Hailey and McKayla at the volcano
Hailey with her Valentine balloon- the only thing she wants for any holiday is a balloon.
Special Drinks
Thursday, February 14, 2013
Valentine's Day 2013
We celebrate Valentine's Day with a Valentine Volcano, Valentine card and gift exchange, and a busy disjointed candle lit dinner complete with non-alcoholic red drinks, or "special drinks," as they are called at our house.
Sunday, February 10, 2013
An Extended Vaction...
We enjoyed a long holiday season... or should I say we continue to enjoy a long holiday season. Scott, Lisa, and John Sommerfeldt flew to Houston for Thanksgiving. We enjoyed the company, a trip to Brazo Bend State Park (though we didn't see as many alligators as we did last time we went), built the bar for the backyard and feasted.
A few weeks later, we purchased a 2001 Honda Odyssey, and long story short, it's been a big headache ever since. On December 11, I loaded the girls into the van and we set out for Colorado. Fifty miles later we were stranded on the side of the road with a failed transmission. Kevin rescued us, I got the car from Bruce, and we again set out for Colorado. We took a day longer than we wanted but still arrived in Colorado in time for Jaron and Adalia's wedding.
We enjoyed our visit in Colorado. Congratulations to Jaron and Adalia! Hailey and McKayla loved time with all of their cousins- the Merritt's and the Mower's. It is fun to have Bruce's sister in Denvr and my spread across Colorado because when we visit my family we are also able to see Michelle and Ben.
Bruce had a training in Denver the week after the wedding, so it was great to see him some while I visited my family for a few extra days. If he didn't have training he would have returned to Houston to work while the girls and I stayed in Colorado. As it was, Bruce stayed at Michelle's most of the time, and the girls and I stayed the beginning of the week at my parents and the end of the week with Michelle. We enjoyed a morning with the Merritt girls and Madeline at City Park. A Christmas Exchange with my family. An afternoon at Brent's Place, the little apartment where Ben Merritt lives while he is undergoing chemotherapy and a bone marrow transplant. Shopping and laminating paper dolls at with Mom. It was really fun to see everyone, and a little weird to know that our life happens somewhere so far from them.
The drive home was (thankfully), uneventful and we were glad to get home, or more importantly, to get out of the car after 17 hours.
When we got back from Colorado we made arrangements to have the transmission repaired and by early January the van was up and running. Bruce returned to work as usual and we attempted normal life for a week or two. Mid January we interrupted "life as normal" to attend John and McKenzie's wedding in Utah. We used frequent flyer miles (mostly) and I took the two girls on a flight to Memphis, TN, then on to Salt Lake. Bruce flew after work on the same flight as Kevin's family. The travels went well in general. The girls did great on the first flight and enjoyed the 3 hour layover, for the most part. There was one episode of trauma when Hailey was bouncing her bouncy ball and it went down a restricted flight of stairs. She went to retrieve it and the airport attendant grabbed her. It shook her up pretty bad, in part because she was quite attached to the ball, but in part because we had been down similar stairs earlier, so she couldn't understand why this grumpy airport attendant wouldn't let her go get her ball. I'm sure we were quite the sight- I was pulling an overstuffed carry on with a duffel bag stacked on top, and a car seat stacked on top of that, I had McKayla either in the front pack, or trotting along beside and Hailey is running down the corridor crying inconsolably. It was a really awesome moment for all of us, but she did eventually calm down and we played on the moving walkway.
The stay is Utah was fun. The house was noisy and crowded for a few days with all the family gathered and it was great to be withe everyone. Sunday night the crowd dispersed- Bruce flew to Jackson, MS to begin "busy season." Kevin and Laurel wen to see her family, and Monday Ben and Michelle drove back to CO. Since Bruce was traveling and we were already in Utah we spent some time with Scott and Lisa.
Highlights of the visit included Hailey vomiting red cherry sours at the Brick Oven (Madeline reported that they had a candy party... one can only guess how many Hailey ate); getting sick and laying in bed all day for one day; playing at McDonald's play place with Joe; attending Les Miserable at BYU; night skiing with Ryan and Jen; a Dora the Explorer Party that Hailey planned (it consisted of everyone going in the living room with a blanket and watching Dora. I think Scott's Spanish has really improved because of that party); devotional and devotional lunch; visiting the Dinosaur Museum at BYU; going to story time at the Provo Library (Hailey still talks about how much she loved it. I think she might be disappointed by our library's version of story time); babysitting the Cox (better know as Coxen) girls while Stephanie was induced; and more stuff that I can't remember.
