House Update #4

Our house is just not getting done fast enough! We are so excited, and it's so hard to go over there and see that no one has been working there all day! Today was gorgeous, and nothing!! Now that I've gotten that out of my system, they have made some progress...

 

They finally got the rest of my windows in.

 

We were able to get in there the weekend before Thanksgiving to run some surround sound wire and put up some insulation for a sound barrier. Caleb pretty much froze to death, but he did enjoy watching the bobcat out the back window.

 

We recruited my dad and Jonny to help so we could get it done before the drywallers started on Monday (which they didn't). We put sound barrier in every wall in the entire upstairs. It was a lot of work...I hope it's worth it...

The sheetrock did arrive on Monday afternoon though.

And the sheetrock truck got stuck in the front yard, which I thought was pretty funny. I went over right before dark and they were still trying to get it out.

I'm not really sure how they got the sheetrock into the house because they had poured the concrete that morning and they had put concrete in front of every access to the house. I would've liked to have watched that. The truck on the left side of the picture is the sheetrock truck with the sheetrock still on it. And that cement still looks pretty wet.

 

We went over just this past Sunday and they had the entire thing fully sheetrocked. I was pretty impressed at how fast the drywall went up, I just wish they would've showed up today to tape and mud! And rock and stucco the outside! :) They did finish hauling the extra dirt away today though. No more mountains in the backyard!

It's coming along, and really starting to look like a house. I can't wait to move in!!

Oh Christmas Tree

As soon as Thanksgiving was over,we jumped right into Christmas. We did some shopping on Friday, which didn't last long because Brielle wasn't feeling very good. That night we watched Arthur Christmas, and Saturday we were back in Provo for more shopping, lunch, a visit to Santa, and a movie. We had seen Santa land in his helicopter at the mall on Friday so my kids were excited to go in and see him. Since we will be out of town for the Zions Bank party this year we didn't want to miss our chance to put our orders in. They wouldn't let us take pictures, and I'm not sure exactly what my kids asked for, but hey, they got a See's sucker so it was worth it!

 

We spent the afternoon watching "Wreck It Ralph", which we all loved.

 

When we got home it was time to decorate the tree. Grandpa and Suzanne got out all their kid ornaments this year, and my kids were loving it. It was really nice of them to let my kids have run of their tree, it's hard not having our own, and they totally made up for it. Candycanes and all.

I love my dad's face in this picture, just looking at the Christmas tree.

We are all so excited for the Christmas season.

Thanksgiving 2012

We went to Annabella for Thanksgiving this year, and the whole Balch family was able to make it. It was so fun to be together with all of them. My kids absolutely love playing with their cousins.

 

Jacob made an awesome turkey hat for the occasion.

 

For some reason Chuck thought he should put little Taylor in a giant pillow pet. She did look pretty cuddly.

 

 

Brielle loved her Taylor time almost as much as I did.

 

The boys played a little Thanksgiving football.

And Jacob spent all of his time with Sampson...

We has such a great time. The food was all fantastic, and the pies...oh man, Jordi's pies...I'm going to make her make me a chocolate cream pie for my birthday. Or maybe for Christmas because my birthday is way too far away. They were amazing. It pays to have a chef in the family. I can't wait until she opens her own bakery. :) Thanks Balch's for a great Thanksgiving! 

Caleb crashed on the way home.

We are so thankful for all of the blessings we have in our lives. I love the holiday season, when we stop to think about everything we are thankful for. It just always goes by way to quickly!

The Birthday Boy

My Jacob turned 6!! My kids are getting so old! After a morning of packing and cleaning, we picked up dad at work and went to lunch at Arby's. Jacob had a free kid's meal coupon for there that he was dying to use. Then we were on our way to Grandma's house for a birthday celebration and Thanksgiving. Once everyone arrived we let Jacob open his presents. I don't know if he was overwhelmed by all the attention, or what, but he sure wasn't acting all that excited, or appreciative. The first gift he opened was from Caleb, and he quickly made us aware that it wasn't what he had asked for. Grr. It was actually a box of accessories for the present he really wanted, which came later.

 

 

 

There's the one he wanted, the Jake and the Neverland Pirates ship.

He got an awesome Hulk from Aunt Sarah and her family.

And some superheroes from Grandma.

He also got some Disney Dollars from Aunt Jordi and Uncle Joe. It's safe to say, that once again, that kid was spoiled.

Happy Birthday my Jakey!! We love you so much and are so glad you are a part of our family.

The Rendezvous

Last Tuesday was the annual 4th grade rendezvous. I got to go with Brielle to help out, and I have to say, I had a great time. We quickly made this "no sew" Indian dress the night before because I was feeling guilty about her not having an adequate costume. It didn't turn out great, it's too big, I should have measured better, but overall I think she looked great! And she loved it, so that's all that matters.

 

Our first activity was to make medicine pouches. The kids had already made possibles bags to put all their treasures in. Next stop, leather stamped bracelets. Brielle stamped her name into hers.

After an archery contest, where they earned some extra Beaver Bucks, they played some old Indian games.

They had a break for recess, then it was on to learn about the Mountain Men with the "Spirit Woman." I'll tell you what, I would not make a good spirit woman. Nope. No animal hair toothbrush for me.

They had scones...

And drew Indian symbols...

And then it was time to set up the trading post. They had tin foil dinners for lunch before the bartering began. Brielle's favorite part was buying/selling stuff and she came home with a shoebox full of new...and old...treasures.

What a fun way to kick of the long Thanksgiving weekend.



Photo Bomb, Sunset, and Sunbeams

I found this awesome picture that I photobombed on Chuck's phone. Awesome, right?! I love him in that bear vest...

 

 

Check out that sunset over Timpanogos

A typical Sunday in Sunbeam class...the girls coloring their little hearts out and the boys playing with Chuck. We sure love our little Sunbeams and are going to miss them so much when the "graduate" in January.

A day out with the boys

Charles had Monday off for Veteran's Day. I love that he gets all those little Monday holidays off. We got the girls off to school, and then it was party time. We headed to Salt Lake to pick out our granite, and then we went to check out the new Scheel's. I must say, it's a pretty cool store.

 

The boys checking out the fist tank.

We skipped the Ferris Wheel. We'll have to go back with the girls.

 

 

This would've been pretty cool if we had more time to get it to work right. People kept walking in front of the machine.

 

 

 

After Scheel's we went to the model home that is the same as our house plan in Lehi to check out some things. It made me so excited for my new house!!

 

Charles took us to Carrabba's for lunch, and yes, it's still the best restaurant ever.

 

After a quick trip to Costco, we were on our way back to Heber to pick up the girls. We had to go to Midway to pick up a few things so I took some pictures at the farm with my phone. I love winter.

 

I loved spending the day with my boys, all three of them.