CONDO BEFORE & AFTER PICTURES

My parents bought a condo in Mesa that we will be staying in and taking care of while they are on their mission.  Before moving in we tore out the carpet in the main area and back hallway and replaced it with tile.  We also painted the main room, kitchen, and all the bedrooms.  Plus, we replaced all the baseboards.

Before - entry

Before - Main

Before - Dining

Before - Back hallway/Laundry

Before - Kitchen

Before - Back hallway

Before - Bathroom

After - Main room/entry

After - Main room/Dining

After -Main room

After -Kitchen

After -Back hallway/Bathroom

After -Bathroom

THE LONGEST FAST TRIP EVER

We took a very long but very fast trip up to Utah.  Mike's grandma's family has a family reunion every year.  Unfortunately, this year his grandma was not able to go.  We wanted her to meet Alex, but we also wanted to go to the reunion.  As a result, on Thursday, we carivaned with Mike's family and drove 7 hours to Penguitch, UT and spent a few hours at the reunion to get caught up with family and have them all meet Alex.  Mike's great-aunt let us stay at her house in Beaver which was very gracious of her.  On Friday we drove 3 hours to Sandy, UT and spend the day with Mike's grandma, aunt, and uncle.  That night we stayed with my parents and helped them pack up their car.  We also helped Pam organize her condo and get ready for the movers.  Saturday morning we went back to Mike's grandma's to say good-bye and drove 6 hours to Las Vegas.  There we helped my parents move into their new apartment, saw the mission office where they will be working for the next year and a half, and helped organize.  Sunday we went to church with my parents, ate lunch and then drove 6 hours to home.  It was fun to see so many people, but it was also a lot of driving.  Alex was so good and hardly cried.  She was so excited whenever we stopped and she could get out of the car.  Several times when she would get fussy we would stick our arms back and grab her hand.  She would squeal and be so excited to see "someone."  Unfortunately, with all the driving around we only took one picture of us with my parents in Las Vegas.

A GLIMPSE OF ALEX AT 5 MONTHS

Alex is now 5 months old.  She can roll over from her front to back and back to front.  She plays with toys, laughs, talks, and sings.  She sits by herself (a little wobbly still) and stands up with help.  Alex is so much fun, and we are so glad to have her in our family.

Alex likes to try to fit as many fingers as she can at one time in her mouth

 

Sometimes when I put Alex down for a nap she does this for up to an hour before finally drifting off to sleep.  I guess it's better than crying for an hour.

 

 

It's never too early to teach your child essential soccer skills.

The "tripod" sitting position

4TH OF JULY

This year the 4th consisted of working on the condo and doing some of the finishing touches.  Luckily we were able to get away and go to Mike's parent's for a BBQ and fireworks.  Alex loved looking at the fire and different colored sparkles but hated any popping or screaming.  I'd say she did pretty well for her first time.  I'm assuming that since she has pyro parents that it won't be long before she is running toward the fireworks instead of hiding away from them.