Thursday, December 11, 2008

Mirror

After a thorough search, I finally found a mirror to hang above our master bathroom vanity. Ikea's montag mirror is the right height, length, and, most importantly, price! It's just the complete wrong style (contemporary) and color (photo 1). But those things are easy to fix...after a little trim, paint, and stain, here is the outcome (photo 2). A much closer match to the vanity.


Thursday, December 4, 2008

Family Photos












My good friend Michele took some excellent family photos - here are a few of many!

Sunday, November 30, 2008

Two Thanksgivings



As our home filled with more and more dust and paint fumes, I realized it would be a lot easier if I got out of the house so I took a last minute trip to visit my parents in Connecticut from Nov. 18-25. They've been working just as hard on their new house in Norwalk and it is a truly beautiful French Normandy. Marcus' logger genes (from Kjell's side) emerged as he loved to watch several large trees get taken down in the yard. I spent much of my 8 days continually entertaining the kids - we went to Stepping Stones Museum, several libraries and parks, the pool at the YMCA, the Nature Center, and bowling. Several days it was so bitterly cold that we couldn't stay outside more then a few minutes even when we were bundled up from head to toe! Marcus loved to follow Grandpa around everywhere and went on a couple of shopping trips with him. Grandma was at my side helping me keep the kids fed, entertained and from not breaking things - no small task!
We were able to celebrate an early Thanksgiving with Aunt Darcy and Richard, who drove up from Long Island. Aunt Darcy came laden with gifts, much to the boys' delight (see the matching sweaters and electric train set in photo 1). It was wonderful to catch up with them. Photo 2 - Richard giving Marcus a high-five. The pics we took with Grandma and Grandpa didn't turn out.
My mom was not feeling up to par for much of the trip and finally went to the hospital the night before we left to find out she needed her gallbladder removed! She's lived in pain for quite a while now which all made sense when the doctor saw the condition of her gallbladder (it should have been removed a year ago!) The boys and I visited her in the hospital the last day we were there. Unfortunately, I missed my 10-year high school reunion by a couple of days.
I arrived home the day before Thanksgiving to all the trim and painting complete and other projects done as well (Kjell was very busy!). It almost made the 5 hour flight 7 months pregnant and with 2 kids worth it:)

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Fire Station


Our playgroup visited the Orem Fire Station today. Marcus had a great time but was disappointed that he didn't get to ride in the fire truck (just walk around in it). The kids all got hats, pencils, and stickers. Holden's new favorite toy is his Nemo fish which he carries everywhere!




Sunday, November 9, 2008

Banister


















Photo 1 - Our original wrought iron banister - now a popular climbing structure in the backyard.
Photo 2 - No banister! Oh yes, and the roof is gone too...(we vaulted the ceilings). Notice the stairs changed position too.

Photo 3 - Posts in place.

Photo 4 - Joshua (Kjell's brother) helping to finish the stairs and banister. Suffice it to say this was no small project.

Photo 5 - The finished product!


Many more before and after pics to come....

Tuesday, November 4, 2008

Friday, October 31, 2008

Halloween '08


Any guesses who we're dressed up as for Halloween? That's right Joseph and Emma Smith.
Please enjoy the video of some Thriller dance moves in our living room.







Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Pumpkinland
















Today our ward playgroup went to Pumpkinland. It has become one our traditions to go to Pumpkinland every year with the kids in costume to take pictures. As you can see, Holden is an adorable Carebear and Marcus is Barney. Marcus was Barney last year but didn't mind one bit being Barney again (I bought him an elephant costume that was beyond cute but had to be returned because it was way too small for him). While at Pumpkinland, we also enjoyed a cornmaze, animals, and fun play areas.

Sunday, October 19, 2008

"Corndogs"




On Thursday we went to Cornbelly's at Thanksgiving Point, a virtual fall paradise for little kids. We were there for almost 3 hours enjoying a hayride, the cow train, the kiddie corral, jumping pillows, pig races, slides, corn mazes, and countless other activities. Now Marcus begs to go back to "Corndogs" (a food I recently...and reluctantly...introduced to him that he loves).
Photo 1 - Holden handing me a kernel he found in the wagon.
Photo 2 - Not quite getting the "corn maze" concept.
Photo 3 - Marcus' favorite activity - a cow train pulled by a tractor through a pumkin patch. Yes, we see you picking your nose.

