MIA

Sorry I haven't posted lately. We have been having lots of fun, and I have been taking a lot of pictures that I want to put up, but our computer hasn't been working. The monitor has gone out. We are getting a new one (when David has time... I don't dare pick one out myself). Meanwhile, I am just stealing a moment here and there to check up on your blogs on David's computer when he isn't using it. I will work on getting more pictures posted soon!

I love FALL!

David and the kids and I went to NY for Stake Conference yesterday. This in itself was interesting to me; I have never had to drive more than 5 minutes to get to Stake Conference let alone an hour! But the drive there was so incredible! On our way home we stopped at this old cemetery. It was really really beautiful. I really don't think that graveyards are scary (I don't know how I would feel in this graveyard in the dark on Halloween night though). In fact, when I die, I would love to be buried in such a beautiful, peaceful place. The picture collage just below this is all of the graveyard.

The next two pictures are just some of the pictures we took in random place along the road. They were so incredibly beautiful!

This is of a road in Jamestown. I loved the red brick roads and as we drove down them we sang our own version of, "Follow the yellow brick road," from the wizard of oz substituting red for yellow. I just had to take a picture of one because I loved them so much!

If there is one thing that could keep me on the east coast forever, it would be how absolutely beautiful it is here in the fall. I am totally amazed every time I step out my door.

Phase Two

So here is phase two of the kitchen. The cupboards are all in, except for the shelf that David need to make at the end of the top row. We need to get the kick boards in, tile behind the counters, and paint. It is coming along though. David stayed up until 3:00 am Wednesday morning putting all the doors and drawers up. I fell asleep and didn't realize he was up so late until he came to bed. He is so sweet. He said he just wanted me to have my kitchen put together and he knew he would be really busy for the next couple of weeks because he has two big tests coming up. He really is a cutie. I didn't feel too awfully bad for him when he admitted he was watching "House" all night (which he has recently become addicted to). His parents brought him the first 3 seasons to watch because it is a doctor show. Anyway. The kitchen to be continued...

The Kitchen

So here is our kitchen. We are remodeling it, and this is what it looked like before. Actually this is what it looked like with the previous owners (We don't have pets, and I had things arranged a little differently). It was ok I guess (everything mostly worked) but it wasn't really safe for a growing family. In fact if you are cooking on the stove and happen to touch the oven, you got a shock! Also the oven didn't insulate the heat very well. I have burned myself on it a couple of times trying to get something out of the oven. Good bye old kitchen. I would not wish you back again.

This is the beginning of demolition. Our home teacher, Jeremy, came over to help. He knows a lot more than we do about this kind of stuff and was a really big help. David's parents were also in town. His dad worked REALLY hard trying to help David finish some things before they had to leave today. The Missionaries even came and gave us some service hours and helped in the demolition. Thanks everyone.

Below is my cute husband. You can see all of the colors that the kitchen used to be behind him. There is also some wall paper above the window. I always think it is fascinating to see a house's history through the many layers of paint it has had.

Anyway, I will put up the next phase of pictures later. The cabinets are being built and David is working on the plumbing (and it is a nightmare!). I guess it had many problems that we were unaware of. I think between David and his Dad they have made at least 5 trips to Home Depot trying to get the right parts. Anyway, it will all get figured out eventually. Meanwhile I am taking a break from doing dishes (I am getting desperate though and am going to have to start washing dishes in the bath tub pretty soon!).

Happy Birthday Micah!

Hey Micah! Happy Birthday! We hope it is a GREAT one! You are one year older and wiser too! (Oh yeah, and by the way, I think your idea about the corn box sounds pretty funny!!!) We love you! Love, David Julie Gracie and Sammy

Old Mcdonald had a farm...

We have had a pretty busy week here. David's sister Lindsay came to visit us and we have been having so much fun with her here. On Friday we went to this fun children's farm. It is a really fun fally place that is geared towards little kids. First we went on a hay ride to a pumpkin patch to "pick" pumpkins. Actually the pumpkins were already picked, but the did get to choose one. Gracie chose one for her and Sammy. The second picture on the top row is one of Gracie while we were on the hay ride. She didn't like the tractor that was pulling us at all. I have only found two things that Gracie is afraid of: four wheelers, and tractors. I tried to get her to smile for a picture, but she just closed her eyes and kind of grimaced (I think she was trying to pretend that she wasn't there). After the hay ride, we went to this hay maze. Sammy thought hay was really interesting! Gracie thought it was great for climbing. She climbed all the way to the highest level of hay (three bales up) and danced to the country music they had playing. Next we found some really fun slides. Then we played for a long time in the corn box. It is like a sand box with corn instead of sand in it. Gracie thought this was the best thing there, and Sammy liked it a lot too. He kept going after the tractors and dump trucks that had in it. He is a true boy. We had so much fun on Friday, I can't wait to bring the kids back again! Maybe we will go with Grandma and Grandpa when they come this week.

What a hunk!

Happy Birthday yesterday Jeremy! I love you and I miss you. I hope you had a great birthday. Your present is in the mail. (Isn't my brother cute!)