New Kitchen Cabinets!

New Kitchen Cabinets!

Okay, so I haven't taken very many before and after pictures but...we are at least at the halfway point or more after today. Jake has loaned us his handyman and trusted friend to help us out. He is amazing. His name is Eric Bjornson and he gets a ton done in a day. Last night the cabinets were laying un put together in boxes all over my house. They not only put the cabinets together but got them into the kitchen and attatched today. We are still waiting on tile that will come in on Monday and have decided that Jake was right and we are going to open the door into the dining room into and entry like the other side of the kitchen. It just opens the whole room up a ton. I still have not decided on countertops yet. In fact only halfway looked one day a couple of months ago. Where do the days go? It will probably be another month before the project is completed. We still have the floor, the doorway, and the crown molding and floorboards to get finished. We decided to try to pay cash for all of this and, because we want to go to disneyland and a few misc trips real soon, we are going to put off new appliances for a few months.
We are going to use stainless steal applicances...do you think I need a new sink? The new refrig will be bought to fit in the enclosure better. This refrig is wider than usual I think. I measured the black one downstairs and it fits almost perfect to the edge of the wood. We will splurge though and get a new over the stove microwave since the old one is too far gone to install again. Its night in these photos and so the walls look a golden yellow color...they are actually a golden brown that go great with the floor. I'll try to post pictures in the daytime so you can really tell the color..Daddy has worked all day every day of his vacation on this project for us. He actually had to get the walls and ceiling textured, then primed and then painted. Is it any wonder I love this man?

Half the Family home for a few days

Half the Family home for a few days

We went to the Temple for our Shift on Wednesday and Daddy was in so happy because he was able to pass off the inititory...he has been going on Tuesday night and practicing for the past couple of weeks...so he was very excited that he finally had it all word perfect...and then to add to that...Guy and Allison and the kids were at our place when we got home. We visited a little and hit the sack.Grandpa said it had been a great day! In the morning Guy and Allison got to go and ski/snowboard at Timberline...the snow was pretty good and they had a good time. They then went to a fancy cinama to watch "Alice in Wonderland" that they enjoyed alot. They spent the night in a Marriot someplace....and Grandma got to spend the day with her grandkids. We had alot of fun and Grandma LOVED Every Minute of it. One of those quiet sweet hold cuddle and play at home days. Ty and Brayden both are so delightful. That night however, TyTy got stomach flu, and Brayden was right behind him...by time Guy and Allison returned home.. POOR GUY AND ALLISON, pretty much stuck in the house the whole vacation..Guy and Allison had to spend that night with sick kids....Jen and kids came late in the evening. We slept through everything that night.. On Saturday we had Jen with her kids, Cindy and Jake came over with theirs, and Grandma and Grandpa Hill, Jay, Heather and their two, all came for the afternoon. The house was full but the kids played and enjoyed each other and so did the adults. Around 9 everyone left for home and Jen was heading to Sandy when her tire blew out on the highway. Guy and Jay and wives went to hlep her change the tire. Since she had bought the tire here in Gresham she decided to spend the night with us and try to get it fixed in the morning before heading back....ends up, no tire place is open on Sunday and so she got to stay another day. We all spent a lazy morning then got ready and went to our ward. Dad had to get up early to give a talk in Walters Hill ward. TyTy decided he was still sick and Allison took the brunt of that during Sacrament. Since she wasnt smelling so good, and Ty was sick Guy ran them home. Now Allison has come down with it too. It probably hasnt been a great VACATION for them, but I have loved every minute of having them all here. Family is where its all at! Maria and Kyle were able to close their house this last week and the ward helped them move in on Friday. How we wished we could be there to help. I got to go to the Temple on Saturday morning real early with Jennifer. I will always cherish that memory. JP stayed home to hold down the fort and earn a living for them this trip. He was missed. Missy and Justin had visitors all summer from the family but I am looking forward to having them here this summer for the Hood to Coast....so, the Hood to Coast....yup, we need as many runners as we can get, it will be hard to firm all that up till this summer...but plan on being here one way or another! Grandma Hill told us last night that Keri had been put on bedrest and that Donna had left to help out....and today they had the baby! Havent gotten all the details yet but we are all excited for them. Mandy got to see Keri the day before. Mike and Mandy are getting closer to their little one coming every day. They also got Cathy Gibbs to help them with their Taxes and they are excited that they will get a good return this year. Mike is finally feeling like he is catching up at school and Mandy is feeling pretty good for being pregnant. She only has a couple of months of working left....as if motherhood isnt a job in and of itself! They are trying to prepare so Mandy wont have to work after the baby comes. Oh, Cindy and Jake....amazing...well, thats what I say every couple of weeks when I go out there. Jake has now added the back deck and finished the new siding on the two lower portions of the house. They also have finished the stairs and upstairs hallway and carpeted. The whole house is looking way bigger. I couldnt believe how much larger it looks on the outside this last time. Last Thursday was Grandparents day for their kids. I had such a good time visiting the kids classrooms and at their music presentation. All the grandkids look like they have grown 6 inches to me. Kaeti and Kenz came to my class at church today...and then I realized that Kaeti really was old enough to have been in my class....Wakeup call for grandma! This is just a smidgent of what is going on...oh, but before I close...I FOUND AN ANTIBIOTIC that cleared up my 6 week sinus infection! I thought for awhile this one was going to literally suck all the energy out of my soul day by day... I woke up the second morning of the second anitiotic and could breathe through my nose...I felt like I was in Heaven...and then the kids all came and I knew that I was in Heaven...love to you all

