An Addition to the Family

The kids begged and pleaded, and I finally gave in.  This sweet little kitten is now a fixture at our house. We haven't had a family pet since our awesome dog, Andrew, died several years ago.

Back then Dallin looked like this . . .




Now he looks like this, so I guess it was about time.

The boys named her Caramel and they are loving having a pet again.

Eleven

My oldest just turned 11.  The night before his birthday I was thinking about  how I was feeling that same night eleven years ago.  I knew I would be having a baby the next day, and I had no idea what to expect.  I was excited, but also super nervous and scared.  As I thought about that night and the weeks that followed as I took care of my first little newborn and started learning how to be a mother, I was really glad that all of that was in the past, but then I looked at that big old eleven-year-old of mine and I wished that we could go back to that night eleven years ago, and do it all again.  Dallin was such a cute baby and such a fun little boy.  He has been so fun to have in our family and it is all going way, way, way too fast.  It breaks my heart to think that I am more than half-way done raising him, but at the same time, I am so pleased with how great he is turning out.  He really is an exceptional young person.

Dallin has so much going for him.  He is smart, athletic, and likable.  But what I love most about Dallin is what a good boy he is.  He tries very hard to do what is right.  He does what Jeremy and I ask of him without whining or complaining, and he is a great big brother who is always looking out for his little brothers.  We are very lucky to have him in our family!!

He had a fun birthday, complete with his traditional breakfast out with mom and dad.  His choice of dinner, birthday cake, and some fun presents.  He especially loved this new mountain bike we gave him.  He is loving riding to school and back and riding around the neighborhood and some of the dirt trails with his friends and (as you can see in this picture) perfecting his "no hands" technique.

Happy birthday Dal!  We love you!!

House Progress

These are the latest pictures of the house. . .

Yesterday most of the siding went up.

Several of the men from our ward came over and helped Jeremy with it.  They offered to help and we are soooo grateful, since this would have taken Jeremy several weeks of working after school.  It was awesome seeing it go up in one day.  Many hands really do make light work.

A few pictures of the progress inside.  Most of the sheetrock is up.  Next comes the long process of tape and texture.  After that things should speed up considerably.  This is a view from the kitchen into the family room.

This view is from the family room into the kitchen.

This is a peek down the boys' hall.

While the siding went up, the boys played with the neighborhood kids in the irrigation across the street.

They had a ball.

We are so grateful for this neighborhood full of good people.

A Conversation with Tad

Tad:  Mom, I thought of a new game we should play.

Tonia:  Oh really?  What is it?

Tad:  It is called "Find my Kindle."

First Day of School

The boys started school today.  They were excited to get back to see all their friends, so they would barely stand still for a minute for me to snap some pictures before we left.  These pictures aren't the best, it was super bright outside and my boys weren't cooperating while I figured out the best place and setting to get the exposure right, but at least I documented them leaving on their first day.

Dallin is in 5th grade this year.  His teacher is Mrs. Reidhead.  She took Jeremy's place when he left teaching for administration, so Dallin is in his dad's old classroom.  I remember when I used to go visit Jeremy's classroom when he was teaching there and all his students seemed so big.  I can't believe that now Dallin is one of those big 5th graders.

Thomas is in 4th grade.  That means he moved up to the Intermediate School.  His teacher is Mrs. Collett.  She has been a 4th grade teacher there for a long time, so I think Thomas will have a good year in her class. Plus, most of his friends are in that class with him, so he is happy.

Jack is in 2nd grade.  His teacher is Mrs. Whittle.  She is in our ward, and her son is one of Thomas's best friends, so we know she is super nice and a really great teacher.  He is so excited to be back in school.

Drake started kindergarten.  He is so beyond ready, but I am having a hard time letting him go.  I am running out of kids that stay home with me.  I wish time would slow down a little.

Have a great year guys!!!

Utah Trip and House Progress

The boys and I are back from our trip to Utah.  It was so nice to have a break from our little apartment and to spend some time with my family.  Unfortunately, I did not pull out the camera very often on this trip, so I don't have many pictures to share, but here are a few . . .

We took the boys out to see the new Payson temple.  It was beautiful, of course.

We went to a family reunion and spent the first day at Bear Lake.  The boys LOVED it!!

We took the boys up to Salt Lake City on Frontrunner.  It was fun.

We visited Temple Square and City Creek and we had lunch.  It was a good day.

We did a lot of other fun things too.  Lots of visiting, and playing with cousins; swimming at Scera Pool; and shopping.  The boys went with Grandpa Teichert out to the Elberta Dairy, and Thomas went with Grandpa to see a buffalo ranch near Heber City.  It was a good trip and we all had a hard time saying goodbye to the family and to Utah, but we were excited to see Jeremy again and to check out the progress on the new house.  He worked hard while we were gone and this is the sight that awaited us when we got back.

He made a ton of progress and we are excited to see it finally coming along.

This is the only picture I took inside because it is quite a mess with all the electrical, plumbing, and HVAC work that had been done while we were gone, but I had to share the fireplace that has been framed up.  I think it is going to be great!!

The kids start school in less than two weeks, which means Jeremy is back working at the school now, so progress on the house will probably slow down a bit, but I can finally start picturing us living in this house someday.  I can't wait!!

House Progress

I am just posting a few pictures of recent progress on the house.

We have trusses and some sheeting.  We are obviously still waiting on the trusses that will form the roof peak and the trusses behind the front gable.

This is a picture from one side of the house that shows some of the back as well.

This is a picture from the kitchen area of the house giving you a peek into the family room and its vaulted ceiling.  It should be pretty.

Finally, a picture from the front.  It is starting to look like a house!!

It will be a few weeks before there are any more updates on the blog.  The boys and I are heading up to Utah to take a break from our little apartment and, most importantly, spend some time with my family.  We are so excited!!  Jeremy, has to stay here and keep the work going on the house.  We will be excited to see the progress when we get back.