After the vacation, the girls and I were once again glad to be home. But it was not to be. Bruce had to stay in Jackson to work through the weekend, and since I hadn't seen him in 2 weeks, and since company policy is to fly a spouse out if they travel for the weekend, I was home for 3 days and then flew to Jackson, MS. Thanks to Kevin and Laurel who gave up their weekend to watch the kids! It was fun being in Jackson. Bruce had to work full days both Saturday and Sunday while I was there, so while he worked I walked around the city. It's a cute little place. Downtown is like a ghost town- the building are damaged (from hurricanes) and many are abandoned. There are only a half a dozen building with more than 3 stories. We tried to get lunch from both Chick-a-fil and Subway but they were closed all day Saturday and Sunday (really, a fast food chain can close... I know it's in a business area but still...). The mall in one of the suburbs (if you can call it that) closes all it's shops at 8pm on Friday night. But, there were lots of historic buildings to see. I didn't tour any of them but saw the outside of the Capitol, the Old Capitol, an art museum, some churches, etc. I walked to the farmers market and saw the area where Dixie National was begin held. I also went in a local attraction, and the busiest store there- a boot shop. :) I walked a lot, had one creepy encounter (shouldn't be too surprising since Jackson ranks in the top 10 most dangerous cities in the country, or something like that, remember figures accurately is not my strong point and I'm too lazy to verify that now, but feel free to do it yourself) but made it back to the hotel safely, and then took a nap. It was fun to have an all expense paid weekend with Bruce (sort of with him- I was with him when he wasn't working). Thankfully the weekend hours were not as long as week hours (8am- sometime between 9 and 11 pm), so we were able to spend time together in the evenings. Monday I flew home and returned to real life, a little more refreshed. And thus I become and advocate for a weekend away, even in slightly less than ideal circumstances.
And so, the months of vacation came to an end.
A few weeks later, we purchased a 2001 Honda Odyssey, and long story short, it's been a big headache ever since. On December 11, I loaded the girls into the van and we set out for Colorado. Fifty miles later we were stranded on the side of the road with a failed transmission. Kevin rescued us, I got the car from Bruce, and we again set out for Colorado. We took a day longer than we wanted but still arrived in Colorado in time for Jaron and Adalia's wedding.
We enjoyed our visit in Colorado. Congratulations to Jaron and Adalia! Hailey and McKayla loved time with all of their cousins- the Merritt's and the Mower's. It is fun to have Bruce's sister in Denvr and my spread across Colorado because when we visit my family we are also able to see Michelle and Ben.
Bruce had a training in Denver the week after the wedding, so it was great to see him some while I visited my family for a few extra days. If he didn't have training he would have returned to Houston to work while the girls and I stayed in Colorado. As it was, Bruce stayed at Michelle's most of the time, and the girls and I stayed the beginning of the week at my parents and the end of the week with Michelle. We enjoyed a morning with the Merritt girls and Madeline at City Park. A Christmas Exchange with my family. An afternoon at Brent's Place, the little apartment where Ben Merritt lives while he is undergoing chemotherapy and a bone marrow transplant. Shopping and laminating paper dolls at with Mom. It was really fun to see everyone, and a little weird to know that our life happens somewhere so far from them.
The drive home was (thankfully), uneventful and we were glad to get home, or more importantly, to get out of the car after 17 hours.
When we got back from Colorado we made arrangements to have the transmission repaired and by early January the van was up and running. Bruce returned to work as usual and we attempted normal life for a week or two. Mid January we interrupted "life as normal" to attend John and McKenzie's wedding in Utah. We used frequent flyer miles (mostly) and I took the two girls on a flight to Memphis, TN, then on to Salt Lake. Bruce flew after work on the same flight as Kevin's family. The travels went well in general. The girls did great on the first flight and enjoyed the 3 hour layover, for the most part. There was one episode of trauma when Hailey was bouncing her bouncy ball and it went down a restricted flight of stairs. She went to retrieve it and the airport attendant grabbed her. It shook her up pretty bad, in part because she was quite attached to the ball, but in part because we had been down similar stairs earlier, so she couldn't understand why this grumpy airport attendant wouldn't let her go get her ball. I'm sure we were quite the sight- I was pulling an overstuffed carry on with a duffel bag stacked on top, and a car seat stacked on top of that, I had McKayla either in the front pack, or trotting along beside and Hailey is running down the corridor crying inconsolably. It was a really awesome moment for all of us, but she did eventually calm down and we played on the moving walkway.