March 7, 2010

March 7, 2010

Dear Family,

Here is mom and Hannah! Nothing like a new photo! I promise I will do better next time!

This morning in Stake PEC, I rec'd an new Ward as a HC representative. Guess what Ward:
No, not Powell Valley that was my old Ward assignment. If you guessed Estacada Ward then you would be right. It was fun to go back to Jen and JP's old Ward. Lots of good people and good memories! Bishop Wells is at the helm and there will be good times in the future. Besides my regular assignment with Music and The Blood Drive, I have now been assigned the Relief Society. I learned so much from the girls in the YSA Ward. This will all be fun!

I went to Salem for a worskshop on Friday... Proficiency-Based grading workshop. I dropped by Franklin to pick up the tests, afterwards. Looks like the students had a great time when I got up in my classroom. Lots of paper on the floor! So much for a day with the Sub!

We worked on the kitchen , Saturday, and Eric (a worker Jake recommended form his Ward) will be coming back on Monday to finish the taping and and preparing the floor for the tile. This has become a long project. Mom says we are not cut out for this remodelling. Hopefully by Spring Break we can get started on the kitchen cabinets.

Mom is still under the weather. She has emailed into her doctor for stronger medication. Hopefully, that will work! She will be going in on Monday to see a doctor.

Guy and Allison will be coming this Wednesday. We cannot wait for the Grandchildren, oh yah and Guy and Allison you are welcome too! Did I mention that the grandchildren are coming? Not that we don't want to see the parents, but is always fun the see how the grandchildren have grown, changed and to be a part of there lives, once in a while.

Kyle and Maria... Feliciationes! Glad to hear you got into your new home! We can't wait till we come and see it. How is Riley? Hope he is fine. How is Brookie taking her new room. Do the girls get their own room yet? How is the new job, Kyle?

Melissa and Justin... How is the family doing. Any more new projects. Life is a project some days, it seems. It was good to skype with your family, yesterday. Missy it was good to see your knitting on the blog. I guess I should make comments at the end, but I do really read them!

Jake and Cindy are really making progress on the siding of their house. I have not been over there recently, but I am told it really is moving on. Cindy and the young one will be over tomorrow... Cindy has a dentist appointment.

Jen and JP Should be up next weekend. Guy, see you are bring your sister from a far! We all will be eating on Saturday for a family feast around 5pm. Be there or be square! Jen, Jp, Cindy, Jake Dad and Mom! Any other takers?

Mike and Mandy went to the Fireside with Elder Rasband, Sunday evening. WE miss those Firesides. Mike is working all Saturdays 12 hours ...yesterday. Kind of neat to be working in your own same field of work! Way to go Mike!

Love you all!
Dad