I AM APX!

Do you want to know what i call peace of mind as a mother of 3 boys? Alarms, chimes, dings at the sound of every door and window opening. Thanks to our local APX dealer and the very best installation team, we are now proud owners of this beautiful sign and the system that goes with it. Seriously, peace of mind! Ah, thanks. Thanks Darin and Foster. (I am apx. Hehe.)

To infinity and beyond!

Both Ethan and Sam are in cub scouts so when the time comes for space derby or pinewood derby we have twice the fun. Right?!? Well we do. On our first time of having space derby when Ethan had just started scouts we didn't know that we needed to have the rocket done.....i know we were kind of slow. We thought they were doing it with the boys during the week. So Ethan had the award for "O natural" since it was only shaped and glued, not painted or nothin. Anyhow we knew better this time and the boys each designed and carved their own. We did "help" with the painting since we thought we had one more week before pack meeting. (those pack meetings just sneak up on you!) Ethan choose a camo paint style and called his rocket "Navy." Yes, I know, we tried to tell him that camo went with Army, but he had it all figured out so we didn't talk him out of it completely. Sam went with the narcissistic approach and had it all painted black with the star and his initials on the side, but he did call it "Dark Star." Ryan was sorely disappointed when Sis. Butler dropped off the kits a month ago and didn't leave one for him. He kept asking me "Mom, where's sis. cox?" I said "sis. Butler dropped them off, not sis. Cox." Ryan still persisted "Mom, where's sis. Cox. I need to tell her she didn't give me one." I told him when he was 8 he would get to do one. Ryan being the smart boy he is, quickly said "Well, mom, Ethan isn't 8." I said no, but he is in cub scouts still so he gets one too. So Ryan and I sat on the sidelines and cheered. It was still fun. Ethan's first try shot right off the rig he had wound it so tight. Navy wanted to take flight for sure! To infinity and beyond! Sam took two tries at it, and the second was better than the first. Both boys loved every minute of it, and can't wait till the next derby!

Progress

The boys love the back yard already. they've collected lots of rocks and sticks for their enjoyment.

laundry room

Kitchen

we even have a driveway and sidewalk!!! YEAH!!!

Progress continues to move forward on the house. We hadn't been to the house for a week so when we got back into town Sunday we went right out to the house. I didn't know they would have the cabinets in so when we walked in and saw them i was in awe. I think a big part of it was that i hadn't wrapped my mind around how it was all going to look. I love the cabinets. Tomorrow we are going to be going out to the house again and they delivered some of the light fixtures Monday so I'll be posting more pictures in the next day or so. Hooray for us. One step (or more) closer. if anyone is interested in a tour, we don't mind going out.

Lucky us!

This last week was spring break for the kids. With my job over the last few months and Blake's schedule up in the busier setting we decided we needed to make it a good break for all of us. In the fall when we went to Disneyland with the Young family we had already decided we'd buy the season passes and go back with Blake when he had to do the trips to California (which were set for Feb. and April). But in December they changed that part of his job and the traveling stopped (no complaints here). Alas we had figured that Blake would have at least 2 trips to California before the passes expired and thought we'd be good to go. And if nothing else we'd go during spring break when all of Utah goes to California. That way the passes more than paid for themselves and were totally worth it. Like i said with both Blake and i doing what seemed like full time juggling with work, pta, callings, life, building, etc. we felt like it would be a much needed break. And that, it was! And like any much needed break it was too short, but still very fun. Between having the passes and Blake's points from travelings last year we were able to go at a fraction of the cost of our trip back in the fall. So i guess the traveling did/does have the perks from time to time.

Disneyland was busier because all of Utah does truly go to California in the same week. We ran into the secretary from the school where the boys go and her daughters that are aides at the school as well. Ran into Todd Stevenson after our first day at the park in the middle of Anaheim at a food 4 less. We ran into one of Blake's friends from work who was there with his four daughters ranging in age from 11-4. The boys especially like this because they had some other kids to play with. It was really funny to watch. We meet up with them for lunch one day and just before meeting up with them i drilled the boys about using their manners and being kind etc. Anything a good mother would do. Much to my surprise when we sat down Ethan went over to the oldest girl, Bailey, and pulled out a chair for her and then slid it in for her as well. (Talk about melt your heart, cute. AND make me proud at the same time.)

