some day I will have to go through the 1000's of pictures we have and gather them - would be funny to see her with all those animals. Thea has expressed an interested in working at the animal groomers while she goes to school to be a veterinarian. Last week she asked if she could be a teacher and a vet. I said of course, she could work at a zoo and teach classes or Sea World and teach there too. Teach those going to school to be veterinarians.
Thea loves to be around animals and a big one is horses. Especially Grandpa Jerry's. Whenever we go to Utah that is what she wants to do above all other things. She likes to help feed them, groom, ride, not sure if she has had the joy of cleaning up after them, but someday!! Having said that, I came across a specials for four riding lessons at a local stable. Got her some REAL cowboys boots....real. Nicer than most of my shoes.
Thea was thrilled. Her one request was that she wanted a white horse. I told her she would most likely get brown, and she'd have to be happy with whatever she got. She got the white horse! His name was Tom. Thea brushed the horse down, cleaned his hooves, she learned to turn, what to do if they stop and try to eat the grass. How to lead the horse and get him to go over logs on the ground. For the most part she was in full control of the horse with just a girl assisting and watching over her. Must say I was pretty proud. Thea loved it and it was nice to see her comfortable and confidant.
Thea is surely an animal lover and I am so glad her birth mom clued us in as to her desires, because she certainly passed that love onto Thea!
Best fireworks I have seen in a long time. They were going off in the front of us in the side street, a street behind us, all over and they were all so close. We needed rotating seats. Did I mention that in Utah the legalized aerial fireworks. I cannot imagine the amount of money the dads spent this year...because it was for sure THEIR show!
Tatum wanted to be everywhere with all the big kids. Her legs looked like they were sandpaper from all the crawling on the concrete. Bu she was happier to be scraped up, than in someones arms. 
