Farms, Saws and a Police Ride

What a day! Can't you pretty much say that about most days when you sit down and reflect upon everything that you did or happened?

Ever since I saw/read my cousin Kim's post about the Petting Farm down at Thanksgiving Point I've wanted to go there with the girls and since we're leaving next Saturday I decided today was the day. Early this morning we loaded up the cars and headed down; Grandma & Grandpa, Gregg and his 2 girls and then we met Ashley & Jordon there. It was a real party and the place lived up to all expectations, we had a great time!

Ashley!

Ew, Stinky

More P-L-E-A-S-E

New Babysitter

I got a phone call around 5 pm from John, he didn't sound too happy and when I asked why, well I can't say that I was really prepared for him to answer, "I'm in the ER." With a project this big I wondered about an accident and whether it was an if or a when...Luckily before anyone reading this panics it's not too bad. Later that night after going through a series of phone calls with shotty service I found out the following:

John had been having a wonderful day, the weather was perfect, the BYU game was playing on the radio and they were doing really quite well, and John was outside putting up the trim on the kitchen windows and it was looking pretty good. Things were going really well until as he was making a lil cut with the saw and ignoring the lil voice in his head suggesting he use a guide (we all ignore it everytime and again) and Wham! it happened he cut his the tip of his thumb. The voice in his head at this time said, "yep you knew it would happen and now it has, you cut your thumb." So he ran inside and washed the wound, grabbed a towel and wrapped it and then ran to the neighbors. (good thing he's a runner, it really came in handy today.) Our good neighbor Roger dropped everything and they jumped in the car and headed to Good Samaritan. Unfortunately the Puyallup Fair is going on which is on the way and means heavy traffic. 3 blocks from the hospital as they were in traffic that was crawling Roger called out to a Policewoman and asked for help with the situation. Against regulations she put John in the back of the cruiser (which he says is not too comfortable) and took him straight to the hospital to do as you do in the ER, to wait. As he was standing in line he started to get a lil woozy he decided to sit on the floor which finally got the attention of a nurse who took him immediately back to a dr. After an X-ray and a chuckle from a Dr after he found out John was a Physical Therapist the outcome is that John has Fractured his thumb-on his left hand.

They wrapped up his thumb with some mesh and surgical tape, no stitches and told him to go see a hand specialist in a few days. Not ideal for getting work done, but we truly are thankful it wasn't worse, like a bigger cut, his whole hand or some ligaments.

Other than that I got away for a girls night out with my Sister Shelly this evening, as we went and saw "The Women". New Movie with Meg Ryan and a bunch of other big names, funny enough there isn't one male in the whole movie. Not even in the background. Interesting movie...

Trying to remember what I had planned for tonights posting. John said the Drywall is up. Gustavo and his crew worked until 2 am and it was done. Ceiling, walls, closets, it's all done! Crazy, who really works that late? Reasoning was it's the life of a Mud & Tape guy-you work when you have work cuz there isn't always work. John says that the place is coming to life and it looks fantastic. He promises pictures to come soon!

Today was busy, mostly a lot of walking which is good for the body. Most bodies anyway...unless your almost 8 months pregnant and haven't done any exercising in about 2 months and then your body just hates you. Anyway I walked McKenna to the park during Tyler's naptime and then when we got home we had plans of going to this new place in Layton with Shelly called, "My Gym" which is a gym for kids with lots of fun classes and stuff. Unfortunately my Mom accidentally took our carseats to Bukoo's with her and since we had plans to join friends later that afternoon I sent my sister and her family on without us. (BTW-this My Gym is having a grand opening right now and is a new place-so it's free for everyone to go try out. My sister said it was a lot of fun and the kids loved it!) After eating lunch and not sure what to do next I packed the kids in the double stroller and decided to walk to Bukoo's and to find my Mom. It's only like a mile or 2 away so not too far and the weather was perfect warm with a breeze. We did spend way too much time & $$ at Bukoo's, but good times. It's amazing the stuff you can get there at such the cheap prices-nothing like finding merchandise at 90% off the price.

Giggly Girls

Real quick-there is always something to write about bedtime when it comes to my kids. Tonight the girls started something new. They were both pretty wired when I put them down, giggling and rolling around, but they were definitely ready to go down, or so I thought since they didn't even put up a fight or cry out. 10 minutes after I'd left the room I heard McKenna calling Tyler's name over and over. Wondering what she was up to I meandered back and looked in. McKenna was sitting up and looked over at me and then hit the sheets, I then heard Tyler giggle. I shut the door and had to quickly walk away as a giggle was errupting from my throat. McKenna called out to Tyler another time or two but then all way quiet. It's the 1st time the girls have really acknowledged each other after we've left the room. Usually Tyler is playing with her toys, singing to herself and McKenna is just laying in her bed trying to go to sleep. Fun to see some sisterly love/interaction instead of the usual pushing. :0

Zoo Fun

Popular things to do with your cousins are to play Dr, to which the Tyler & Keira have gotten really good at laying still while their cousins listen to their heart and check their blood pressure.