For the last few years whenever we've gone to Disneyland "It's a Small World" has been closed for whatever reason. Blake and i had figured the last time we had been on it was when we were 7ish and 10ish. So when we found out it was going to be open we wanted to be sure to get on that one. When we made our way over to the ride (not first thing after the park opened, but just after we got there) the line wasn't all that long so we thought great, lets go. We waited maybe 10 minutes and while in line Ryan sang this song. For the rest of our time there at Disneyland for the couple of days the line for "small wo-ld" was forever long--even for Disneyland. We were really glad we got on when we did.

Blake got to go on all the "big" rides with Ethan and Sam, while Ryan and I would go on the "just right" rides for Ryan. It worked out for all of us. One of the rides that we swiched was Space mountain. One of Sam's favorites. The boys had just finished getting soaking wet at the bug's life area when our "fast passes" came up so when we got over to get in line inside the building with the cool air on, both boys were pretty cold. They went on it with Blake first and then because we had the passes they were able to come with me a second time. As we got into the car to go on the ride, the ride came to the point where it turns to go up and start going up. But instead of turning right, we turned left. For a second i thought hmmm, I've never gone on this path before and hey wait, i didn't even think there was a second path. And at that same moment the ride "character" staff person came and said ok, if you will climb out and go up this hall you can get into another cart. Ok, that's never happened before. So as Sam, Ethan, and I are getting out and the guy is helping the other riders out of their cars, the ride went into a "temporary holding pattern". Meaning minor technical difficulties and will resume after. Small thing to some but to others a definite deterrent to a roller coaster ride. None the less we had by passed the 2 hour wait and i really figured they wouldn't send us on the ride with out it being truly ok, so we waited and waited for about 10-15-20 minutes. In the mean time Sam and Ethan were freezing. We were about to walk out and see if we could get a fast pass for later when they gave the clearance. We were the 3rd car to go after the "pause" and part way through the ride the music stopped, so Sam and I made up our own. Ask Sam about it some time, he can doodle-loo the space mountain theme music for you. It defiantly added to the memory. And miraculously we walked out of the park Friday night only having had to go on teacups ONCE in 3 days! Last fall we went on teacups too many times to count.
California was great. Perfect weather, great time, no rush, just enjoyed every moment. Went to the beach on Saturday, got some sun, enjoyed the water, sand, surf. the kind of relaxing that goes with the beach is the best. that part was a little rushed since we had to check out of our hotel, but it was still really nice. But now that we are home and reality is back we will savor the time we took to go one last time for the next few years. we told the boys we'd probably not go for 5 years or more, so they are already figuring out how old they will be when we go. Funny boys. We do feel pretty blessed that the timing and various factors the played into this lined up just so, so that we could take this trip. Mandy (my sister) said we were a pretty lucky family. I have to totally agree. We are lucky!

Rock on!

Stucco and rocks make a big difference.
boys bathroom

our shower

the kitchen floor is in

Outside is almost complete. they started to clear the area for the driveway and sidewalk. and we'll get started on the landscaping shortly. anyone interested in playing in the dirt and rocks with us is more than welcome to come and "play."

At the request of many.

A little while ago we made a change to the fireplace. this is the insert we are doing now, instead of the other "victorian" one. we are still doing the mantel that is posted on the previous post. we are happy with the change: happy that it's not an issue any more, happy that we have good people to work with, and happy that in the end we still will have a fireplace to enjoy.Here are a few more pics of the house. not much to be said, cept they have added trim and they are starting to paint, and they are getting ready to put stucco and rock up. yeah rocks! we have picked all the flooring. i got to see the large roll of carpet that is going to be in most of the house and it made me giggle with excitement. we've picked out all the light fixtures, just waiting on final quotes on that, but it's done (whew!). we're working on the appliances now, and i never thought i'd get soo excited about a washer and dryer. (i might need to be reminded of this later when i have to use them constantly because we have such a great area for boys.....dirt and rocks, and lots of it!) sorry it's been so long between posts, but i didn't think every one would get as excited about the house at each phase, but because so many have requested more pictures i shall oblige willingly. we will be going out to the house again this week, and i'll be sure to take more pictures again. hopefully we can get a picture of our view from out master bedroom window. they've had plastic on the windows because of the stucco on the outside and drywall and now painting on the inside. but until i get that picture you will have to dream of what it looks like. cause it is b-e-utiful. oh and have i mentioned how very very very blessed i feel?

pre-stucco layer is on but it's not the stucco yet--just so you get the idea

stairs to the upper floor

front door/porch--before the first layer of mesh and stucco stuff

master closet

dinning room window

Sheet Rockin'

Sheet rocking is almost done.

Just a quick picture update. They are finishing the taping and mudding of the sheet rocking. This is going super fast. We will have to pick paint this week.