The stay is Utah was fun. The house was noisy and crowded for a few days with all the family gathered and it was great to be withe everyone. Sunday night the crowd dispersed- Bruce flew to Jackson, MS to begin "busy season." Kevin and Laurel wen to see her family, and Monday Ben and Michelle drove back to CO. Since Bruce was traveling and we were already in Utah we spent some time with Scott and Lisa.
Highlights of the visit included Hailey vomiting red cherry sours at the Brick Oven (Madeline reported that they had a candy party... one can only guess how many Hailey ate); getting sick and laying in bed all day for one day; playing at McDonald's play place with Joe; attending Les Miserable at BYU; night skiing with Ryan and Jen; a Dora the Explorer Party that Hailey planned (it consisted of everyone going in the living room with a blanket and watching Dora. I think Scott's Spanish has really improved because of that party); devotional and devotional lunch; visiting the Dinosaur Museum at BYU; going to story time at the Provo Library (Hailey still talks about how much she loved it. I think she might be disappointed by our library's version of story time); babysitting the Cox (better know as Coxen) girls while Stephanie was induced; and more stuff that I can't remember.
After the vacation, the girls and I were once again glad to be home. But it was not to be. Bruce had to stay in Jackson to work through the weekend, and since I hadn't seen him in 2 weeks, and since company policy is to fly a spouse out if they travel for the weekend, I was home for 3 days and then flew to Jackson, MS. Thanks to Kevin and Laurel who gave up their weekend to watch the kids! It was fun being in Jackson. Bruce had to work full days both Saturday and Sunday while I was there, so while he worked I walked around the city. It's a cute little place. Downtown is like a ghost town- the building are damaged (from hurricanes) and many are abandoned. There are only a half a dozen building with more than 3 stories. We tried to get lunch from both Chick-a-fil and Subway but they were closed all day Saturday and Sunday (really, a fast food chain can close... I know it's in a business area but still...). The mall in one of the suburbs (if you can call it that) closes all it's shops at 8pm on Friday night. But, there were lots of historic buildings to see. I didn't tour any of them but saw the outside of the Capitol, the Old Capitol, an art museum, some churches, etc. I walked to the farmers market and saw the area where Dixie National was begin held. I also went in a local attraction, and the busiest store there- a boot shop. :) I walked a lot, had one creepy encounter (shouldn't be too surprising since Jackson ranks in the top 10 most dangerous cities in the country, or something like that, remember figures accurately is not my strong point and I'm too lazy to verify that now, but feel free to do it yourself) but made it back to the hotel safely, and then took a nap. It was fun to have an all expense paid weekend with Bruce (sort of with him- I was with him when he wasn't working). Thankfully the weekend hours were not as long as week hours (8am- sometime between 9 and 11 pm), so we were able to spend time together in the evenings. Monday I flew home and returned to real life, a little more refreshed. And thus I become and advocate for a weekend away, even in slightly less than ideal circumstances.
And so, the months of vacation came to an end.
Tuesday, January 8, 2013
Locked OUT
Bruce has been traveling a lot for work recently. While we lived with Kevin and Laurel he went to Boston for a week and a week or two after we moved into our house he went to Jackson, Mississippi. He usually flies out on Sunday might and comes back on Thursday or Friday night. His absence is generally acceptable since we talk on the phone a lot and he's back for the weekends, but there have been a few instances when his presence would have been useful.
