A picture post...enjoy!

If we all spent some time doing this we would have fabulous abs.

Such a sweet boy.

Not so sure about this bow tie thingy.  It's good for catching drool though.   I found Rosie squatting on the deck and upon further inspection discovered she was slyly taking care of her Hershey Kiss wrappers.  Out of sight...Out of mind.  

Julie Kirby and Ellen Price

Grandma Arnell and a healthy plate. 

Tasty vitals

A great aunt and uncle getting in on the Wes action. 

Dave and Melissa start off their life together with much enthusiasm. 

Melissa's bro stuck with all these silly girls. 

Making cookies with Grandma and below Grandpa made little cars with humans for the kidlets. 

Serra put together lot's of puzzles with Grandma on our last visit. 

Weston discovered toes.   

...and rice cereal

The kids have rediscovered the pool....and Wes is sitting at 5 months.  What a champ!

I've been out to the new house a few times in the past 2 weeks and I keep forgetting to take pictures.  But as of today the drywall is finished.  The mudding is the next order of business and that should take most of next week.  Then the paint goes on.  I guess we need to decide on the colors soon.  The outside is all ready for stucco but we can't get the old dudes on the architectural review committee to approve ANY of our color choices.  It's not as if we are asking for hot pink or anything, they just are on a bit of a power trip.  Last saturday we finalized our flooring choices...a mixture of hardwood, textured carpet, travertine, and ceramic tile.  I am actually just waiting for them to send me the samples so I can finalize the wall colors.  The cabinets are mostly ordered...they are waiting for us to buy a microwave and dishwasher for a few final measurements but other then that we are hoping to be done by August 1st.  There will most likely be a few hiccups to set that back a bit but one must have goals. 

Our ward has already got people to replace us but won't release us until the end of July and that is fine with me.  I really don't want to say goodbye to this ward.  We have become close to more people here than in any other place.  We have grown a lot here, as well, from our callings, and the folks we have rubbed shoulders with and worked with. 

Brian has been sick all week.  It was a sinus issue and we had a spare Z-pack lying about and as soon as he started that he has felt remarkably better.  Sophia seemed to be unwell mostly at night and complained that her ear was bothering her.  Weston had an appointment on Monday so I took her in too.  She has double ear infections...no wonder she wakes up crying 3-4 times a night.  She is on the road to recovery.  Weston's eye started gooing and that makes for a very uncute baby.  With a few treatments of neosporin and another treatment that Liesl has used as well, he is back to normal.  Serra and I are cruising along comfortably.   Now for the baby stats.

The boy is 5 months old, 19lbs 7oz.  He is in the 90th percentile for weight and the 85th for height and head circumference.  A well rounded boy to say the least.  He is blond as can be with bright blue eyes and is said to bear a striking resemblance to his just older sister but when he smiles he is just like his daddy.  He recently had his 3rd haircut to keep him looking sharp for the ladies.  He busted out 2 teeth last week and likes to bite anything that gets in his mouth.  Yes, he is still nursing...carefully.  He is a very fair skinned child and Brian has taken to calling him "Powder."  I never saw the movie so I'm not sure if that is ok or not.  Either way he is still a remarkably, amazingly good baby. 

We are still attempting to potty train Rosie.  She understands and likes to wear panties but likes to pee just about anywhere but the toilet.  Today, Brian's office got sprinkled.   I asked her where she is SUPPOSED to go potty after the incident and she giggles and says,  "Daddy's office, on the floor."  Wrongo Dongo girlfriend.  We'll get there.   At the doc she weighed in at 38 lbs.  She is 2 1/2.

It has been over 100 for the past two weeks and my kids won't eat anything but popsicles and banana shakes.  I don't blame them really. 

