Busy Saturday

We woke up this morning to an already hot house!  The temperatures were forecast to be in the low 100's for the weekend and the entire next week.  We own a generator, but we'd loaned it out so we couldn't plug anything in or turn anything on.  We were suppose to get it back today, but didn't know when it would show up.  I didn't dare open my fridge so we went out for breakfast, to somewhere with air conditioning.  We came home and waited for our generator, got our fridge and freezer going and left for a baptism and luncheon.   Later that evening we went to a BBQ and then had to come home and face the heat.  It was unbearable in our house.  Luckily, we had an empty rental only 5 blocks away.  The electricity was turned on.  We thought we were going to have tenants moving in that weekend, but it hadn't worked out -so it was available.  There was no furniture or anything - but it had power and a good A/C unit.  We loaded up some mattresses and a few belongings and went to our new semi-home. 

 The house on the right is ours.  The tree lost a large branch that took out our power and half of the neighbor's power.   It's hard to see but there is a cord that runs from the back of our house to the neighbors roof and then under the tree branch - it's suppose to be attached to our house, right at the point of the our roof.

 View of the wire from our upstairs window.  The cable is still good, but the wire is torn apart (and no longer attached to our house).

Because it's just 2 houses and not a whole neighborhood, we are very low on the priority list.  

Showered and ready for bed with daddy's van full of bedding.  Headed for the rental house.

The Storm

Tonight we had a huge wind storm blow across the whole state.  It knocked the power out at nearly 900,000 address' in VA and a little bit of North Carolina.  Ours was among them.  Our neighborhood was not hit very hard, but our neighbor's tree was!  The storm and the ensuing commotion woke up everyone except Lilah.  Here they are on our front porch.  The flash from my camera was too bright for them. 

Park

At the park with our park group friends from church! 

Harvest

My days take from my garden.  I really want a bigger garden!  So excited to expand it next year!

Hair Cuts

On Saturday evening I trimmed Madeline's and Calvin's hair and I chopped Anna Elise's and Lilah's hair.

We started growing out Lilah's bangs last fall.  They got clear down passed her eyes in October and Madeline chopped them off for her - they were about a half inch long.  I was not happy.  We have finally got them longer again - so I trimmed the rest of her hair shorter and gave her a little A-line.  It will be so cute when her bangs finally catch up. 

Anna Elise came to me and asked to have her hair cut.  She was really upset when I first cut it (sobbing, wailing, flailing), but LOVES it now (whew).

First Week of Summer

This has been our first week of summer break and it's been a bit crazy, as to be expected.   It's an adjustment for the older kids, the younger kids, and for me to have our schedules and lives changed.  It's fun to have them home, but it's different.  We are also watching one of Calvin's friends, J, for the summer and that is another adjustment as well! 

We've had a great time swimming, playing, eating, going to the park, and hanging out.  We had less fun with bee stings (Me, Anna Elise, Madeline, and J), crazy weather, some fighting, and mom having to work a lot this week. 

We look forward to next week being even better!

We had a surprise hail storm  on Friday afternoon

Super Dad!

For Father's Day Mike got up and had breakfast with us (homemade granola).  The kids gave him his presents and then he went back to bed and slept all morning.  My gift for Mike came after church - I bought him some filet mignot and we had a big dinner with steak, sweet potato casserole, fresh green beans, french bread, and jello.  We had lemon bars for dessert.  We are grateful for such a great dad!

Wall Patch

Mike started fixing the hole in our wall from our old couch.  He cut the jagged hole out and got some new sheet rock in.  We just need to mud and tape it as well as touch up all the scrapes and dents.  

Last Day of School

Finally - school is out.  I think we get out later then anybody else!  The kids got out early and we spend our day Father's Day shopping, making Rice Krispy Treats, swimming, and enjoying the feeling of freedom!

The kids spelled out LAST DAY with chocolate chips on their purple Rice Krispy treats

College Days

A college roommate and her family were in Virginia on vacation.  We met at a park and the kids played while the Dads babysat and we visited for a few hours.  I had a great time catching up and the kids had fun playing. 

 Her husband and kids showed my kids how look for a Geocache - they loved it and want to go again!

Former BYU roommates!

It's a Wrap

Mike got his 'mini-van' wrapped.  Mike has a Ford Transit that he drives for work.  The kids call it a mini-van (which is funny, he doesn't like mini-vans and doesn't want me to drive one).  He finally got it wrapped (decals of our business, number, picture on the back).  Here are our two NHance 'vans'.

New Couch

We got our new couch today!  We ordered it 3 weeks ago and it finally came in.  My excitement dimmed a bit when Mike had to make two trips to get it here and then we couldn't get the old couch down the stairs.  We ended up taking the stair railing off, the stairs door, the front door and we still
tore a huge hole in the wall while forcing the couch down the stairs.  I don't know why I didn't realize it would be so difficult considering how hard it was to get it up the stairs (see that post here).  Getting the two pieces of our new couch up wasn't quite as bad.  Despite our awful morning getting everything moved, I love our new couch!  We didn't put the feet on it, so it's low enough that the kids can get on and off without any problems and no more toys/junk/garbage can be shoved under the couch!  We love the extra seating - the whole family fits with room to spare!

The Beach

On Friday we went to the beach!  The kids went to their field day at school while Mike and I did a few things in the morning and then at lunch time we pulled the kids out of school and headed for the coast.  We had a great time playing in the sand and the waves.  Celeste thought the waves were hilarious.  The high was mid eighties - perfect!  The drive back always seems to take forever and we always get home so late - but it's worth it!

Celeste Reading

Celeste stretched out to read the Ensign.  Right before we could snap a picture she sat up and finished her reading like this.  She enjoys turning the pages in books.

Toenails

Anna Elise wanted to paint my toenails and I told her she could do whatever she wanted.  I think I like the glitter!

Haircut

I know everyone probably saw this on Facebook already - but I want to get the pictures on the blog.  So you get to see them again!  I went in thinking I might get it cut shorter but really wasn't sure what I wanted and this is the haircut that my stylist suggested.  It's a bit sassier then usual for me and a lot shorter then I intended, but I LOVE it!  I do!  Mike doesn't  - but I'm adjusting to having him not like 

 my hair ;).

  

 

Purse?

Celeste has always loved the silverware basket in the dishwasher.  Now that she is walking (everywhere) she likes to carry it with her.  I told the kids it's her purse!

Blast from the Past

Madeline requested a side pony-tail today for church.  I tried to talk her into a side ponytail that was low and behind her ear - those are so cute!  But no, she wanted one high up on the side of her head.  What could I say?  I have memories of wearing a high side ponytail when I was a kid.  So we gave it a try.  She was so happy!  Madeline will probably always have her own style and she is just easing me into it.