Thursday, October 16, 2008

Master Bath





We started using our master bathroom this week! It was quite the process to tile and once that was finished it took over 5 months for the vanity to arrive! Once the vanity was installed we quickly added the fixtures and toilet. Now I'm on the hunt for a mirror.
I had originally picked out ceramic tile for the bathroom but stumbled upon this gorgeous marble at Costco of all places and couldn't resist (especially since it cost less then the ceramic tile!) Still, hauling box after box after box from the shelf to the cart (which I could barely push) to the trunk and into the house (the marble had to be warm before being installed so it wouldn't crack as easily) was no easy task. Marcus and Holden were no help. Did I mention we ended up doing 3 bathrooms in this marble? Of course, looking back it was worth it and maybe I even built up some muscle along the way...
Photo 1 - We converted a bedroom into the master bathroom.
Photo 2 - How much of our house looked after we moved in. No fun.
Photo 3 - The master shower. This is now covered in marble from floor to ceiling.
Photo 4 - Our luxurious bathtub. I'm sure I'll enjoy in for years to come.

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

The BIG 65




Happy birthday Dad!
Photos - Dad (in the baseball cap) recently supervised/engineered a heavy lift in San Diego. They lifted a turban and generator (250 tons apiece) aboard the m/v Jean Anne.
Next year I'll be posting retirement pictures....

Friday, October 10, 2008

Proposition 8


You don’t think Proposition 8 will affect you? Here are six ways Christians will be effected if Proposition 8 does not pass:

1. Children in public schools will be taught that both traditional marriage and same-sex marriage are okay.
The California Education Code already requires that health education classes instruct children about marriage. (§51890)
Therefore, if the definition of marriage is changed, children will be taught that marriage is a relationship between any two adults. This will be very confusing for our children.

2. Churches will be sued if they refuse to allow same-sex marriage ceremonies in their religious buildings that are open to the public.
The civil rights activists could fight to keep our church from doing temple marriages since same-sex couples could not be married in our temple or in our churches.

3. Religious adoption agencies will be challenged by government agencies to give up their long-held right to place children only in homes with both a mother and a father.
Children deserve to be in a home with a mother and a father. Catholic Charities in Boston have already closed its doors because of the legalization of same-sex marriage in Massachusetts.

4. Religions that sponsor private schools and provide housing for married students will be required to provide housing for same-sex couples, even if it runs counter to church doctrine, or the church will lose tax exemptions and benefits.

5. Ministers who preach against same-sex marriages will be sued for hate speech and could be fined by the government. It has already happened in Canada, one of six countries that have legalized gay marriage.
Bishops, stake presidents, and other clergy of other faiths would be liable for hate speech if they taught their congregation that same-sex marriage or same-sex relations are sinful. This is taking away our freedom of religion!

6. It will cost you money. A change in the definition of marriage will bring a cascade of lawsuits. Even if courts eventually find in favor of a defender of traditional marriage (highly improbable given today’s activist judges), think of the money – your money, your church contributions – that will have to be spent on legal fees.
As you can see, our rights will be drastically effected by this election. If same sex marriage is legalized in California I worry that the new definition of marriage will spread like wildfire and our children will reap the consequences. We should have the right to worship as we please—this is why our ancestors came to America in the first place.
But what about equal rights you say? The Gays and Lesbians of California will not lose any rights or benefits for their families if this proposition passes. However, if it does not pass, we (Latter-Day-Saints) could lose everything, including the right to preform temple marriages or civil marriages in our churches. Civil activists could fight to take away the right to marry if we do not open it up equally for all marriage arrangements. No on prop 8 could also take away the right of LDS adoption agencies to place children with LDS mothers and fathers only. Children deserve to be in a home with a mother and a father. We owe it to those children and our own!