I've learned that a washing machine is a throw away item.  That really bothers me.  Something that costs several hundred dollars (and is that large) should last awhile and if it breaks down it should be economical to fix it instead we end up adding it to our already full landfills.  Mid way through the travel laundry my washer stopped agitating and spinning.  The baby was out of bibs and it was his load that was in at the time.   Those of you that have met young Weston are aware that bibs are a very important wardrobe item for him.   I made some phone calls to local appliance repair places and I was looking at $75 just for a service call and most likely $200 to fix the problem.  The machine was probably only $300 to start with (I don't really know since it was here when we moved in)  So I got on Craigs list and found a better one for $150.  Brian did the picking up, carrying up the stairs, and installing of said item and I am up and running again.  There is a feeling of slight panic when I realize that I can't do laundry and the piles are getting higher.  (The only laundromats in town are in sketchy areas)  The new one is better and bigger than the old one and I was able to clean behind the machines while the move took place.  And I found two lost socks.

Funny...while Brian went to the ladys house who listed the washer on Craigs list he had an interesting encounter.  She was a forty something woman, in a wheelchair from a surgery gone bad, and was thanking the Almighty that he was here to take the washer off her hands.  She was so thankful that Brian felt obligated to buy the thing even though it had a few dents and dings.   After Brian got the thing loaded she started coming on to him.  She asked him if he was married...as if the giant ring on his finger didn't give him away.  He replied that he was.  " You know... you are a really big boy, and I mean that in a good way.  You could come over anytime and help me with my physical therapy."  NICE!  I'm afraid of what she would have said if he took his ring off and said he wasn't married. 

Anyway,  were up and running and the clothes are getting clean again.  I have an awesome husband who took care of the problem in under 24 hours. 

Rosieism...I haven't done many Rosieisms because up until now we really haven't been able to decipher much of what she says.  When Daddy is away from home she calls him Daddy.  When he is home she calls him Daddyome.  I think it started because when Brian gets home we all say, "Daddy's home!"  So she actually has started calling him Daddyome.  Pretty cute. 

I went to Logan with the kids last week for the Dave and Melissa's second reception.  I knew it would be a chance to visit with folks I don't get to see often.  It was indeed.  Ellen Price, Carolyn Parker, Grandma Arnell, and a plethora of Uncles, Aunts and cousins.  It was also very relaxing to spend a few days reading and hanging out with my family while the kids wore themselves out with their cousins and chasing the cat. 

On the way out we stopping in Cedar City for a short break.  I thought about getting gas then but thought I might be able to get it cheaper the farther north we went.  I had plenty to make it to at least Provo.  I was going to stop in Sandy to visit with my friend Heather who just had a baby.  That put me pretty close to empty.  I planned on filling up after that visit.  Of course, I forgot.  I'm driving along and I got through Farmington and I was in the fast lane when I lost power.  I knew what the problem was immediately.  I tried to limp along as long as possible hoping for an exit but had to pull off to the side before one showed up.  I didn't get off the road as far as I would have liked and every time a truck passed the whole van shook.  Serra was freaking out, "I don't want to die!"  She said about 40 prayers.  A highway patrol showed up after about 30 minutes and I already had a call into roadside assistance at that point and was waiting for them.  He pushed me off the road a bit further so I could rest a little easier and took off.  I thought that was a little weird...a woman with 3 small children on the side of the interstate and he took off.  So then a little car pulls up behind me and a young 20ish guy gets out.  I was a little concerned at first since I was expecting something more official like a tow truck type vehicle until I noticed the hue of his shirt.  Very bright orange.  No human would wear that color unless it was a uniform of some kind.  Indeed.  He gave me 2 gallons of gas, I gave him a nice tip, and he waited until I was on the road again before leaving.  The next exit was just around the slight bend in the road and less than 1/4 of a mile.  So I now know that my van gets 465 freeway miles to a  tank.  Good to know.  That adventure put me back an hour and we pulled into Logan around 10 pm.  The drive home was less eventful.

