The Tornado

Ever since we finished the basement the dynamic in our house has changed, let me illustrate.

 This is the tornado that hits the basement everyday.

 And this is how clean our living room stays. I think I'm in love! 

I wish I could claim credit for how beautiful our living room looks, but I can't! My friend Amber has been AMAZING! We went estate selling together and then to Tuesday Morning's afterward and this is how it has come together! The couches we got for $500 together and they are brand new!

The light fixtures, $80 for the pair. The top one hangs over the front door and the other one is the main light for the room. Aren't they beautiful? There are still a few things we need for the room, but they will come in time. I LOVE how it has come together!

Christmas....finally

 Christmas was a good and busy one this year with family, and, thankfully, a rather quiet one with my calling. Festivities began on the 18th with lunch at my dad's. The 19th was dinner and a white elephant exchange with Scott's family. Christmas morning was just us and the kids to open presents and Scott's mom and his brother's little family for breakfast.

 As soon as this slinky came out Indie had no desire for opening any more presents.

 And of course Park and Annicka really enjoyed themselves.

 

 All the kids in their new Christmas PJs. And of course Indie is pant-less. I can't seem to keep pants on this kid to save my life.

Christmas day my mom and step-dad got into town and we had a big sleep over in our basement with all of my siblings. What fun for the cousins!

Snowman

 The Tuesday before Christmas we had a huge storm that dropped about 8 heavy inches. Of course it had mostly gone by Christmas, but that day we made a giant snowman. That's right, the kids and I, no Scott involved made this huge snowman. Don't ask me how we got the middle up, I must be Wonder Woman or something. I love his 10 foot arm span.

Christmas is in the air...

 The last few weeks have been busy and fun! Here are the kids at the ward Christmas party with Santa. We were thrilled when Park wanted to actually sit on his lap. Last year he wouldn't even think about it. Indie...well, let's just say we didn't even try with Indie.

 This last Monday we had a combined family home evening with our next door neighbors making "gingerbread" houses with graham crackers.

 This is one of our neighbor boys, Sam. I just had to put this one up, it was one of the best pictures I took that night.

 And then the other day it was pretty warm outside, and being the terrible parents we are, we let Indie out into the backyard while Scott was grilling up some steaks. That's right, he is shoeless AND coatless. Scott came in the house for a few minutes and when he came back out Indie had settled himself into the snow and was shivering and eating to his heart's content. Let me just say, while this was happening I was out doing some of my Relief Society president responsibilities. To be fair I was the one who let Indie out, but Scott was in charge of watching him after I left.

It is finished.

 Our basement is officially finished! We got new carpet in yesterday and we even decided to replace the carpet and paint upstairs as well! We've been working hard over the last several months and we are thrilled with the outcome. Here are some of the before pictures:

 And the after! We are working on getting new furniture for the living room upstairs and once that is all decorated in a few months I will post those pictures.

The carpet is a chocolate brown flecked with tan and it is amazingly plush and comfy on the feet! A far cry from the cheap carpet the builders put in. We have an additional three bedrooms, a bathroom and this ginormous family room. We have lots of plans for this room including surround sound and a pool/ping pong table...but that is a little down the road for now. Right now the most exciting thing for me is that ALL of the toys are now in the basement! I couldn't be happier!

Happy Birthday, Park!

 For Park's birthday we went bowling as a family!

 The kids loved it!

 And even Indie got in on the action.

 Park got "Toy Story 3" and some airplanes.

 And since Park never eats his cakes we decided to go with cookies this year!

Happy Birthday, Park! You are always making us laugh and I love your zest for life! Everything becomes a game and joke when you are around! We love you!

Happy Birthday, Annicka!

 This year for Annicka's birthday we kept it pretty low-key. I kind of like it that way. It's so much less stressful. As a family we went to Jumpin' Jack's in Springville. The kids had a blast!

 We even splurged on a quarter ride because it was her birthday!

 Indie was NOT happy when it stopped...this is why we don't do the quarter rides normally.

 Annicka got a new bike! She's totally outgrown the old one. Now Park gets to ride that one.

Happy sixth birthday, Annicka! We sure love you!