I took this quiz on Chanc's blog and had to post it on mine because I love Jane Austen novels. I have never read Persuasion with Anne Elliot, I guess I'll have to, since I am most like her.Take the Quiz here!

Remodeling Almost Complete

New wood floors and carpet

The bathrooms tile is finally finished

Here are some pictures of some of the new floors we put in the condo. All I have left is to put up the baseboards, do some touch up paint, and get our cabinets restained a darker wood color.

My favorite thing about our new place is the sunsets! There is a lot of open space around us and we are surrounded by mountains. Every morining and every night the veiw is so beautiful.

4th of July

We finally put sand in our sand box (Maddie has been asking since the day we moved in). So the kids had fun playing in the sand all morning. I am surprised we have any sand left after Garen eating it and Maddie spilling it, but, hey they had fun.

Boyd and Amber watching fireworks and Jann with a sparkler

After Andy got home from work on the 4th, we had Andy's sister and brother-in-law come over; as well as Andy's parents. We had treats, played games, and lit of the remainder of our fireworks. Garen was to tired to stay up for the party this time, but Maddie sure had fun. I'm afraid she won't want to go to bed at 8:00 anymore now that she has seen what goes on later in the night. She kept saying "it is so dark out here and I am having so much fun, this is so cool." But I could tell she was tired because she slept till 10:00 a.m. this morning even though there were people here laying tile at 7:30 a.m. (and they weren't very quiet)

Oh, and since it's the 5th of July today---HAPPY BIRTHDAY SARA DAWN!!!

Fireworks

Sara's Family

Maddie and Abby

In Logan, they always have the fireworks on the 3rd instead of the 4th. So my sister, Sara and her family came for dinner and to see the fireworks. Maddie had more fun playing with Abby then watching the fireworks and Garen sat quietly staring and pointing at the sky. Sara and Ben came over after and we had ice cream and lit of some more of our own fireworks. We finally ended the fun about midnight-the kids were getting pretty tired

At the Pool

Andy finally got a day off of work, so we took the kids swimming for the day. We all had a blast! Maddie and I went down the water slide over and over, but Garen didn't care for it to much. Garen did love splashing and climbing in and out of the pool. Maddie can jump in the deeper end by herself and swim to me-she's gets to be a better swimmer every time we go!

We got home just in time for a plumber to come fix our downstairs toilet, before our tile guy took out our upstairs toilet. I was afraid we would be left with no working bathroom for awhile. But it all worked out. We should have both bathrooms up and running by Friday- I can't wait!

Family Home Evening at the Park

We found this great park close to our new home. It has little trails, 2 playground, tuns of shade, and a nice creek running through it. It's very beautiful and a lot of fun. The creek water was a little cold, but that didn't stop Garen. He loves the water, he loves to sit in it, he loves to put his face in it, he's a little fish. And while we were on the trails, Maddie took the role of leader very seriously. She loved guiding us and letting us know what was up ahead.

Also tonight we found a great deal on a family gym pass. There is a high school about a block from our house and we can get a famly pass to their rec center for $25 a month. That includes, three gyms, a cardio room, weight room, raquetball, two tracks, arobic classes. And there is also a pool there (it cost $2 more). So we were pretty excited about that, now I have no excuse for not running and lifting.

Our down stairs bathroom tile is finished, and they start the upstairs bathroom tomorrow, I'll post a picture of all the new upgrades in the house as soon as my house isn't so messy. :)

MADDIE'S FAVORITE PLACE TO SIT IN THE NEW HOUSE

GAREN LEARING TO FEED HIMSELF

We finally got our new computer in the mail yesterday! Here are some pictures from a couple of weeks ago of Maddie playing at Pony Express Days in Clarkston. They had a bunch of blow up slides and jump things and the kids got to run through the firetruck hose.
We are finally all moved in. I've gotten rid of almost all boxes and have started to hang pictures on the walls. Our bathroom tile will be done on Tuesday. I don't feel like we are in a normal routine yet, but we're getting there. I take a brake from the house a couple times a week and take the kids swimming at the Logan aqautic center. Garen loves the water and Maddie is getting really good at swimming. She's upset that she is just a couple inches to short to go down the waterslide by herself. Maybe she'll grow by the end of the Summer. I'll have to take pictures at the pool sometime.

June Birthdays

On Sunday we had a party with all of Andy's side of the family to celebrate both Maddie and Garen's birthdays. Garen had a dump truck cake and Maddie had a princess cake. They both got so many fun new toys and clothes. The party was a nice break from painting. It's so crazy that Garen is already one. This year has just zoomed on by. And Maddie is turning into a little adult.

My parents came to Logan(Smithfield now), to help us move and to celebrate Garen's birthday. It was nice to have them here for a short time.

Remodeling

So last week we closed on the Condo and we spent the entire weekend painting every wall in the whole house, and ripping out every inch of carpet. I had to drag the kids from one babysitter to the next. Luckily Andy's parents were around a lot during the weekend so the kids could stay there. I would paint from early in the morning till about 1 am. Andy helped every chance he got, but he had to work most days. Then on Monday we got new hard wood floors and on Tuesday we got our new carpet. And finally on Tuesday night we got to start moving our stuff in. We still will be putting tile in the bathrooms next week and refinishing the kitchen cabinets in a couple of weeks. I'm really happy with how the place is coming along. The kids have had it rough going from one place to the next and now living among boxes but we'll have it done soon.

Maddie on her 4th Birthday

All Grown Up

Madelyn and Cousin Abby

Great Grandma Dora reading to the girls

Me bouncing the girls

Miriam, Maddie, Abby on Maddie's 4th birthday

Garen and Cousin Colton

Fun Filled Weekend

Maddie and her cousins and me and my friends at Sarah's baby shower

Alisha, Me, Sarah at Roman's reception and Grandma Sue with Maddie

Swimming with cousins and Maddie's little Spanish doll from Grandma Sue


Two of my friends had receptions this weekend I got to go to, as well as Sarah's baby shower. It was so fun to see many of my friends there with their young children or pregnant bellies. Plus we celebrated Saturday (Maddie's birthday) with cake and ice cream, swimming and 8 of Maddie's cousins. It's been great to spent the last few days with my sister and my parents.
On Sunday I had the privilege of going Emily Ika Robins' baby blessing. Her mom Carrol is my best friend. I enjoyed Carrol's sweet testimony and the beautiful blessing Seth gave baby Emily!
Later on Sunday me and the kids got to visit my grandparents. They are always such a joy to talk to and learn from-they will be celebrating their 70th wedding anniversary this week!