Baby Weston has been fussy this past week and much more barfy and drooley(if that is possible).  And his first tooth explains it all.  Thursday after our return to sweltering Las Vegas I discovered his first tooth poking through on his bottom front.  He has already bitten me once with it.  How do you scold a five month old.  By the way, he is right around 20 lbs and will soon have to switch car seats.  This gets tricky because he is still an infant and yet the infant seats are only supposed to be used to 22 lbs.  Maybe I should start a line of baby gear especially for the hefty baby. 

Yesterday for Fathers Day Brian got to stay home from his early morning meetings so he got to have "Goldenrod" for breakfast.  His gift was a digital picture frame with pictures already loaded for him.  I went back through the archives and put pictures of him with his kids and of the kids so he has something fun for his office.  He got a new tie of course, and Serra bought him a new tie tack.  And new big and tall socks.  Those are sometimes hard to find but Jaque Penne (JCPenney) now carries them.   After lunch the girls and  I made him cookies while he took a two hour nap.  When he woke up he had fresh c.c cookies and a glass of milk. Then we were off to for dinner with the Anderson folk.  Always nice. 

 I have some pictures but they haven't processed them yet...another day perhaps. 

Not my fault.  Really...I had every intention of updating after we got back from Chicago but my computer took a dump and I was unable to do so.  Now I have to try to remember everything that has happened in the past month. 

I guess I'll just start blabbing.  Serra finished Kindergarten today and has had her graduation program.  She is a little weirded out with the knowledge that she will not see her classmates or teacher again unless by some coincidence we run into someone at the store or park.  If we move mid-summer we are on the other side of town.  We are proud of her achievements this year.  It has been a challenge for her at times.  She seems to panic when something new is thrown at her and is moved to tears easily when that happens.  She was also rather clingy to her teacher.  She is that way with me though so I suppose that is just in her nature.  She is reading and writing a lot more than I remember doing at that age.  She learned all her sight words and is owed a movie with Mom and Dad for reaching that goal.  One of her accomplishments this year was taking a spanish class one day a week for the whole year.  Her teacher held a little fiesta this week and the kids showed off some of the things they learned.  I was pretty impressed with how much she learned.  When asked questions or told to do something in Spanish she responded quickly.  It was more for fun than to become fluent and she enjoys throwing words out there every once in a while. 

Serra and her Kindergarten teacher at the graduation picnic.

One of Serra's birthday butterflys before takeoff. 

Rosie is becoming understandable more and more every day.   She talks constantly but sometimes it is really hard to decipher.  She is a nudist and can be found streaking most of the time.  At least when she is nude she will use the potty (sometimes).  She still teases Serra mercilessly.  It amazes me how a two year old knows which buttons to push to make her six year old sister go crazy. 

Weston is somewhere in the 18 lb range and nearing 5 months.  He is due for a checkup and weigh-in which we will attempt mid June.  He is grabbing at things and smiles and giggles constantly.  (Especially for his biggest sister)  Serra and Weston are real buddies and I make other adults pee their pants from panic by letting Serra pack him around like a plaything.  She really is quite competant although we have to remind her on occasion that he is still just a baby.  He is a throw up boy as Serra likes to say.  He is still quite the little barfer.  I can't nail it down to anything I am eating so I have just decided the kid sucks down too much air or has an immature esophagus or something.  I usually smell like puke though and there is no wearing a shirt more than once around here.  I am considering buying stock in bibs as we go through 3-4 a day and that doesn't include burb cloths.  I am thankful for a washing machine and dryer. 

So... at the beginning of May Brian was given a set of Cubs/Padres tickets at Wrigley field.  He asked me if I wanted to go.  I told him if he had enough points to cover airlines and hotel I would be all over it.  He did so we put a trip to Chicago in motion.  Our family here in Vegas helped us out with the girls and we took off May 9th for the Windy City.  Did you know it isn't called that because it is windy? It's a politial statement from way back during the World Fair. 

