House updates- So close!

Here are some of the latest updates: countertops done, backsplash almost done, shower and tub ALMOST tiled,stucco worked on, rock fireplace finished...Another week or two maybe...Hoping that Feb 1st is a magical date to move in! I won't be posting any more pictures until everything is shined up and beautiful- just before we move everything in and start scratching things up...whatever- we gotta live in the house- all 7 of us...it will have the lived-in look in no time, I'm sure. As for now, I'm enjoying the beauty of it all.

Sledding party and fun with Sean...

Our nephew Sean came for New Years and we had such fun with him! He recently returned from his mission to Denver and so the kids hadn't seen him for a couple of years. They climbed on him and wrestled with him and had such fun. He is such a neat guy and is always happy and the kids LOVE him!




We went to the Olsen's and had a sledding party with soups and buttermilk scones. YUM! It was SO cold- below zero degrees, but the kids had fun anyway. McKenzie had to do her science project then as well, so Mike and I stayed after in the FREEZING cold and worked on the project with her. We were hating it! Wishing she would have done an inside-type project. But it got done and we were glad that part was over!










All the cousins with Grandpa- except we are missing a couple(Erika's girls)...This is quite a crew when we all congregate in one house. It get loud!

Sunbeam party

Every time one of our kids enters Sunbeam class at church, we celebrate this "rite of passage" by having a Sunbeam cake and party for them. We can't believe Addy has already become a "Sunbeam", but here it is! She loved having a sunshine cake and we sang, "Jesus Wants me for a Sunbeam!"

Christmas 2011

It was so fun to have the same Christmas traditions every year! It was also nice to not have to drive across the pass this year!

Here are some highlights from Christmas Eve and Christmas morning...

Acting out the Nativity:




Bradley played Taps, since he didn't practice any Christmas numbers.




Beautiful Silent Night Trio:



Mckenzie playing piano for the talent show!





Nathan and his Christmas PJ's




Addy modeling her PJ's



Sydney got matching pj's with her American Girl doll, Felicity:




It was so fun to see the excitement on their faces- it makes Christmas morning fun- even at 7am!






The kids all lined up to head upstairs. Grandpa even did the traditional jump on the bed with all the kids in it. One of these years he may just break his back!





We had such a great Christmas - See what Mike bought me for our new house!!: (I got a different one from my brother's family that I love too, so I figured out where I could put them both!)

Bradley wondered why another camera- but then I had to tell him that his new camera got ruined in the move. This one has a front video monitor that he can video himself all day long. He loves to make crazy movies!

McKenzie got her I-touch- She was SO excited! She did have to pay half, though! I told her that was WAY too much to spend on something the size of a wallet! She is attached to it now 24/7!



Addy and her cousins with their Pillow pets:



The family(except Bradley- he thinks electronics will ruin the family) was so excited to get a Wii- Santa's choice- not ours! But we are excited to play with them. Nathan kicks our tails at bowling!




Nathan with his Hexbugs. They are fun!





Addy in her dress ups:


McKenzie made Addy a headband!



Sydney was thrilled to get American Girl Doll horse and outfits:

Christmas decorating

What some goofballs:

The kids had fun decorating Grandma's tree...Only a few things were broken. That's what you get when kids are doing it! Maybe we'll have plastic decorations at our new house!

Trip to Temple Square

I took the oldest to Temple Square. We were lucky enough to get tickets to David Archulletta/Mormon Tab concert, but despite rushing there, taking TRAX and skipping dinner, we missed it. We were there almost an hour early, but they let the standby line in and they filled up. If I would have known, I'd have gone earlier! We made the best of it and toured Temple Square and watched the concert on a monitor. Then went out to dinner. It was fun just to have the older 3, although they were pretty disappointed in not getting in the conference center! Oh well!

House updates

We have another few weeks on our home. We have been delayed by weather and a few things that take a while to order. But here's what's going on:

Mike tiled the bathrooms downstairs and the vanities were installed
Master bath travertine installed and vanities installed:
This was a while ago, but this is our front room ceiling. We love it! Our entry ceiling is the same.

Tile entryway is finished. Just needs cleaning and sealing:
Bookshelves and mantle finished, fireplace ready to rock!
Kitchen cabinets almost finished (except where the counter has to go on first before upper cabinets.)
Laundry room cabinets: (the holes are supposed to be there. It's a rustic knotty cherry- Sydney thought someone dinged up our cabinets)
Brick ALMOST done- maybe this week.
Can't wait. Right now it seems like it will still be a while, but we only have a little bit left! YAY!