One such instance was last Friday. By the end of the week I'm usually tired. Tired of being the only parent, and tired from a lack of sleep. Bruce and I talk until bedtime, but many nights I still have a list of things to do, so I get to bed later than I'd like. So, Friday comes around, and I'm tired, but we're all out of milk and bread so I do the morning stuff and load the girls to take them to the store. We go to the Walmart on Fry- the one further from Kevin and Laurel's house. We shop, Hailey probably throws a fit( (I don't remember, but it's common these days as we're leaving the store), McKayla was tired and I get the groceries in the trunk in a hurry, close it, and realize that I just shut my bag, with the keys, in the trunk. The car has trunk access from the interior, but the doors were locked. At first I was so mad, then I felt stupid, and finally I started problem solving. I found a phone book and called a locksmith- $85 and an hour wait to unlock the doors. So I call Mom to see if I could use her AAA membership. Long story short, I'm not on the membership so they wouldn't come, but I could buy my own membership for $65. Cheaper than the one time unlock, I considered it. Texted Bruce for his input. He says to pick the lock. Now he claims he was joking, but he just did some research on how to pick a lock, so I think he was serious. So, I think, why not? And for a half hour I try it. Then a guy stops to ask is I need in, looks it over and says he can't help because of the kind of locks. Some other guys stop to help we mess with it, one guy suggests using a blood pressure cuff to pry the door open, then unclock the door, so I go in and buy the stuff as I call Laurel to come pick us up. Thankfully McKayla had fallen asleep in the stroller and Hailey was enjoying her chips and soda, so they were doing okay. The cuff worked- just in case you every get locked out at WalMart- to get in the car, but the locks are sort of curved and the hanger wouldn't catch and open it. Total pain. So, 2 hours later I ride to Laurel's house because I don't have house keys (they are in the trunk too). I was grateful for in-laws and babysat that night so they could go to dinner while Bruce took a very expensive cab (on E&Y's tab) to the car, unlocked it, and drove it to us.
One such instance was last Friday. By the end of the week I'm usually tired. Tired of being the only parent, and tired from a lack of sleep. Bruce and I talk until bedtime, but many nights I still have a list of things to do, so I get to bed later than I'd like. So, Friday comes around, and I'm tired, but we're all out of milk and bread so I do the morning stuff and load the girls to take them to the store. We go to the Walmart on Fry- the one further from Kevin and Laurel's house. We shop, Hailey probably throws a fit( (I don't remember, but it's common these days as we're leaving the store), McKayla was tired and I get the groceries in the trunk in a hurry, close it, and realize that I just shut my bag, with the keys, in the trunk. The car has trunk access from the interior, but the doors were locked. At first I was so mad, then I felt stupid, and finally I started problem solving. I found a phone book and called a locksmith- $85 and an hour wait to unlock the doors. So I call Mom to see if I could use her AAA membership. Long story short, I'm not on the membership so they wouldn't come, but I could buy my own membership for $65. Cheaper than the one time unlock, I considered it. Texted Bruce for his input. He says to pick the lock. Now he claims he was joking, but he just did some research on how to pick a lock, so I think he was serious. So, I think, why not? And for a half hour I try it. Then a guy stops to ask is I need in, looks it over and says he can't help because of the kind of locks. Some other guys stop to help we mess with it, one guy suggests using a blood pressure cuff to pry the door open, then unclock the door, so I go in and buy the stuff as I call Laurel to come pick us up. Thankfully McKayla had fallen asleep in the stroller and Hailey was enjoying her chips and soda, so they were doing okay. The cuff worked- just in case you every get locked out at WalMart- to get in the car, but the locks are sort of curved and the hanger wouldn't catch and open it. Total pain. So, 2 hours later I ride to Laurel's house because I don't have house keys (they are in the trunk too). I was grateful for in-laws and babysat that night so they could go to dinner while Bruce took a very expensive cab (on E&Y's tab) to the car, unlocked it, and drove it to us.
Hailey Rides Bike
Hailey loves riding her bike. She and Claire can ride their bikes with training wheels around the block.
Tuesday, September 4, 2012
Changes
There have a lot of adventures and changes recently.
Over Labor Day weekend Bruce had Friday and Monday off. We had planned to go to the beach on Friday but there was a chance for rain due to Hurricane Issac, so we postponed until Monday. On Friday we
Monday we loved the beach. It was a hot, sunny day. Bruce and I bought 2 body boards to ride the waves, but the beaches near Houston have small wave (because the ocean floor does not drop off for something like 8 miles off the coast). Without significant waves we didn't do much actual body boarding but enjoyed trying to catch the waves. It was great to have Kevin and Laurel with us. We took turns watching kids and going out on the body boards.
Hailey and Claire played in the sand, ran in and out of the water, and collected sea shells. Hailey became comfortable with the beach and did a little wandering while Bruce and I were out on the body boards. As Kevin and Laurel retold it, a man came asking if they were missing a little girl. Kevin and Laurel say no because they had accounted for all the children a few minutes before, did a double check after the questioning, and realized Hailey was gone. She didn't even know that she was four tents from home because she was "looking for Claire." McKayla also enjoyed the beach. I took the front pack (Baby Bjorn) and she rode in the front pack while I hold Hailey's hands (the waves would tip her over every time I released one hand) in the water. She also liked eating sand. Th to cool off. The water was warm and a refreshing way I applied sunscreen twice and still had a good burn the next day. The rest of the family also had some color.