We took off very early for the airport Saturday morning for a 7am flight.  Brian managed first class for the flight there.  So nice.  He doesn't like to board first though even though you get to because he says all the peasants passing on their way back to coach give you the stink eye.  Everyone was too busy smiling and pointing at Weston to give dirty looks though.  It was a very nice flight and Baby Wes was a dream traveler.  We flew into Ohare in Chicago and took a cab to our hotel.  The Raphaello.  Very nice suite right off Michigan Avenue and next door to Oprah's condo.  We rested a bit and then ventured out into town.  We had a hard time finding a place to eat since it was Saturday night and the lines were all way long.  We ended up at a tavern nearby eating burgers and watching sports.  (Brian was good with that) We found a Walgreens nearby and got some fruit for the morning and some treats for the night. 

Sunday morning we were prepared for rain as it was in the forcast.  We knew from experience in Boston and two dilapitated umbrellas later that an umbrella does no good if it is windy.  It was very gusty.  We got a cab and headed a few miles down the road to the Chicago Art Institute.  We had a great ride watching at least 30 people trying to use umbrellas only to have them turned inside out.  It was like a comedy routine. We enjoyed a nice quite day at the museum.  There is a great Chinese exhibit.  They sure know how to do pottery.  I especially liked the Egyptian collection which included a mummy still in its case.  I have been doing a lot of reading on Egypt lately and so it was a real treat to see some of the things I have been reading about up close. I liked the renesaince jewelry collection as well.  Amazing stuff.  I thought about Julie while looking at some of the early American furniture.  When we left it had stopped raining so we enjoyed the cool air and walked to dinner and back to the hotel. 

We spent Monday site seeing and did the Sears Tower obsevation deck thing and then to Navy Pier where we took an architectual tour up the Chicago river and and speed boat out onto Lake Michigan.  It was pretty cold.  Speaking of Lake Michigan.  Crazy big lake.  It's strange to see water as far as you can see and it not be the ocean.  Chicago is a beautiful city and we hit it during their tulip festival season and so it was really pretty.  We found some really tasty Chicago style deep dish pizza that night.  A first for me.  Weston sat in a high chair for the first time. 

Tuesday we took another tour, this time on land.  We saw and heard much of the same and like most city tours many of the stories we heard contradicted each other.  We headed out toward Wrigley field late afternoon by way of the Subway.  This was a first time for me.  Brian braved the NYC subways with Serra in December.  It's pretty crazy.  They give you about 2 seconds to get on and off once the train stops.  No snoozing or you could end up who knows where.  We ate at Harry Carey's and then found our seats.  We were fortunate to be under the terrace so when it started raining we stayed nice and dry.  The Padres ended up winning so Brian was quite pleased.  We got rained on quite a bit on the way back waiting in line for the train.  People were very nice to me because I was packing a cute baby.  They even gave up their seats for me.  When we got off at our stop it was on the opposite side of the street that we got on in the afternoon.  Soon we were really turned around and the neighborhood started looking a little sketchy.  Brian quickly hailed a cab and got us back on the right track. 

Wedesday morning we went to a restraunt called  Ditka's.  It was pretty fancy for breakfast but tasty.   We headed to the airport and had plenty of time.  So we thought.  Delta was retarded when it came to moving people through check-in.  There were only about 6 people ahead of us and it took them 1 1/2 hours to get to us.  We barely made it.  It had time to feed and change the baby and grab some food to take with me. 

Brian was unable to get us first class on the way back and they won't upgrade a reward points ticket.  Both our flights were full.  The first 2 hours leg we were in a 3 seat row and I was between Brian and a fat guy.  I am not a tiny petite woman myself and so I had to sit with my arms out in front of me for the full two hours and breath shallowly.  Half the time I was trying to keep Weston happy too.  "Would you like a drink?"  "Yeah, just balance it here on my head.  That would be fantastic!"  Luckily we landed before I started hyperventilating.   The second 5 hour stretch we were still in coach but in a two seat row so I only had Brian and Wes to contend with.  I don't know what I would have done if I had had to nurse him on the previous flight.  It was uncomfortable but managable.  We were pretty done in by the time we landed though. 

