What's Been keeping us Busy...

We have been making progress, though I have failed to take many pictures. When we returned from Florida we had a new stair rail, which has been sealed, but awaits stain and it's final coat.

We have painted all the upstairs bedrooms, bathrooms, and hall, plus the family room, office, and kitchen on the main floor. Only the formal living room and old dining room remain of the main living area, plus the laundry room and bonus area, but we can live with the ugly brown there for a time.
The hardwood floors have been stripped, added to, and re stained a darker color. They wait for their last two layers to be completed. That project sure did make a world of difference!

We haven't had television for five months, but with General Conference being broadcast we needed it back. There are two weekends a year with the perk of going to church in your jammies, we had to do it!

After conference my good friend and talented designer, Sonja came for a visit. We planned out the new furniture arrangement for my front rooms. It looks like a furniture crime scene!

We are still working, nut we have almost completed phase 1.75!

Random fun times!

School started, the renovation continues, life goes on, what a blessing it is to through some good old fun in there too!

One of the first Mondays back to school we took advantage of our "early-out"days and went tubing and water skiing with friends. They were kind enough to invite our family out for some cold, wet, entertainment. The best part was the kids getting cold and wet for the parents entertainment!

A little Ward girls night out! We made these lovely hats, ate delicious food, and played silly games divulging the mysterious contents of our purses for prizes. Such a fun mom and daughter bonding experience!

Back to School

Okay, so school started in August and I'm blogging in October, but at least I took the pictures on the actual first days of school! I did say days because we had three official first days of school this year, starting with Mr. Junior High! He is the first off everyday with an 8:15am start time plus the lovely 15 minute carpool since we haven't moved yet. So far, so good! The the next two set off the next day to their new elementary. The girl child put up a real ruckus about leaving behind her friends but seems to be settling in well. It is a beautiful new school with enthusiastic teachers!

Finally, a week later, the last one was off! My baby off to kindergarten, wow! Her new school has a special entrance, bathroom and play yard just for the kindergartners. She loves it. The best part is Thursdays when their 3rd grade buddies come in for stories and activities, she is lucky enough to have her brother for a buddy! They both think that is pretty neat!

The results of her first day at school...she put herself to bed.

Two new school, three different schedules, but lots of fun and blessings!

New Family Members

We haven't even officially moved into our new home yet, but the family grows.
These two lovely ladies, Stella and Minet, are sisters and two years old. We"rescued" them from homelessness when there "moms" graduated from BYU and returned to their foreign homelands. The kids love them, Bailey (our dog)isn't quite sure yet!