What have we got ourselves into???

We have finally decided to start work on our "TO DO" list around the house. Or things that we

would like done on the house. So we have started on the basement. We've always wanted to finish the basement to give us more room. I always feel bad when we have family come and stay with us and they have to sleep on our old futon (or we have upgraded to an air mattress) and have to sleep with all of the girls toys. Now... the futon and air mattress are still going to have to be used until better arrangement can be made, but now guest can sleep in their own bedroom! Downstairs there will be an extra bedroom, a family room, a cold storage room, a big closet, and a bathroom. I think the girls are the most excited about the bathroom.

The work started two weeks ago at 6:55am. Yes we had worker knocking at our door that early to start all the framing. So it all began with a lot of banging and hammering and sawing and things being delivered to my house. Next came the electrician who had to come on a Sunday because he was leaving town soon after that. Than the dry wall experts came that is when the basement really started to take shape. We have picked out the carpet, tiles and all other things to finish the project. This week the cabinets should be done after that I just wait and see what they tell me what is next. The whole thing has moved very fast and we can't wait to see the finished product.

The basement before work started

the frame work is up

now the dry wall is up

looking down the hall

on the right side is where the bathroom is going to be.

A hall with walls

If you were wondering this is what we picked for the counter top and colors for the bathroom tile

the granite counter top

the colors are the second down from the top with the brown tile on the side

This is our Dry wall being delivered and Owen loving the whole process.

For all of you who have been waiting so patiently, I have finally decided to sit down and blog. Okay it just boils down to the a I have a few minutes before we are going to stake conference. I have a lot of back blogs to catch up on. I have them titled so i don't forget what needs to be documented. So be prepared, but don't hold your breath

So as for these past few weeks I had been in the "stock pile get ready for winter" mode.  Neal and I made and canned many bottles of salsa. I had a friend  come and show me how to can peaches this week. I have over stocked my cereal supply ( for any of you that have seen my cereal supply knows that's a lot of cereal!) And I have been using my crock pot to make shredded beef and pork. Plus cleaning out my closet and pantry and the organizing the our food storage. I have been so busy that I forgot that I was supposed to pick up Brooklyn and Jordan from school. Now I don't pick them up every day, for my excuse, but I did remember right when they were getting out of school which meant that I was 15 minutes late picking them up and Mae had to say "Stop bossing me around Momma!" as I'm telling her to get into the car. Also soccer has started here and so now our Saturdays are taken up mostly by soccer games and this season we have all three girls on a team and Neal is still coaching Jordan's team. Aaaahhh the fun of running a household. I'm sure for most people that is just a walk at the park but for me, I am exhausted!!!

school programs

This week(end of May) was a week of school programs. 

Mae had her preschool graduation. These pictures were from the slide show that the high school kids put together. They are always surprised when her personality come through. She is very reserved and observant at school.

Jordan had her Kindergarten graduation with the frog hats and many songs. Jordan is in the purple shirt on the left side looking at the camera.

And Brooklyn had her recorder concert ( that is the approved instrument for 4th grade). Brooklyn had a special treat because her Uncle Shaun and Aunt Shannon were here interviewing for a job and they were able to be here for her concert. 

Marker Eater

WARNING TO ALL HIGHLIGHTERS...

MY SON WILL EAT YOU. 

RUN AND HIDE!!!

Yes, Owen has found out that he can pull the lids off of highlighters. I have found him many times with his mouth bight green, pink, or yellow. Not only can he take the lids off of those marker but than he bites off the tips of the markers. Owen has a very nice little collection of markers with no tips or the felt piece is just completely gone. I have found a few marker tip on the floor but most of them (I'm guessing) have see the inside of his stomach. I know, not a healthy snack, but Owen really enjoys the taste of those markers.

 I have to say one thing for Crayola. those lids are not easy for babies to pull off. 

Its the other brands and the marker that have the highlighter lids that he can that off. I guess I should count my blessings that the Sharpies have not fallen victim to... 

MY SON THE MARKER EATER.

Jordan's time to shine

Happy Mother's day to all you wonderful mothers and mothers-to-be. I look up and love you all. You all have helped me to be a better mother to my children.

Thank You!!!

Warning: I hope you like teeth. If you don't I'm sorry.

Now on to my subject of the week JORDAN! She has won the spot on the blog because of her teeth losing ability. I guess this story really begins when she was about 6 months old. She, as all little children do somehow fell and knocked on of her bottom front teeth. It was bleeding and wiggly and I remember calling dentist and asking if we needed to do anything. Of course "NO" but I had to ask. But he did say that that tooth would probably be her first tooth out. Now fast forward to Jordan age five. One day we noticed that Jordan had a very loose tooth , yes the tooth she had bumped years ago, So Neal asked her if he could get it out she said "OK." So off they go to a different room (because i just can't watch!) Three minutes later Jordan comes down with a tooth in her hand. No crying. No screaming. A little blood but nothing that an OtterPop wouldn't solve. Neal said "she was amazing! She let me push and pull hard at her tooth without any complaint. I don't think it was quite ready to come out but its out." So the end of the story is that now she has a little bruise on her tooth from her 6 month old bump. OH WELL.

Jordan 2nd tooth was all done by herself. She twisted a pushed and pop she had her tooth. 

Now if I remember right #3 was soon after the 2nd tooth but this tooth just disappeared after dinner one day. she had it in her mouth before dinner and after dinner Jordan got up from the table and went to play with Brooklyn when Brooklyn announced "Jordan your tooth is gone!" Jordan was little upset only because of not having a tooth to give to the tooth fairy. So we wrote a note to tell the tooth fairy "That we just don't know where it went." Jordan and I both signed the note" because if you have your parent sign they must believe the note" said Jordan.  So that was the tooth count for quite a long time until yesterday...

We have been trying to encourage Jordan to wiggle her top tooth and she would but she just wasn't in to it. Well yesterday as we were walking off the soccer from watching Brooklyn game (which they won!) The parent who brought snacks was nice enough to give a Gatorade and cookie to all of my girls. They were very excited about that. we were walking back to the van when Jordan said "Momma, my tooth just came out!" WHAT!? what happened is that she hit her mouth with the Gatorade bottle and the angle was just right to knock that tooth out. So a soccer win and a tooth out. What a great Saturday!

Jordan is just amazing at the tooth thing. She makes it look easy. I think the moral of the story is "Do not use pliers to get your kids teeth out. The teeth will just come out by themselves."

Kids having fun with the camera

 Jordan said "That one is the super best one I took!"



Classic grumpy and check out Owen giving Brooklyn kisses
These picture are the girls having a super good time taking pictures of themselves. That is all the explanation I can give. 

This  is Owen is his new Easter outfit. Its a 12 month outfit and already the collar and sleeves are too tight on his fat little neck and wrists.
I have no idea what Jordan is thinking. At least they all look cute in their dresses.

This year for Easter we did it low key because the whole week leading up to Easter Mae, Jordan and I were very sick. So I wasn't as prepared as usual. 

We did have an indoor egg hunt...raining weather... and we invited friends over to enjoy dinner with us. I think the best part was that the girls understood more about the real Easter and not just the Easter bunny. At night time prayers Jordan prayed that she was" thankful that Jesus died so that we could live." Deep thoughts for a 6 years old.  

It was just a great day to ponder about the true meaning of Easter.