The most dramatic event of the day was an animal attack: Kevin was coming in from body boarding, walking in the water a short distance from shore when he felt a pain in his heel. When he got out of the water his ankle was bleeding significantly. He was likely stung by a sting ray. He was in quite a bit of pain so we went home shortly thereafter.
Saturday the bishop called to see if he could come visit to get to know us better. He did stop by and we had a good chat. He also called me to be the Beehive Adviser, so I'll be working with the 12-13 year old girls. I'm excited. The bishop said he doesn't usually give calling until your address in in the ward (while we're living with Kevin and Laurel we're in the Katy 1st ward boundaries. When we move into our house we'll be in the Westlake Ward), but the Young Women Presidency was being reorganized and the president said that I was the person for the job. It's notable not only for the location issue, but also because the president and I had never met. It was fun to meet some of the girls Sunday and even more fun to chat with them at the activity on Wednesday.
Wednesday we made stuffed pumpkins from fabric. It inspired Laurel and I so the next day we made our own decorative stuffed fabric pumpkins.They kind of look like this. I loved them but then Bruce said he didn't love them so now I just like them.
Last week we drove by the house and the lawn had grown into a forest. We asked the home owner if we could mow the lawn and went to Home Depot to buy a lawn mower. A Toro Personal Pace lawn mower was on end of season sale and reconditioned, so further discounted. We bought our $400 mower for $200! So exciting. I just LOVE a good deal. Bruce mowed the front Monday night but we ran out of daylight so Tuesday I rode my bike to the house (4 miles) with the girls in the bike cart to mow the back. It was so long that it still looked terrible. Saturday we mowed again, edged, trimmed, pruned, and weeded. It looks pretty good.
Thursday afternoon Bruce got word that he would be traveling for work the week of Sunday, September 23- Friday, September 28. He leaves Sunday night and will return late Friday night... We were scheduled to close on the 28th. We couldn't do it as planned if Bruce is gone, so we started calling to find other options. The best option was to close the 21st so we check to see if the loan would be ready then. The loan officer said they can have the paperwork for the loan ready for Friday, September 21 so we'll be closing on our house on September 21, 2012!
It's weird. So far it's been "We're closing someday, just get comfortable and wait it out." But now it's, "We're closing in 7...6...5... days." There is so much to do. I need to get the kitchen table sanded, stained, and varnished. I need to repack some boxes. I need to... well, that might be all and it's not really that much, but it seems like it crept up on us.
Today we went to the train park. The kids enjoyed it, and I enjoyed a game or two of tag and hide-and-k. When we got home Hailey was tired and a little irritable. She and Claire were arguing so I told Hailey she could be happy downstairs or find somewhere else to cry. I was making sugared almonds, so when the crying stopped I forgot about the incident. About 15-30 min later Claire went looking for Hailey. I realized I hadn't seen or hear her recently and went looking. We couldn't find her. I checked the whole house. I checked outside, I got in the car and drove around the neighborhood. She's not known for running, but she does occasionally chase after Dad or Mom when we're leaving, or at the beach she got herself lost while looking for Claire. The biggest problem isn't the running, but the fact that she doesn't know that she's lost when she is lost. Anyway, I can't find her, I've looked every where I can think. Laurel's knocking doors asking the neighbors, another lady starts driving the neighborhood, so I go back inside to do a triple-take. And sure enough I find her....
asleep in the cupboard with the doors closed, and oblivious of her concerned mother. It was a bit of a scare, but funny since we found her.
Over Labor Day weekend Bruce had Friday and Monday off. We had planned to go to the beach on Friday but there was a chance for rain due to Hurricane Issac, so we postponed until Monday. On Friday we
Monday we loved the beach. It was a hot, sunny day. Bruce and I bought 2 body boards to ride the waves, but the beaches near Houston have small wave (because the ocean floor does not drop off for something like 8 miles off the coast). Without significant waves we didn't do much actual body boarding but enjoyed trying to catch the waves. It was great to have Kevin and Laurel with us. We took turns watching kids and going out on the body boards.
