Part 2

There is now a wall. Instead of chiseling every piece of cement off the wall, Rich and his dad came up with a great idea. They built a wall 3 inches out from the existing one, and covered that. It saved a lot of work, and we really didn't lose any space. Here a a few pictures of them framing, insulating, and the finished product. We are in the process of mudding and taping, and hopefully soon, we will have a finished project. so, once again, stay tuned...

Rock Wall Part 1

In my living room, we had one whole wall that was a fire place, and the entire wall was covered in rock. It was sparkly, and looked very 70ish. I was hoping of someday being able to get rid of it, but I doubted that it would happen. Well, while Rich and TJ (my BIL) were hauling off the scraps from the carpet wall, (yes, on the same day as that demolition) my sister and I got an idea, and started chiseling the wall. We didn't get too far, because the rocks were attached with cement. Rich came back, and didn't speak,I think he was in shock, he had no idea that I wanted it gone. He knew that it meant more work for him! Here are my sisters starting the project.
Here is Rich trying to get all the rocks off, he had blisters, It was really good for him to get his frustrations out, and have something to beat! We had only used the fireplace once, it needed to be cleaned, and I didn't like that I couldn't use the wall at all.
This is the guys ripping up the hearth. It turned out to be nothing but cinder blocks. I am surprised how many corner were cut in building this house. Every day its a new surprise. The nice thing is, is that I can fix it how I want, as we can afford it.
The kids were so excited to help haul out all the rocks. Amy and I would make a pile and the kids were carry out the little ones for us.

And this is where it was for about a 2 weeks, I do have updated pictures, but my new cameras memory card won't let me upload them, so that will be another post for another day, its not finished yet, but it does look better! Sorry, I know every picture I have of them working is of their backsides, but it was the best I could do, stay tuned...

More Demo of Another Kind

Every year for Christmas, my mother in law invites us over to make a gingerbread house. I look forward to it each year. Now that Abby is big enough, she get into decorating it too. Abby and Nate watched that house every day since the first of December, until the first of January, asking when they could eat it. My sister and her kids, and a couple of my siblings were over, and the begging started. I was headed out to the trash with it, but instead let them have a free for all! They loved it, until my little brother cut his finger on the gingerbread. (I mentioned it had been there awhile.) He was okay, but that was the end of the house. Here are a few pictures of them devouring it. It was pretty cute.

Catch Up Time

So those of you that are reading, Beware, it is catch up time on the blog. I know there is a lot, but there is more to come. I have pictures of all the other projects we are working on!! I just hope to have more done, before I show you. So until then, here are all the Holiday pictures.

Demolition Time

So, for those of you that have been to my house, know that I had a very large carpeted blue wall. You will also know how much I hated it!!! This weekend was the demise of the carpet wall!! I can't tell you how excited I am about that. My BIL, TJ came and helped Rich tear it out. I will post pictures when it is finished. Right now its just a drop off, so I am hoping the finished product will be soon. So with the wall leaving, It leaves a mess, that means, I get to pick out new carpet. I can't tell you how excited I am to get rid of the blue carpet. It will be nice I hope. Stay tuned for the rest of it!

Santa found us!!!

Thanks a tons to my SIL, Maria, I finally have some Christmas pictures that prove I was actually there. She took some great pictures for me. I don't know whats going on with my camera, but my pictures now have lines. We had a great day, Grandpa and Grandma Rowley came with Matt, Mike and Maria, to watch the kids open their gifts. They were truly spoiled, Abby got a DS, Nate an Imaginext jungle with all the animals, and Leah, a very cute rocking chair, and dollhouse. We spent the morning at home, and then went the G & G Rowleys to watch them open their gifts. We had a great breakfast. and played some Rock Band with Richs family, and then headed back home to get dressed. The kids each picked a toy, and then we went to my parents house, to see what they got. It was perfect timing, because my brother was on the phone when we walked in the door. He only has 7 month left on his mission in Kentucky. My sister wasnt able to call, because she is still in the MTC in Argentina, and they don't permit them to call from the MTC. But it was great to talk to my brother, and the kids had fun playing with all their new toys. We spent the day playing games, and then headed home in a very bad snow storm. What usually is a 30 to 40 minute drive from their house became 2 hours. We had the windows rolled down to see the sides of the road. We stopped and helped some people out of a snow bank, and continued on our way. We made it home safe and sound, and spent the evening watching a movie together. We had a great day, and all were very spoiled!
Abby and Nate, being woken up so that Grandma and Grandpa could see them open their presents.



Dad and Abby playing with her DS. I don't know who was having more fun.
Leah reading stories in her new chair.

Christmas Eve

We spend Christmas Eve with my family, because it is a bigger tradition than Christmas at my house. First of all the kids all re-enact the Nativity. (sorry my pictures have lines through them, I don't know whats going on!) While my dad reads the Nativity story. The kids are always so cute, and love dressing up for the role. Following the nativity, we all eat treats while the kids do their gift exchange with their cousins. This year we did something different for the adults. Each adult brought an Emergency Preparedness item or Food Storage item, and wrapped them and put them in the middle of our circle. Then we all draw numbers, and get to open the gift, or steal one from someone else. Its fun to see what gets stolen, and what people come up with for gifts. We ended up with a 40 pound bucket of wheat, and a starter set for a 72 hour kit. It was a fun night, but the night was just beginning. We headed home for Santa to come.




Every year, its the tradition to get new pajamas on Christmas Eve. This year they had matching snowman pajamas. They looked so cute!!!

Making Christmas Candy

One of our favorite things to do for christmas, is to make candy. The kids love to help, and are the first to volunteer to taste test it for me.

Christmas Outfits

I love to do outfits for the kids for Christmas Sunday. It was a lot of fun finding clothes that at least kind of coordinated. The girls got their hair done the same, Leah is finally getting hair that I can pull back, and they all looked adorable.

Big Girl Bed!

A week before Christmas, we made the move to the Toddler Bed. Leah loves it, and so far does not get out of it during the night. She loves her bed, and tells everyone she is now a big girl. Just like I was warned, it does mean the end of nap time for the most part. I will go in to check on her after even an hour, and she will have pile of stuffed animals in her bed telling them stories. Its so fun to see the develop their personalities, now cross your fingers for me, we are trying to tackle potty training!!!