Sunday, October 5, 2008

Evolution of our fireplace


Photo 1 - Original fireplace (b. 1971)
Photo 2 - We love Carlos. He built out the firplace so the TV would sit flush against the stone. Carlos also added some piping behind the stone for all of the TV wires to feed into the office.
Photo 3 - The tile is a little brighter than I first thought (it looked a lot duller in the store) .
Photo 4 - We had our first fire while watching General Conference today. We took many precautions to direct all heat away from the television. Ignore the wire...we had to order a longer one that hasn't arrived yet.

Look for exciting future additions of "evolution of our banister" and "evolution of our closets."

Sunday, September 28, 2008

Technology

Last week Kjell borrowed my camera to take pictures of employees that had broken records at work. When I downloaded them I found that he had mistakenly taken videos instead of pictures, which of course amused me greatly. My friend Angie inspired me to post this charming video. And maybe it will motivate Kjell to check the blog more often...

May I also please note that my mother-in-law and I found the armoire in the video at a garage sale for $5?!

As a disclaimer, Kjell is really quite technically savvy....

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

"Snips and snails, and puppy dogs tails...

...that's what little boys are made of."

It's a boy! Congrats to the half of you who guessed correctly in the poll.

All looked well in the ultrasound today...now if only we could come up with a name....

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

Playgroup



Tuesday mornings are so much fun thanks to our ward (church) playgroup. Today we drove up South Fork Canyon for a picnic and the weather was just beautiful. Here are some pics:

Photo 1 - Neighborhood kids sitting on a log up South Fork Canyon

Photo 2 - All of the kids sat safely on the banks of the freezing cold water except...

Photo 3 - Marcus! He played for over an hour in nothing but some boots and one of Holden's diapers (he immediately got all of his clothes wet of course)

Photo 4 - The moms (photo taken by a 4-yr-old) but we're missing a few regulars.

I should also note that Holden went swimming before I even finished unloading the car. He was soaked and scared but fortunately Jessica was there to pull him out immediately and provide us with a spare oufit!

Sunday, September 7, 2008

Sweet Darling




Marcus has learned many new skills in the past weeks, like putting on his underwear and pants all by himself. He can also undo his seat belt and get out of the car, clean up all his toys, and say lengthy prayers at night. His daddy has been teaching him how to shoot rubber bands, his new favorite activity (thanks Kjell). I get a kick out of the fact that his undies are inside out and backward most of the time, but he absolutely refuses help. He wore his pants backward to church today, very proudly I might add. He's also learning to write his letters, we've done L and O so far, and Kjell makes Swedish pancakes with him every Sunday morning. He's especially good with a mixer and improving on his egg-cracking skills.
His cute little personality comes out daily. Sometimes when we can't find something he'll say a bee took it and flew it away. Or he'll put his foot in time-out when he accidentally trips. He's all about "turns" and fairness and seems to love pre-school. Trains are still number 1 in Marcus' book. "I want to build a so great big huge long huge track" is often heard at our house. One day he told me that Marcus is mommy's "sweet darling" and Holdy is mommy's "doll boy" and he beams with pride when I call him this self-appointed pet name. Apparently, we've been a little too liberal at letting him go pee-pee in the bushes when we're playing outside in our yard, since last week he did so on the slide at the park before I could stop him. Although he certainly tries us at times, we surely love this little boy.

Doll Boy





Sweet Holden. My baby is growing up! He's an indepedent little man who loves to shut anything that is open, go outside, follow Marcus, and wrestle! He and Marcus wrestle more and more often and I've given up trying to stop them, especially since Holden initiates it half the time. Remarkably, they don't tend to hurt each other although hard-wood floors don't help. Now that Marcus is in school, we get more time together but I have to say that he can be very self-entertaining at times, which really helps me to get things done. I love Holden's infectious laughter and sweet disposition.
Photos 1,2,3 - Every since his first haircut, Holden went from being a red-head to a blond. Time will tell what color he chooses next, since he had dark brown hair until he was 6 months old!
Photo 4 - Holden's first attempt with a spoon. He did OK at first and then started to drink his yogurt.