Thanks everyone for keeping our critters safe and happy and shuttling us to and from the airport.  We had a great time.  I missed tucking my girls in everynight and got a renewed appreciation for my life and family.  As much fun as it is to have a little break I am happiest when my little clan is gathered close around me. 

Nice hotel room in Chicago. 

Art Museum...crazy chinese art

Recognize that one?  I got in trouble for letting my flash go off.  Oops.

Couldn't pass this one up.

There is a seriouly old princess inside that thing.

Pretty tulips

By the Chicago river. 

A Dad and his boy. 

Very cool bridges that cross the Chicago river all the way through the city.  When they go up to let a ship through I can only imagine the traffic issues. 

A view of the city from our speed boat tour on Lake Michigan

First attempt at a high chair.  It was fun at first.

This is for Julie.  Oprah's penthouse at the top of the Water Tower Condos

Weird chrome jelly bean thing.  We had fun messing with the camera on this one. 

Famous fountain that I recognize from the beginning of a show that I wasn't allowed to watch...love and marraige, love and marraige...

The reason for the trip.  Hey if a baseball game gets me a cool trip I'm for hitting all the fields in the country. 

I got back to a Mothers Day present from Brian.  A docking station for my IPod...since I hate headphones.  We have really enjoyed it.  I have all my music on that little bugger and it is so nice not to have to put in and take out CD's.

It seems like one trip is running into the next.  We got back and got laundry done, finished up some school things for Serra, spruced up the yard so the HOA doesn't fine us, made sure everything was running smoothly for our callings, and packed the bags again.  Next Destination...California.  Rude Man Dave was scheduled to tie the knot on Thursday May 29th.  We headed down late Wednesday and arrived at the DiPadova's in time to go to bed.  What a nice set up for us.  Half the family was staying there and the room we got was huge and the bed was nice a big.  It was nice that the family lunch was there the next day too. 

We all got to the temple on time the next day and the only mishap that I can recall is that because I was wearing a dark shirt I had on a black bra.  Oops.  When I went to change into my white temple dress I realized that I had a bit of a problem.  I was a little self consious going braless at the temple.  Luckily the dress was like a night gown.  It's all good....

So Dave and Melissa are married.  It was pretty cool in the sealing room to know everyone there.  Usually the other side of the family are all strangers but we knew everyone including the sealer...our old Stake Pres.  Fred Huckvale.  Brian and I stayed as long as we could in the celestial room afterward.  It was sure nice to be in the LA Temple again.  Julie captured them coming out of temple and a few shots of those of us who were there.  We headed back to the DiPadova's for food and chilled out the rest of the night. 

Friday most of us went to the beach and everyone except my family got fried.  I stayed dressed because Julie had just done our family pictures, I looked good, and I didn't want to fight for showers later.  Wes was unimpressed with the whole beach thing while Serra and Rosie wore themselves out.  Rosie was so wasted that when it came time for pictures at the reception all we got was screaming Rosie.  Oh Well!  At least she looked good in the beach pictures which are the ones I cared about for my wall.  THANKS JULIE!  I'll bet your finger hurt after this weekend. 

The reception was a lot of fun and the kids looked great in all their matching duds.  Julie has all the pictures and so I will get copies this next week and post some for all our fans.

We went over to the Petersens for the gift opening gala on Saturday morning and Serra and Rosie took advantage of the sunshine and swimming pool.  We headed out after lunch to Santa Paula where we drove around a bit.  Brian peeked over our former fence to check on his avacodo tree (it seems to be faring well).  We dined at one of our favorite Mexican holes in the wall and then drove by the church to find them having a ward party.  So we stopped by and it felt like we never left.  Not much has changed.  We really miss the folks there.  That night we stayed at the haunted Glen Tavern Inn.  I took a bubble bath with the kids in the huge tub (sorry I forgot to take pictures) and then it was a pretty rough night.  I came down with a cold and Rosie and Wes kept waking up.  Maybe the ghosts kept pinching them.  We still managed to make the 9am church meeting.  We visited with a few more folks and Serra and Rosie went to Primary with their old friends.  We did get cornered and got our ear talked off by the ward loon who has neglected to take her medication in months.  It was remarkable that she could talk for 30 minutes and not a single bit of it made a lick of sense.  We made it back to Vegas in time for dinner which the crew saved for us. 