Also Tea Parties with Grandma never get old regardless on the time of day.

Yesterday we headed down to Utah's Hogle Zoo to meet with some old roommates and good friends of mine, Tiffany and her kids Faith & Matthew and Brooke and her daughter Abby.

The animals were out and about...in their cages but very active.

The Park and Train were a big hit, although Tyler started to fuss as we boarded the train until she saw I was staying with her.

House update: We did pass the electrical inspection on Monday which was a big relief! John has been living in an "open" house-since Saturday the big bay window has been out and he do I dare say finally got the 3 windows that replaced it installed last night. (I only say "finally" because that's kind of a long time & big space to leave open). He did find that the kitchen is a little darker than he thought it was going to be so we'll be ordering and adding another window. Funny enough I think he might've cut the space open for the window and will pry only be ordering it today. I think he likes the fresh air. The dry-wall, mud, tape & texture guys are coming on Thursday so John will be getting the house ready for them over the next few days by putting in insulation & fixing vents and other odds and ends.

I'm not one who deals with death very well and usually don't even speak much about it when it happens, but I can't help but write about some very sad news I was told yesterday. Sister Leslie Wainhouse passed away yesterday morning in her sleep. She is one of the sweetest sisters I know, so kind and genuine in all she did and said. I was honored to be Leslie's visiting teacher for the last year and came to love her as I got to know her. She taught me more than I could ever teach her and it was her sweet spirit that always made me feel so welcome in her home. She was not very old and I don't know what the cause was, it seemed like her health was getting better over the last couple of months and so her death has caught everyone by surprise. For those of you who knew her and know her family and close friends, I hope that you will keep them in your prayers.

Weekend Events-Peach Days

Quick update on the house-John has reached a point where pictures aren't really too much fun. He's doing the electrical at the moment-although he did install a new carport door and has received the new kitchen windows and will install them tomorrow. The took out the current big Bay window a few days ago, so you could say the house is a little bit drafty. :)

The boys actually worked all day and even pulled an all nighter on Thursday hoping to get the electrical done for the inspection Friday morning. Alas the kitchen lights were a hinderance and so the inspector will be coming back for a visit on Monday morning. John's sweet Dad left on Saturday and it was reported he worked until an hour before they left for the airport-so that he could shower and get ready. Such a trooper! We are so thankful for him for coming out for a week and a half to work with John, who has repeatedly told me he could never have gotten so much done without him. He also said that he's never spent so much time with his Dad, when I asked him what they talked about, he said they didn't actually talk all that much. :) Such boys, so much alike the 2 of them.

John was actually "forced" to take a break on Saturday to go to the BYU vs Washington-Huskies Game with the Young Men. He's actually been looking forward to it since he heard about it-months before tickets were even on sale. It was a much deserved break and from John's description quite an exciting and good game, down to the buzzer.

The girls and I headed to Brigham City with the Stephany Klan Saturday afternoon for the Peach Days Celebration. It was a good time had by all which included walking through the car show, the famous "surf burger", kettle korn and rides on the Merry-Go-Round and a lil circus train. Last time McKenna rode the Merry-go-Round was a year or 2 ago and she was a little uncertain and scared by it. This year she couldn't get on it soon enough. As soon as she saw it she started asking for a ride and would only calm down after I promised her at least one ride. After waiting so patiently in line we finally jumped on and found a couple of empty horses and McKenna couldn't have been happier. Tyler stayed on the horse for a few minutes but was off before the ride actually began. She was a little nervous being her 1st time and clung to me for dear life. As the ride went round and round she would point and get excited every time we passed...the food vendors (That's my girl!) As the ride ended Tyler couldn't get off fast enough, but with McKenna the waterworks began as she realized she had to get off. She was even more upset when she realized that her cousins were just getting on and she didn't get to go with them. At the last minute she did get lucky when Keira decided she didn't want to ride the merry-go-round and so we did a quick kid swap and all was well.

We had just enough tickets for Maddie and McKenna to go on one more ride and so we opted to let them ride a lil circus train. The girls were very excited as Uncle Gregg took them in and got them buckled up. Tyler who was outside the fence with me had been eyeing the train with excitement and as Uncle Gregg was coming back he spotted her and helped her become a Stow-away. He sat her next to Maddie, which would've remained empty anyhow and a minute later the ride began. McKenna was having a ball! Maddie was a little uncertain and Tyler was...bawling. I wish I'd had my camera because I couldn't help but laugh as the train passed and there was Tyler with her tears coming from her big brown eyes with the saddest face I'd ever seen. Sadly enough the crying was catching and by the end of the ride she had Maddie in tears as well.

