Old-Fence, De-Fenced, Pre-Fence, New-Fence

On our list of "Home-Improvement" Projects has been to install a new fence. Ours had become increasingly more wobbly, so much that the kids could move it back and forth in a worrisome way. We decided to have a vinyl fence installed before the baby comes and before the garden gets underway. After a lot of negotiating and working with our neighbors and the fencing companies, we made it work.

Ganon and some very kind neighbors tore out the old fence while I was at a meeting (Ganon didn't want to put me into labor). They had fun using a jack-hammer, grinder, and chain-saw along with some new fun tools that I bought. I was limited to the hammer and shovel. The hardest part was the walnut tree that we had to chop down and remove. Luckily no one was hurt (much).

The fence posts were installed and left to set for several days. They provided some semblance of a fence so the patrons next door were less likely to see our yard as a park. (I only actually had to shoo kids out once). The installers finally came this morning to set the last two posts and installed the pickets. I think it looks great. We have increased privacy and increased safety. It looks very clean and has little or no maintenance. Once the weather clears we will have a party in the backyard.

Nesting Part 2

I finished the other half of my sewing project last night. The girls look so cute in their matching outfits. If only it was warm enough to wear them outside.

I've also been working on my garden. I haven't been able to do too much outside yet, but I actually have life growing in my "greenhouse" downstairs. I have a few lights hooked up that I turn on for about 12 hours each day. The plants are on the table next to the furnace. The kids enjoy watching the little sprouts come up. So far we have pumpkins, watermelon, cucumber, zucchini, and tomatoes. No sign of any peppers yet, but we haven't given up hope. My dad is going to come and help get my garden started outside when the baby comes. I'm so excited!

(Pumpkins: front, tomatoes: back)

Nesting Part 1

I am 35 weeks pregnant today and am counting down the weeks until we become a family of 6 (4 wks 1 day). I have been nesting, but not in the usual way. I have not been wanting to wash the dishes or get the baby's stuff ready. Instead I prefer to spend my time sewing stuff for the girls or working in the garden. Here are pictures of my current project. Rebecca is very excited and has been helping me sew her new dress and pants. (I am proud of myself for actually using and following a pattern- it worked pretty well). More nesting pictures will be coming soon.

Anthem Park, AZ

We went to visit my sister Heather in Arizona for Christmas. She lives in a nice neighborhood where you can get a great view of the stars at night (no city lights to worry about). My sister and her three kiddos, my brother Aaron and his wife Emily and their three kiddos, my parents, and our family with our three kiddos all stayed in her three-bedroom house. I wasn't sure exactly how it would work with 17 of us, but it was SO FUN! I loved giving our kids the chance to get to know their "other cousins."

(Not the best pic of us, but I think we're related)

While we were there we tried to spend as much time outside in the sun as we could. One afternoon we went to a place called Anthem Park near Heather's house. It has a playground with slides big enough for the "big kids." I had a great time playing tag and hanging out with my family.

This is us playing tag. Doug (underneath) is "It" so Heather, Aaron, and I are running for our lives.

The girls having fun on the frog/ lizard creature.

David not quite sure what is going on and why I'm asking him to stop.

Papago Park, AZ

While in AZ, my brother Matt wanted to go on a hike. Unfortunately, not everyone thinks of climbing a mountain as fun so not everyone went. Based on my current medical condition, we compromised and picked a little mountain with a hole in it that was easy enough for David and Rebecca to do without complaining.

Papago Park is one that I have enjoyed going to since I first moved to AZ. (I was almost attacked by wild geese one time-- I gave up my bread so they didn't kill me). My brother Matt and I have climbed to the top several times over the years. I wasn't quite up for it this time, but Matt still showed off for everyone.
It was fun going with my parents and brother and his family. Lucy is just younger than Rebecca and is full of energy. She had fun trying to follow David around on all of the sharp drop-off areas. So fun! No one fell over the edge and no one cried, so I think it was a grand success.

(P.S. My Christmas pictures disappeared but miraculously resurfaced when I was ready to give up on blogging- hence the long gap between posts- sorry).

Reasons to be Thankful

Over the past few months Ganon has been lamenting our lack of a piano. While neither of us are concert pianists, we both like to practice on occasion. We had decided to try using a piano keyboard instead, but we were worried about the kids around such an electronic/ expensive piece. Somehow, Heavenly Father always knows the righteous desires of our hearts and makes a way for some of them happen. One of my good friends was given a piano, but it didn't fit into her new house. She lovingly offered it to us. With a little bit of coordinating and a lot of strength from friends we moved it to our house. Now I have a perfect place to set up my nativity scene (generously left in the house when we moved in). The piano is definitely the best Christmas gift I've ever given Ganon-- he is so happy. Another Reason to be Thankful.

As we celebrated Thanksgiving at home this weekend, Ganon helped me with some nesting issues. I wanted to rearrange some furniture and some rooms (this usually happens when I am 20 weeks pregnant). We set up a bunkbed in the girls' room. We made David's room the Play Room. The kids love it. David was so excited to have his train table back in the house (it's been in the garage since we moved in). Rebecca even joined in when she was feeling up to it (she has been sick which is why we stayed home for T-day). I am thankful that the children choose to play with each other in the Play Room instead of using the computer or making messes elsewhere. Our house already feels more peaceful and organized. I am thankful for Ganon's patience with me during this whole process-- working with an emotional pregnant woman cannot be easy.


I am also thankful for generous friends and family. One of Ganon's friends (the same who helped with moving the piano) gave us some coupons for free stuff from McDonald's. These have been a life-saver over the past few weeks. I was especially grateful for them at the end of our ward party last week. Ganon had class so I took the kids by myself. They ran out of peanut-free desserts while I was waiting in line. Of course right then David ran up and announced that he had eaten the required number of bites of scary-looking real food so he had earned his dessert. Thankfully, I was able to use my last coupons to get a dessert for my kiddos and make the night less of a tragedy. I know this doesn't sound like much, but for a pregnant mom with three sad children it was a gift from heaven. I know that Heavenly Father watches out for us. He knows what we are going through. He doesn't always make our trials (big or small) go away, but he can make them more bearable.

Our Developing Story

So, for those of you who haven't heard, we are looking forward the Stork making a delivery at our house in April. Today we went to the Doctor for our 20 week ultrasound and we thought some of you might like to see a few pictures that developed. The baby is measuring right on schedule to arrive on (but hopefully before) April 15th. For those interested in knowing the gender of our little one feel free to email or call. We would like to allow those interested in the surprise (definitely not me) to remain in the dark (until I accidentally slip...sorry).