Remodel Complete!

Before...

The front door view

from the kitchen area
into the master bath area

(I didn't quite get the before picture soon enough for a "before" shot)

After...

The new and improved view from the front door. If it doesn't look like the same house it's because we took out the wall which separated the living room from the family room. We also raised up the sunken living room floor so it could all be level.

from the kitchen table, looking towards the front door.the new master bathI have yet to purchase the mirror for over the vanity.
And last but certainly NOT least because I love it...

our mudroom, coming in from the garage. It's where the washer and dryer used to be, which is now in the master bath area. They have their own closet.

I LOVE...

having the washer and dryer in my room,

a place just inside the door for everybody's stuff,

having a big kitchen table area at which our family can all sit comfortably (before it was tiny!)

having a larger, more spread out family room,

the spacious feel that our new and improved house now provides!

It was a gruelling 6 weeks, much harder than anticipated. And I must say THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU to my 3 sisters-in-law who helped many times to watch my kids while I worked. And to a few of my good friends who also helped me. I could not have made it through without your help. And inspite of the fact that Keith was and is gone OFTEN, the key days he took off to be here and work were so helpful to me. Some days I just didn't think I could go through it anymore. My parents also came over a couple of days and painted and cleaned which was so great! And to Dan, my brother-in-law who is a general contractor and did the majority of the work, Thanks for your diligence and hard work! The end result ... just right!

I LOVE IT!

A Diamondbacks Birthday!

Keith got the firm tickets to the D-backs game for my Birthday! With 4 seats, we took Tanner and Spencer with us. It was so fun to go with the big boys and enjoy a game. We were just a few rows up from behind home plate. It was a great game, and we even made it not only on the jumbotron, but on TV as well. And to top it off, Cold Stone gives out free icecream on your birthday, so I had one awesome wafflecone, with cookiedough icecream (you know me:) and chocolate and caramel sauce. Of course, I shared with Keith, and we got one for the boys. It was a FUN night!

And then for my present, I went to see Wicked the following night at Gammage with the Forsberg crew. It was awesome - LOVE IT! Can't wait to see it again, this time with Keith! (He was unable to go because Tanner had a tournament baseball game.)

Our little baby Flew the Coop

Check out our cute little hummingbird! He's just a baby. His little nest is right outside our front door, under our entryway. We were wondering for a while why a hummingbird kept hovering by our front door. Eventually, we noticed this tiny little nest - about 2 inches in diameter - up on my twigs by the ceiling. Obviously, the bird thought this was a great place to lay eggs. And within a few days, we noticed a little beek peaking out! SOOO Cute! We hardly saw the mommy after that, in fact, we thought the baby was going to starve. But then one morning we came out, and the baby wasn't there. Then Keith looked above the entryway, and...

there it was! It sat there for a minute, then flew a few feet at a time, going back and forth to the raingutter, and then it flew off! It was so cute to see his first flight off into the big world!Good luck little Hummingbird!

The Happiest Place on Earth!

Wow, we just had the greatest vacation to Disneyland! I love that place. It trully is such a happy place to be. It's always clean, cheerful music is playing everywhere you go, and everyone is so nice and friendly. WE LOVED IT! We spent a few days, so we didn't feel rushed to get everything in right away. We took our time, and enjoyed every bit of it. We even made good use of the pool at the Hotel. Hunter and Spencer loved going down the slide...

My parents joined us for one day of the trip, which was so fun. They actually were with us on Keith's birthday!

The boys loved the jacuzzi...

And I think the Grizzly River Run was Tanner and Spencer's favorite ride. They went over and over and over. And boy, were they soaked!

Conner loved playing at the pool as well!

Tanner and Spencer even enjoyed some time with Cinderella! She showed them how to be "arm-in-arm" with a princess! I could tell they were a little embarrassed, but I think they both secretly liked it! They sure had the giggles!

Isn't Tyler so cute working so hard?

Overall, awesome vacation! I even braved the "Tower of Terror", which Keith insisted I try, and I have to say it was one of my favorites! Hunter loved it too! Well, there were lots of favorites about the whole trip! Let's just say, we will do it again sometime!

Hunter and Spencer making their moves in the pool!

Our crazy kids think because it's hot out, it's time to swim. Surprisingly, they did not begin to cry when they SUBMERGED (well, Tyler did - I had to rescue him quick). You guys sure have some cool moves Hunter and Spencer!

They swam for probably 10 minutes, before I made them get out! I was too cold just watching them! Our boys are much braver than I!

The Perks of Family for Neighbors

I have to say how great it is living next to family. There are so many perks...
Shared birthday parties (their kids are the same ages as our youngest 3) -We get to split the responsibilities in half!

Relationships more like brother-sister rather than cousins...

My neices feeling right at home (Reese pulled the bench over to the pantry, opened it up and grabbed the candy jar. She didn't know I was watching - I have to say I LOVED it! I love seeing them feel so at home. Of course, with a big secret grin, I grabbed my camera and then called her name)

Lots of practice sharing... they play together all the time!