The day ended happily as we were walking back the kids caught sight of a great lil park, so we stopped all was well and happy.

Up not Down: Day 8

And so it begins, the wall are going up instead of coming down which is really exciting to see as things start to come together. Enjoy:

The kitchen & dining room-see the boarded up window & door

Wall of kitchen cabinets, sm bathroom behind

Just a different view of kitchen

Who said it was just for hauling kids around?

What the picture doesn't show you is the 4 doors and other lumbar that's stacked in the back.

The guy at Lowe's said it hauled more than his truck.

John Couldn't be more proud!

Princess Party

We had a belated Princess Birthday Party for McKenna. I had big plans for a big party, but I think the plans got bigger than me and I kind of let them go (Blaming the pregnancy and my lack of energy these days-lame I know). ...so Shelly saved the day when her and Maddie surprised McKenna with gifts for the makings of a fabulous party. McKenna was so excited-there were Princess party hats, cups & Plates, Princess wands, Princess ring suckers, pads of paper & cute lil rulers and of course cake. Not just any cake but Pumpkin Spice individual cakes with chocolate chips and Sprinkles, which were a big hit!


While the cakes were cooking and cooling the girls all went down and played on the trampoline and then raced around on the sport court on the bikes. I tell you what Keira may be small but holy cow she's quick and precise on the lil racer bikes. It was a good time had by all. Thanks Shelly and Grandma for throwing a party today, we all had a good time!

enjoying what was left of the shade

a hitch-hiker

Remodeling-Day 7

I talked with John last night and it was fun to hear the excitement in his voice about all the changes and progress that have been made. There have been a lot of good friends who have showed up to help him which has made it possible for things to be going so smoothly. They started framing the kitchen and the closets, removed windows and doors and cut and framed the new kitchen door in.

Scary wiring that was found...and will be replaced.

The sliding glass door and window to the left will be/have been removed.

place for a new kitchen door-burning the midnight oil

Where the old purple bathroom used to be-new kitchen wall

Pete riding his horse into the sunset

Labor Day

Hope everyone had a great Labor day! We had the Harris' Klan over for burgers and fun in the yard. We were a little nervous with the weather report that we'd be playing indoors but the sun came out right before the party began it was perfect! Had a great time, although didn't get to really chat with too many people, not nearly as many as I'd have liked but you know how it is with kids running around; feeding them, changing them and keeping an eye on them. It was good to see everyone's faces and their kids. Can't believe how much everyone changes and grows up so quickly.

I've mentioned a time or two the sleeping arrangements my girls go through with their beds. Well last night McKenna wanted to sleep in the crib and so I tried putting Tyler in the Toddler bed. It was a no-go with Tyler, she does really well at home and stays in bed but here...the only way to get McKenna out of the crib at that point was to allow her to fall asleep in my bed (we're all in the same room which has worked so far). Today at nap time Tyler asked to sleep on my bed and I let her lay on it for a few minutes but then put her in the crib and that was that. Tonight was a different story: Tyler wanted NOTHING to do with the crib. She cried and begged to sleep in my bed. I was so confused since she has NEVER slept with me, John or McKenna, always in a bed of her own. She tosses and turns all over the place and the the few times I have tried to get her to fall back to sleep with me she thinks it's a game and pokes at my eyes and giggles. Anyway this evening I've never seen her so adamant and mad. She's been getting a little more defiant and independent these days, but this was outrageous. She screamed, begged, pointed, cried trying to climb out of the crib, I couldn't believe she remembered McKenna slept there and what a fit she had. I did check in on her a few times and found she'd pooped. Twice in 10 minutes? Surprisingly McKenna was a champ and fell right asleep, sleeping through it all. She finally fell asleep after 30 minutes of all this...we'll have to see how things go tomorrow but I know I've learned a lesson through all this.

Here are a few fun pictures from the trip:

Peek-a-boo! The bride & the bridesmaid?

We Brought a lil Washington Weather with us!

Love the Rain & more so the puddles!

Progress

Power and order has been restored to the demolition sight so I got a fresh new batch of pictures tonight. For those who know what the house looked like before maybe these will blow your mind like it continues to do to mine.

The foreman

my pretty purple bathroom meets the kitchen

That's where the chimney used to be...that's what they found in it's place

Chimney patch job, not bad!

heard the house was a lil drafty, now I know why

I am happy to report that the boys did take the day off. It was a little torturous with all the things John wants to get done, instead he tended to the sick and afflicted...his poor Dad and his ailing back. The report being after John was done with him he was feeling 25 years old again.