I've been doing laundry all week and we are heading out Friday to Logan for the rest of the wedding festivitites.  Brian will stay behind this time.  Phew!

It was so good to see everyone from the old days this weekend.  Wow!  It's weird to think we may never see some of them again although I have a hard time believing that. 

Here's something to look at while I compose a narrative of the past month...

Someone got a new haircut...

He's so stinkin' cute I just want to gobble him up.  This is a good shot of his dimple. 

And just for size reference here is Serra holding the little critter.  Not so little.  I'm starting to get the cronic back ache that I have had with each child from about 3 months to 1 year.  I think that is why my kids are early walkers.  I just can't pack 'em around after a certain point. 

Pre-haircut.  Serra got ahold of the camera and caught him in what looks like a private moment in the first shot. 

Saturday we got up bright and early and drove to old Casino Center in downtown Las Vegas and participated in the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure.  Breast cancer has touched our family through cases with family and friends and most recently a friend in our ward.  We were amazed at the turnout of over 20K people.  It was a sea of people...most inspiring.  It was a perfect morning at 65 degrees and after we finished the walk (we had the kids with us) we went out to breakfast.  Remind me not to do that again for a while.  Rosie is ridiculously ill behaved in public lately.  She is not only extremely loud but runs away from us.  When I am alone with the kids it is nearly impossible to keep track of her unless she is in a cart.  (Which she throws fits when I put her in one) I guess this is what you call the terrible twos.  The rest of the afternoon was spent completing errands that are better ran with Dad home with the kids.  Then Serra and I went to a play that our Stake put on.  It was a Musical Review and had songs from about 15 different Broadway productions.  It was fantastic and I wished I had had the time to participate.  Here are some pictures of our Race for the cure.  The group shot is after the race and we miraculously found some of our team.  The lady in front with the pink shirt is Jennifer Alvord who is in the middle of treatment right now.  She has finished the chemo and had a surgery and is undergoing radiation currently.  She should have a complete recovery.  She just sent her only son on a mission and her only daughter to her first year of college.  A trying year. 

Weston Slept for the Cure....

And a little extra...Baby Wes likes to sit up in the recliner and see what is going on around him. 

One of Brian's clients gave him a pair of his season tickets to a Cub/Padre game for next Tuesday.  We have enough points on Brian's credit cards to pay for airline and hotel so we are headed to Chicago next weekend and into the following week.  We are pretty excited because neither of us has been there.  We are taking the boy as he is still attached to me for the next year but the girls get to stay here with aunt/uncles/grandfolk.  Should be fun. 

I've been trying to get to this for days but we have been busy with birthdays and parties and all sorts of other things.  A few weeks ago we made the trek to Utah (minus Brian) for conference weekend.  We were grateful to have Jeff along.  That trip would be very difficult alone. 

Rosie knows where the getting is good.

The watchers

I had to include this because of the peeking Serra.  Babys are the sweetest when they are sleeping

Toddlers are especially sweet when they are sleeping.  Rosie still keeping track of the "weats"

Zorro, I mean Olivia

It's so nice to be with family for those "festivities".  I hardly saw my children as they were cousin occupied the whole time.  Even Weston was commandeered for most of the time with Aunties and Grandma.  I did see him about every 3-4 hours.  I was touched by the Solemn Assembly as it is such a rare occurrence and I think it is so great that we participate even if we are in our PJ's in front of a TV.  We were glad we were able to make it for Jacobs baptism.  I love to have my children see their family making good choices and doing the things we hope they will do someday.  Serra has talked about the baptism and is now counting down the years/months/days until it will be her turn.