Learning new tricks from your cousin who is 3 weeks older than you... anyone who knows Mason knows what a climber he is!

Enjoying the benefits of having dogs as pets without actually claiming ownership and responsibility...

Hunter just loves Duke and Daisy (Yes, Keith's brother was a big fan of Dukes of Hazard, hense their names). There are many many other numerous perks...

*sharing backyards - we knocked a hole in the wall between our houses...they enjoy our fort, we enjoy their trampoline, along with all the other yard toys.

*working out together (Katie keeps me inspired)

*BABYSITTING BENEFITS - I can't say enough about that one!

*Having your doctor next door!

I could go on and on and on. But I have to say, it is AWESOME! And I recommend it!

Thanks for being such great neighbors Katie and Russ!

Featuring TANNER!

Tanner doesn't usually show very much animation. But when he came home from school and showed Spencer his little dance, I thought I'd catch it on video! (And if you listen closely, you can hear Tyler singing his own song from "Mulan": "Let's get down to business, to defeat the Hauns!"We celebrated Tanner's birthday on Friday with a few friends. After some basketball, followed by ball tag, it was time for cake (vanilla with strawberry bavarian cream filling at his request - and it was DEE-LICIOUS!). He opted to "clap-out" instead of "blow-out" his candles.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TANNER - YOU ARE NUMBER ONE!!!

Only Spencer...

We had the funniest conversation last night. Tanner had been stalling all evening in practicing piano. I finally said to him:

"Tanner, why not just practice and make the most of it?" Then Spencer said:

"Yeah Tanner, why don't you just surprise our teacher, 'cause I already surprise her with my AWESOME LOOKS!"

Of course, he had the perfect expression to go along with his statement.

That's our funny Spence!!! I just about died laughing!

They're in HEAVEN!

The best place at Nana and Grandad's...The Pantry!! Nana is always loaded with treats!

All Grown Up!

It seems CRAZY that Tanner is old enough to mow the lawn! It IS crazy!!! I remember so well our days of him being our only little boy. Time really does WHOOSH by! Well, as much as I don't want him to grow up, there are some great perks! He is such a great helper in so many ways, and he's so happy to do so! We love you so much, Tanner!

Let the good times roll!

Hunter said the other day that he wanted to try riding his bike without training wheels. So, we took them off, and to my amazement, he just took off, and did not fall! I was so impressed! Conner and Tyler have so much fun in the tub - I love it!! Today we saw this Dora cake on Nick Jr. The boys wanted to make it, and I happened to have left-over frosting from decorating Santa's cookies, so I said sure! Here is the end result! The boys, along with Riley, Caitlyn, Mallory and Reese all had fun gobbling it down after school!

The Ride on the Light Rail

We had a long adventurous ride on the finally-up-and-running light rail last week. It was fun, even if it was a little long. We decided to go all the way down town to really take it all in!A few more of our December photos! For starters, Conner and daddy! Conner actually enjoyed being out in the cold up at the cabin!

Hunter was so excited to put the star on top of the tree!

Tyler is on the left, although it does look like Carter is ready to blow out the candle for him!

Happy Birthday, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Wow, what a busy December!! Well, every December is crazy, right? But it did feel like this year's was even moreso. I guess now that we have 2 December birthdays, it'll always be extra LOADED. But we wouldn't have it any other way. December is the best with so many things to celebrate and be grateful for. We began the month by celebrating Tyler and Conner's birthdays. We figured since Tyler is turning 3 he wouldn't realize we were celebrating his 3 weeks early. We also enjoyed a couple of days at the cabin. Sledding in the fresh snow was so much fun!! Christmas was very enjoyable for everyone in the family. The day was so great! I have to say, New Year's Eve was a little different though. We had planned a FIESTA at our house for the youth from church. But, when Keith came home early from work feeling horrible, we knew THAT was going to be difficult. Luckily, our good friends bailed us out and hosted the party for us! Thanks, Delana and Todd!! So, Keith layed down in a silent house all night, while mom and kids hopped from one party to another. I have to say it was kindof fun to sit by Keith's side, just the two of us, while we watched the Time Square Countdown and said "Happy New Year". It was a nice peaceful wrap-up for the last few minutes of that fun-filled month!

This hill down which we sled sits 2 cabins down from us. It was so great to enjoy sledding while the baby napped peacefully in his crib! My niece Carly was so embarrassed when Spencer put his arm around her while they played the part of Joseph and Mary. It was so cute!

I love seeing Tanner still enjoying a visit with Santa. (He was our special visitor on Christmas Eve at Nana and Grandad's.)

Hunter was so meticulous as he made his gingerbread men of playdough! I love to see him at work!!

Conner, at first, was unsure what to do with this cake in front of him. It was so funny. His brother's were quick to show him how to DIG RIGHT IN!!