Hailey and Claire played in the sand, ran in and out of the water, and collected sea shells. Hailey became comfortable with the beach and did a little wandering while Bruce and I were out on the body boards. As Kevin and Laurel retold it, a man came asking if they were missing a little girl. Kevin and Laurel say no because they had accounted for all the children a few minutes before, did a double check after the questioning, and realized Hailey was gone. She didn't even know that she was four tents from home because she was "looking for Claire." McKayla also enjoyed the beach. I took the front pack (Baby Bjorn) and she rode in the front pack while I hold Hailey's hands (the waves would tip her over every time I released one hand) in the water. She also liked eating sand. Th to cool off. The water was warm and a refreshing way I applied sunscreen twice and still had a good burn the next day. The rest of the family also had some color.
The most dramatic event of the day was an animal attack: Kevin was coming in from body boarding, walking in the water a short distance from shore when he felt a pain in his heel. When he got out of the water his ankle was bleeding significantly. He was likely stung by a sting ray. He was in quite a bit of pain so we went home shortly thereafter.
Saturday the bishop called to see if he could come visit to get to know us better. He did stop by and we had a good chat. He also called me to be the Beehive Adviser, so I'll be working with the 12-13 year old girls. I'm excited. The bishop said he doesn't usually give calling until your address in in the ward (while we're living with Kevin and Laurel we're in the Katy 1st ward boundaries. When we move into our house we'll be in the Westlake Ward), but the Young Women Presidency was being reorganized and the president said that I was the person for the job. It's notable not only for the location issue, but also because the president and I had never met. It was fun to meet some of the girls Sunday and even more fun to chat with them at the activity on Wednesday.
Wednesday we made stuffed pumpkins from fabric. It inspired Laurel and I so the next day we made our own decorative stuffed fabric pumpkins.They kind of look like this. I loved them but then Bruce said he didn't love them so now I just like them.
Last week we drove by the house and the lawn had grown into a forest. We asked the home owner if we could mow the lawn and went to Home Depot to buy a lawn mower. A Toro Personal Pace lawn mower was on end of season sale and reconditioned, so further discounted. We bought our $400 mower for $200! So exciting. I just LOVE a good deal. Bruce mowed the front Monday night but we ran out of daylight so Tuesday I rode my bike to the house (4 miles) with the girls in the bike cart to mow the back. It was so long that it still looked terrible. Saturday we mowed again, edged, trimmed, pruned, and weeded. It looks pretty good.
Thursday afternoon Bruce got word that he would be traveling for work the week of Sunday, September 23- Friday, September 28. He leaves Sunday night and will return late Friday night... We were scheduled to close on the 28th. We couldn't do it as planned if Bruce is gone, so we started calling to find other options. The best option was to close the 21st so we check to see if the loan would be ready then. The loan officer said they can have the paperwork for the loan ready for Friday, September 21 so we'll be closing on our house on September 21, 2012!
It's weird. So far it's been "We're closing someday, just get comfortable and wait it out." But now it's, "We're closing in 7...6...5... days." There is so much to do. I need to get the kitchen table sanded, stained, and varnished. I need to repack some boxes. I need to... well, that might be all and it's not really that much, but it seems like it crept up on us.
Today we went to the train park. The kids enjoyed it, and I enjoyed a game or two of tag and hide-and-k. When we got home Hailey was tired and a little irritable. She and Claire were arguing so I told Hailey she could be happy downstairs or find somewhere else to cry. I was making sugared almonds, so when the crying stopped I forgot about the incident. About 15-30 min later Claire went looking for Hailey. I realized I hadn't seen or hear her recently and went looking. We couldn't find her. I checked the whole house. I checked outside, I got in the car and drove around the neighborhood. She's not known for running, but she does occasionally chase after Dad or Mom when we're leaving, or at the beach she got herself lost while looking for Claire. The biggest problem isn't the running, but the fact that she doesn't know that she's lost when she is lost. Anyway, I can't find her, I've looked every where I can think. Laurel's knocking doors asking the neighbors, another lady starts driving the neighborhood, so I go back inside to do a triple-take. And sure enough I find her....
asleep in the cupboard with the doors closed, and oblivious of her concerned mother. It was a bit of a scare, but funny since we found her.