Rosie was out playing in the yard (mud) with the kids and they all came in to tell me that she was stuck.  I pictured her stuck behind or on top of something.  But no...she was actually stuck in the mud.  It was the perfect consistency and when she stepped into it with her boots she stuck firmly.  when I pulled her up it made that cartoon SSSHHHLUCK sound.  Very funny for me and only slightly traumatic for a 2 year old. 

Since we have been home we have been photo shooting maniacs.  We had Weston's 3 month, Serra's 6 year, a much needed shot of the 3 children together (which actually turned out), and a few for others as well.  Friday last was also Serra's birthday.  We kept it mostly in the family.  The previous Sunday the Andersons threw a party with a plethora of gifts for both girls.  On her actual birthday we had breakfast and then she opened her gifts.  She is most excited about the Bugville Butterfly's (actual caterpillars that you watch cocoon and turn), A talking/dancing My Little Pony, The Disney Princess Kitty, and the stick on earrings.  She has also been really good about including Rosie in the fun.  I took cupcakes to share with the class as school.  That was something I never got to do because I had a summer birthday.  Serra's choice for birthday dinner was artichokes and Chinese soup. (egg drop)  Luckily artichokes were on sale so we picked up a few extra and had them for the other party as well.  (I'll get to that)  Her cake was a plate of three dozen donuts from Krispy Kreme stacked high and delicious.  That is one of here favorite things.  I think she ate three in one sitting that night.  She requested that she stay up late and fall asleep on the couch and Daddy carry her to bed.  The small things that make a child happy.  She got a lot of phone calls throughout the day and letters in the mail.   She felt very loved and special.  Thankyou everyone for thinking of her and making her month. 

Happy 6th Birthday Serra!

Don't forget to check out the video of this event.  Serra got silly string-ed.

Let's get started on this thing.                     Rosie fell asleep reading the other night.

The Little Man 3 months old.

We actually got one after many unsuccessful tries...Can you guess from the pictures below who the challanging subject is?

Ok...so that one turned out too....

They look so sweet....

There she is...six year old Serra.

...and an extra one of Rosie...she felt left out and wanted a picture alone too. 

Saturday I did a photo shoot for a friend for a birthday present.  They have a two year old and don't have any family pics with her.  It was really windy out but we decided to try outside anyway.  We headed to the only real nature place with foliage and were horrified to discover that the annual Scottish festival was being held there.  We couldn't even get close to the park.  She we headed to a new local park that had a gazebo and tried a few there.  After battling with the wind for a while I suggested we try a few on my backdrop indoors just to ensure we get something.  I was pleasantly surprised a how well most of them turned out. 

The week before a friend in the ward asked Brian if he wanted to buy the UFC fight and have a party at our house with carne asada.  (not a shy fella) So that's what started it.  Word got out and soon we had men asking how they could get an invite.  We started passing out food assignments, invited a few more people and by Saturday night we had around 20 people.  I had two of the wives come to keep me company and we sent the kids up the street with some other left home kids.  It was a lot of fun.  I didn't watch the fight but the boys sure enjoyed it. 

 It's been awhile since I've done a house update but that's only because I'm so busy working on it.  We're making great progress and we're still looking good for a July 1st move-in.  Here's some pics and commentary;

These first few shots were done a few weeks ago before we finished framing in the dropped ceilings, garage popouts, or finish details. This one here is from near the gate as you pull in to the development.  It's the best shot of the home that shows the full length. The second pic here is a close-up of the glass block window.  The guy who did it talked me in to doing the different pattern in the blocks...I like it a lot but it's really the one window in the house that gets the most sun and will make that room pretty hot.  Probably should have thought of that prior to building it there but at least it looks really nice.

These next two shots are again pre-finish framing and are of the entry to the home.  The first shot is what will be the enclosed front courtyard area and covered entryway.  The second shot is at the front door looking in to the home.  One of my favorite things about the home design is the openness and the fact that you can see all the way through the house as you enter it. 

