Family Time

We have been spending a lot of time with family lately, and doing some fun stuff. We got to watch ALL of Jason's kids last week while he and Shalee went to a wedding. We had them for the whole day, and it was a lot of fun. The day flew by, there was so much going on. Of course, the girls are a huge help, so they just play with the kids while I take care of feeding the baby and such.

I finally got the girls their trampoline. We had promised them when we finally settled down and had our own house again that would be part of the deal, but we were so busy with other things when we first moved in and then the weather turned cold. I was not going to make the mistake of getting them a trampoline for Christmas again, so I told them in the spring -- when it warmed up. It finally got nice enough so I went to order it... but, in looking around I found the cutest backyard, natural toys/exploring things for kids. I really wanted to do something like that, but when I showed it to the girls I could tell they weren't quite as thrilled as I was -- mostly scared that just meant they wouldn't get their trampoline, so I just hurried and ordered the tramp before I could talk myself out of it. I think I'll work on the other things as time permits, and maybe my grandkids or someone else will enjoy them.

I've really wanted to attend a color festival since I first learned of them about 5 years ago, but I always find out about them too late or something has come up. This year it ended up falling on the same day as a big training I needed to go to. I kept trying to talk myself out of the training, but I knew I needed to go. Chloe was pretty sad about my choice, especially when she found out her best friend was going to it. Then Brandon was doing some research and saw that the Salt Lake chapter was also holding one in May. We already knew it was the same day as Ross' graduation, so we dismissed it as another lost opportunity, but when we got Ross' announcement and saw the party didn't start until 5:00 we decided we could try to squeeze it in. So we did. We drove to Salt Lake, hung out for a little over an hour, got colored all over, and then ran home to clean up. That is messy stuff! Sophie got pegged in the mouth with a handful. She was not real happy about that, and now has a dislike for corn starch.

Then it was off to Logan to celebrate Ross' graduation from USU. I think it's pretty cool that I have a brother who's a pilot. We ate some food, everyone played some baseball (while I took pictures of Emerson -- lucky me!) -- oh yes, there was a pinata, then he opened some gifts. That is one spoiled kid. I guess that's what he gets for being the baby. I'm posting a few pictures here, but the rest of the pictures can be found by clicking this link, for those who don't get enough of my photos.

I actually have some news on our house. It looks like my kitchen is really going to happen! I have been working since February to get some bids. Wow, that was so much harder than I ever thought it should be! Contractors are not the most reliable people. I only got one person to follow through and give me a bid (it was too high, and their methods didn't feel right). Then one day a realtor showed up at my door. I didn't need his services, but I told him if he knew any good contractors I was hiring. We got a bit side tracked when he found out that I eat a plant-based, whole foods diet. I ended up inviting him in and we visited for over an hour! Then one day, out of the blue, he calls me and has a guy who's interested in our project. We had him come over and check things out. He came back -- that same night! Needed to get a few more measurements. 9 days go by (now we're worried at this point because he said it wouldn't be more than a week), but he had a plan for us. I took one look at it, and my heart sank. I am the absolute worst person at being able to visualize things before they are created, but when I looked at that floor plan I knew I didn't like it. While Brandon was off visiting with this guy I shared my concerns with Chloe. She told me I had to tell him I hated it, so we discussed how to do that politely. He was a good sport about it and went back to the drawing board. He came back a few days later with another plan. I still wasn't excited. We told him to give us a few days to think about it. Those few days were rough. We didn't know if we should just give up on the whole idea or what. Brandon was not about to spend this kind of money on something that he couldn't be guaranteed I would love, and I have no idea how to find something I love without it already existing. And then it magically (by the grace of God) fell into place. I found a picture that looked an awful lot like that second plan he had drawn up. I made the necessary changes, and told him what I needed. I'm pretty sure he thinks I am crazy, but I don't care. I am going to get a kitchen I am happy with! He redid the plans (and while we were waiting on them our realtor friend just decided to stop by and check on us again -- weird, but I thanked him for the referral), and when he brought them back, with a bid, I was excited!! He's now taking them to the city. I'm sure they'll take their dear little time, but we've actually got the ball rolling.

Sophie and I had a spontaneous field trip today. I had tried to sign up for it when it was first announced, but I didn't do it fast enough. They closed the registration period way quicker than normal (even though it hadn't filled up). Soph was bummed when I told her we missed out, but this morning someone who had registered posted that they couldn't use their tickets. I was able to grab them before someone else did, but that didn't give us much time to eat, get dressed, get Brandon to work and get to Provo. We barely made it, but they didn't start on time (go figure). It was a creative dance (ballet) of music around the world. Some of them were really cool. I was happy we made it -- and we didn't even have to pay (I am so cheap).