Remodeling Part 1 - Tile

 I have wanted new carpet for years.  Our old carpet is dirty, worn out, and just awful.  But, if you get new carpet you have to do a lot of other things, so we kept putting it off.  Finally this fall, after Dan worked overtime all summer, we have enough saved up that we can do it.  I am really excited!  This is my Christmas present this year (and birthday, and Valentines, and Mother's Day...)

Here are a few before/after pictures of the tile.  We originally had vinyl floors in the entryway and bathrooms.  We had that torn out and put in tile.  We also expanded the entryway slightly so I can put a bench there for taking off shoes.

Original vinyl entryway.

Tile in progress.

 

Tile up close.

Tile is done - old carpet still here.



The main bathroom, also vinyl, wasn't bad, but there was water damage in the corners near the bathtub, so it had to be replaced. 

 

Main bath before.



Main bath in progress.

Main bath tile done.



Master Bath before.

Master Bath during.

Master Bath - tile done.

Dan got to spend the next Saturday learning how to install toilets.  After 4 trips to Lowes, he got it done. 

This week we had the old carpet taken out.  Baseboards are replacing all the carpet coving, and Friday we are getting new carpet.  We have learned how to "rough it" with the floors down to bare wood for a few days.  I have more pictures, but haven't uploaded them.  We packed up almost everything for the carpet tear-out and I don't know where the cable is to upload my photos.  So, once I find the cable I will put on more pictures.  Later in November the painter is coming, and in December I am getting my custom built bookcase that will fit and hide my piano music and not look like some boring bookshelf you can get anywhere.  I am way excited!

Bethany's 11th Birthday

 My, how time flies.  Cute little Bethany is not so little anymore.  She is nearly as tall as me.  She wears the same shoe size as me.  On October 18th Bethany turned 11 years old.  She is growing up to be such a great young lady.  She has really grown a lot in the last year - she went through 4 pants sizes during 4th grade alone!  We love having Bethany in our family.  I love having a daughter old enough to help me with Violet once in a while.  Bethany will be a good babysitter.  If only Violet wasn't such a momma's girl.

Bethany Age 11

She wanted "Girl Legos"

 Here's a few shots from the past:

Age 1 month



Bathtime

18 months



Trick-or-Treat!

Dancing with Daddy

Check out our ugly couches! 

At the Zoo

Autumn Glow Party

 My mom invited us to the senior center's Halloween party (to show off her grandkids of course).  We went a couple years ago and it was fun, so we decided to go again.  It happened to fall on Bethany's birthday, but we didn't have any school (UEA) so it worked out.  They had some fun crafts, games, and even a costume contest, which Jorgen won!  He won a $15 gift certificate to Cold Stone - yum!

I realized that I didn't get a single picture of Grandma.  Ooops, sorry mom!  We still had fun.

Halloween Recital #1

 My kids take piano lessons from another teacher, to preserve harmony at home.  They had a Halloween recital on October 16th and got to wear their costumes.  Andrew was Darth Vader and Bethany was Hermione Granger.  They both played okay but not great.  We are having issues with not practicing...

But anyways, it was a fun recital, and it's nice to not be in charge for a change.

It's hard to tell, but he has his Darth Vader mask on - I wonder if he can even see!

Local law enforcement even showed up.

This picture cracks me up every time I see it.

Dan's costume is part of Jorgen's costume, so he was a good sport and wore it.  He was the only adult in costume.

Violet was fussy until we found some fringe on the flag.  That kept her entertained for a long time.

Fall Leaves

 October 14 - We wanted to go see some fall leaves, so last Sunday afternoon we packed a picnic and drove up to Bountiful.  We stopped at the temple first, and walked around.  The kids were excited to see where our family started (Dan and I were married here in 1998).  I remember when this temple was built - I was in high school.

Then we drove over to Mueller Park, which is just south-east of the temple.  Everyone else in the county must have had the same idea, because it was very crowded with people all dressed up for family photos.  I didn't realize you had to pay to get into the park, and we left our checkbook home, and they didn't take credit cards.  But we found a little trail that started before the kiosk to pay, and were able to walk around and see some beautiful colors.  Andrew took a few photos to enter into the Reflections contest while we were there.  The first 6 photos following are his shots.