This shot is the last shot of the pre-finish framing.  I show it so you can see the ceiling height.  Prior to putting in any drops it was 12' tall in the center and 10' everywhere else.  The way we achieved the higher ceiling in the center of the home is to construct the trusses to land at a precise spot and shoot up 2' and then span the rest of the way.  It's amazing how it all came together just as we'd planned/hoped.  We had to make a couple alterations due the foundation being slightly off but nothing that was a big deal.  This picture is standing at the back of the main living area and looking back at the kitchen.

Here's an updated shot taken yesterday of the house.  We finally passed our Sheathing and Shear inspections which allows us to dry-in the roof and wrap the home for pre-stucco.  As you can see the roofers are busy putting on the 40# felt and making us watertight.  They'll load the tile tomorrow so that we can then go for our next inspection.  In this shot you'll also notice the arches on the garages and the installed electrical panel. If you look close you'll also see that all of our windows and door jams are installed as well.

Here's a shot from the front door.  What we've done in the ceiling is to drop it 18" in spots to create "recessed boxes" patterned throughout our main living area/kitchen.  They are a little tough to see now but when they are drywalled and more defined it'll be easier to tell what we've done there.  The idea is that there is a little hidden trough where a rope type light is placed that will then reflect of the ceiling and provide indirect lighting below.  It may sound weird but I think it'll look really cool.  I was a little sad to lose our 12' tall ceiling but we still have that in the center of the boxes and the dropped area is still 10 1/2' which isn't too shabby. Also in this shot is our fireplace installed in the main living area.  

While still in the foyer area and looking to your left you'll find out formal living room.  You'll see we did do a dropped design around the perimeter of the room but not as elaborate as the main living area.  This room will be the hometeacher/visiting teacher reception area and I know Pam has been making noise about getting a piano to put in there. 

This shot is standing in the family room looking back towards the kitchen.  You can see a little more detail on the ceiling drop and also the framed in area where the range/hood will be located.  We're planning on wrapping that plywood area in fieldstone...should look nice.  I should mention here that Pam has been wonderful to let me make a lot of these design decisions.  I've tried to involve here in a lot of the choices and some things she's been adamant about but she's been nice enough, and knows how involved I am in this project, to let me make a lot of the choices.  I'm not sure if she's being extra nice or just happy to see continued progress.

Shot looking towards the hallway leading to the powder room and the two other bedrooms.

This is the long hallway that I was so concerned about on the initial plans.  I felt like it was a giant waste of space and tried several different ideas to make better use of the space.  Unfortunately I was up against a shear wall and a bathroom so there wasn't much choice other than to build it as it was designed and make the best of it.  Now that we have it I actually like it quite a bit.  It's hard to tell the detail on the ceiling but it's similar to the main room but it's a tad more elaborate.  Also, the long wall serves as a great picture place and removes the "master suite" from the rest of the living area. 

I should have taken more pictures of the bathroom but you can tell what part of it I'm most excited about.  This is my tub deck with two sided fireplace. 

A shot from the other side of the fireplace in the master bedroom looking back towards the long hallway/bath entrance.  To the left of this frame will be a wetbar with mini-fridge and entertainment center that'll control the TV over the fireplace.  Pam wasn't so sure about a wetbar in the bedroom but I think it'll be great.  

A random shot of the fireplace in the great room.

And last but not least is a shot looking back at the house from the back corner of the lot.  We have a lot of back yard space to fill and a pool has been bantered about quite a bit.  While it's definitely in the works it will have to be part of Phase II of the project as getting the house in over budget as little as possible is the focus right now.

This upcoming week I'm hoping to wrap the exterior with foam/lathe and get the plumbing/electrical/HVAC subcontractors wrapped up and a rough framing inspection called.  Really all that's left to do is run the low voltage electrical (cable/phone/speakers), run the gas lines (fireplaces, tankless water heaters, furnaces), and install the furnaces/FAU's.  After that is done we can go for our next big inspection hurdle (all-roughs).  Once we clear that we're on the downward slope of the project as we can then insulate, drywall, and start bringing in finish.