New Year Thoughts

Well, they say the best way to accomplish something is to begin. So...
Elise suggested the challenge of posting to our family blog each Sunday. I don't know how long the challenge is for, but thought I should start!

Thanks for the fun Christmas time, everyone! We had a blast with all of you here. Favorite memories include: playing Telestrations, snow for Christmas!, children singing and playing together, an hilarious Nativity rendition by Scott and the children with Eliza stealing baby Jesus, holding babies who smile at us, visiting and eating and playing together! It never seems long enough, but we will take what we can get. Thanks for making it so wonderful!

I'm sorry to report that all of the families in our family have had sickness since returning home. I really hope you didn't get sick because you came here! Please find something/someone else to blame for it! We have been trying to help Lauren and Thomas feel better this weekend. Hopefully they will be up and well before long.

Other events of this first week of the new year include two births of baby boys. That's eight baby boys in a row for me! Only boys at the births I attended in November and December! Dad took all of the photos for Allison Fife's wedding. He was stressed about it, but did a wonderful job. He's also been photographing wildlife in our backyard.Thomas went to St. George and Las Vegas with Victoria's family for a few days. Lauren played the piano at Bro. Jessop's house for the fine arts faculty. Emma went to some movies and ice skating, and gave Chester a bath! We took down our Christmas stuff and are trying to get back to a "normal" schedule.

I have waited a week to post this, but even with all the talk of photo taking, I couldn't find anyone to help me attach a photo to this post, so you'll just have to imagine the lovely photos Dad took! :) Maybe next time I can get someone to put a photo in for me...

Finally!

22 December 2014

Since a picture is worth 1,000 words....

We are now home owners!

 

 

Since some of you have asked for updated pictures, here they are. 

 

 

 

The master bath has a new vanity, including sink, and a new floor.

 

The master bedroom has a new paint job.

 

 

 

 

 

The converted garage.

 

As you can see, there is still a lot to be done but we'll get it done and send more pictures as we do!



Surgery

3 Dec 2014

Well the surgery went well.  It took about 90 minutes but Dr. Connelly said that things went smoothly. I was in the hospital less than 2 hours after surgery so I am home and recuperating fine.   I'm sore but Scott is taking really good care of me and I know that I'll be up and around soon (but not too soon, I promise.)
Just wanted to give everyone the update.  Love you all.  Thanks for your thoughts and prayers. I know that they worked, as did the blessing that Scott gave me last night.  Isn't it wonderful to have the priesthood in our lives?  Don't ever forget how great a blessing that truly is.

As promised

31 October 2014

 

 

 

 

 

After the Belliston Chicas

 

 

 

26 November 2014

Exhausted

24 November 2014 - Have you ever used a cement grinder?  I don't recommend it!  On Friday we used a rented cement grinder to level the cracks in the floor of the house.  It was a long, cold, brutal process.  The grinder is hooked to the garden hose so water sprays out to cool the grinding blade. Scott would grind for 10-15 seconds while I sucked up as much water as possible with the shop vac (Highly recommended product for any type of remodel!).  Then we would empty the shop vac and mop up the excess water with towels.  Then the whole process would be repeated...for 6 hours.  Like I said, brutal.  But we took it kind of easy the next day and the floor is nice and level now.   Pictures will be coming soon.

No cause for alarm

13 Nov 2014

House: The Belliston Chicas struck and the result was amazing.  The house was completely prepped for painting by the time they left.  All walls were wiped down (thanks to Mom for helping us get started on that).  The first coat of paint will be finished tonight (we are averaging one room per night which will keep us right on schedule).  The carpet guys came and measured so they should let us know in the next few days what the $$ damage will be.  Final decisions are being made on the master bathroom vanity.  I'll upload some pictures as soon as I remember to download them on to my computer!!!

Health: I visited the OB/GYN office on Monday and was able to talk with the gentleman that will be doing the surgery for me.  After coordinating schedules, Dec. 3rd was selected as the surgery date.  I feel very confident in the doctor and know that everything will be fine (thanks in large part to everyone attending the temple for me).  Scott will take some time off so he will be playing doctor and I have gotten permission to work from home for a week or so after the surgery.  It will be fun to spend time with him NOT working on the house!  We haven't had a lot of that in the past couple of months! 

Garden: The garden is officially done (except for onions and leeks - they are tough buggers!) We are hoping to get some things planted in the greenhouse in the next couple of weeks so we can have fresh produce all winter!  If anyone has requests, just let us know and we can bring little green plants to you at Christmas!

Love you all!!!

It has potential...

2 Nov 2014 - So, as most, if not all, of you know, we are in the process of purchasing an investment property.  It passed appraisal with a few conditions so we are working on trying to meet those conditions in the next month.  We have been scraping popcorn ceiling off (don't ever buy a house with popcorn ceiling!) and fixing plumbing issues.  I just keep telling myself that it has potential.