Sunday, August 26, 2012
Real Job and Break-In
Last night someone broke into our car and stole our GPS and $40 cash from the coin tray. Jerks. We thought we locked the doors, but there is no sign of a forced entry so we must have forgotten. Some of you are thinking, "Well, if you don't lock your doors, you get what you deserve." and I see your point, but it doesn't change that feel violated. The timing was too bad, we're new to Houston and are still learning how to get around. Thanks a lot punk.
Well, beside the theft we've enjoyed the last few weeks in Houston. Bruce started work last week. He had a few days of introduction to Ernst & Young and spent last week doing auditor training- I guess they think that 4 years of college just wasn't enough. The training is painfully boring- poor guy.
Last week we celebrated our 4 year anniversary. Our anniversary is the same day as our neice and house-mate, Claire Sommerfeldt's birthday, so we celebrated her birthday (complete with Barbie cake and Barbie bookcase doll house) on our anniversary and went out a few nights later. We went to dinner at a Brazilian grill. Arriving was a little stressful for me. It was back in the GPS days, you know, before our GSP got ripped off, so I was following the GPS in downtown traffic and got forced off the freeway, was already late, etc. I picked Bruce up downtown and we went to dinner. Our tardy arrival was no issue. It was a good dinner- Tucanos style- though the atmosphere and salad bar were a little lacking.
Yesterday Bruce took the Regulation (Tax) CPA exam. Hopefully he'll have a passing score- find out in a few weeks. After his test, he and Hailey went on a daddy- daughter date for lunch and then to the gazebo by our new house to read the book from her kid's meal. She thought it was pretty rad.
We have started attending our new ward. I stayed with Hailey for most of nursery the first week and this week I didn't stay at all. She cried for a few min, but calmed down and enjoyed it overall.
This week the nursery leader called and Hailey will be doing preschool with her son and 3 other kids (5 kids total for the math-challenged). I'll teach once every 5th week. Should be really good for her. I'm excited to get to know some other mom's.
We also went to a play gathering at a splash pad with the ward. It was fun for the kids and will be a good way for me to meet some other people in the ward.
Well, beside the theft we've enjoyed the last few weeks in Houston. Bruce started work last week. He had a few days of introduction to Ernst & Young and spent last week doing auditor training- I guess they think that 4 years of college just wasn't enough. The training is painfully boring- poor guy.
Last week we celebrated our 4 year anniversary. Our anniversary is the same day as our neice and house-mate, Claire Sommerfeldt's birthday, so we celebrated her birthday (complete with Barbie cake and Barbie bookcase doll house) on our anniversary and went out a few nights later. We went to dinner at a Brazilian grill. Arriving was a little stressful for me. It was back in the GPS days, you know, before our GSP got ripped off, so I was following the GPS in downtown traffic and got forced off the freeway, was already late, etc. I picked Bruce up downtown and we went to dinner. Our tardy arrival was no issue. It was a good dinner- Tucanos style- though the atmosphere and salad bar were a little lacking.
Yesterday Bruce took the Regulation (Tax) CPA exam. Hopefully he'll have a passing score- find out in a few weeks. After his test, he and Hailey went on a daddy- daughter date for lunch and then to the gazebo by our new house to read the book from her kid's meal. She thought it was pretty rad.
We have started attending our new ward. I stayed with Hailey for most of nursery the first week and this week I didn't stay at all. She cried for a few min, but calmed down and enjoyed it overall.
This week the nursery leader called and Hailey will be doing preschool with her son and 3 other kids (5 kids total for the math-challenged). I'll teach once every 5th week. Should be really good for her. I'm excited to get to know some other mom's.
We also went to a play gathering at a splash pad with the ward. It was fun for the kids and will be a good way for me to meet some other people in the ward.
Thursday, August 23, 2012
The 2nd Look
Since we won the bid on the home Laurel and I have been planning home layout and decorations. Viewing the home was a little rushed- we only saw the home once before we made and an offer- so we didn't know all the exact dimensions, current room colors, or other details. Tonight we were able to walk through again while the inspector was finishing and we're beginning some real plans. Kevin and Laurel took measurements and matched palette colors to actual wall colors while Bruce and I talked to the inspector. Most of the house is creamy color with the master, one kid bed, and the half bath are a blue-grey. Updates to come.
The inspection went pretty well and the loan paperwork is moving forward. We plan to close on September 28, 2012.
The inspection went pretty well and the loan paperwork is moving forward. We plan to close on September 28, 2012.
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