July Hodgepodge

I had another full circle parenting moment a few weeks ago when Esme came home with a folded paper "fortune teller."

I had a friend traveling through Nebraska that brought me back a couple Runza sandwiches.  We also had a church park night at East Medicine Lake and Esme climbed on the dragon head.

Grandpa added some cushions to the back of the twister to make room for all the minor grandchildren.

I finally pulled the trigger on a walking pad (under desk treadmill) for my home office and have been slowly increasing my stamina.  We had a woodworking class at church at the end of the month.  Esme chose the bird house kit, but ended up turning it in to a toy she can use with her Bluey characters.

Esme has been asking about gymnastics for a while and we did a trial class at a local gym.  She really enjoyed it and we signed her up for the fall session.

Jimmy took Esme out for a morning showing of Despicable Me 4.

We closed out the month helping our friend Rick haul anew TV home with our van.

Just two dudes admiring some technology.

First Floor Facelift: More Progress

 I was able to get a lot done over the long holiday weekend on my door and trim project.  I borrowed some more saw horses and was able to finish 4 doors at once.

I ordered the last three and was able to finish those pretty quickly as well.

My parents came over and my dad help notch out the frame on the laundry room closet door to fit around the stair framing.

I was able to get a day to myself on the 19th while Jimmy was working and the kids were with my parents to get a bunch of trim done.

The living room finally got a fresh coat of satin paint in basically the same color.  It looks so clean!

I could do most of the trim by myself, but did enlist Jimmy's help for the long pieces on this window.

I set up a station in the front so I didn't have to walk back and forth to the garage.

It looks pretty great all put back together.   I also ended up trimming and painting the shelf behind the couch so it blends in more.

The laundry room was the next space I attacked.  There was a lot more to paint around with the cabinet and washer and dryer hook ups.  Georgia Peach is the color we went with and it just makes me happy.

This also allowed me to install the last of the doors, a pocket door.  This ended up being easier than I had feared.  The trim was another story, but I am living with it.

There is still trim to finish in our room, Parker's room, and the laundry room, but I am feeling optimistic it will be done by September.

Nana's Birthday Pool Party and Lunch with Friends

We gathered on Saturday to celebrate Nana's birthday.  We were waiting and waiting for the rain to stop and it just kept redeveloping.  It did finally clear up and we were able to enjoy some time outside on the swing set and bike and scooter rides.

It finally cleared up and we were able to take a dip in the pool.

We had Papa Murphy's pizza and fruit for dinner and I personalized the boys' nameplates on their bikes.

Lastly, Jimmy made a banana cream pie trifle (that's what I am calling it at least) for dessert.

Parker has been doing such a great job sitting still in church recently that I had to document it.  We has some friends over lunch after and the conversation was so good I only got a picture of Esme entertaining Asher.

The 4th of July and Other "Fun"

We continued our Pixar tradition Tuesday night going to see "Inside Out 2."  Jayden tagged along again and Esme joined us as well.  It's fun having a kid interested in these movies now too. We had dinner at Grandpa and Nana's before heading out.

Jimmy picked up some fireworks and we decided to celebrate on the 3rd since it was expected to rain all day on the fourth.

Parker spent some of it in the house watching from the window, but did join us to light a few.

Fun was in quotations for this moment.  I got to have a diagnostic mammogram on Tuesday after finding something questionable recently.  Good news, there is nothing to be concerned about, but I had a few days of spiraling in to worst case scenarios.  I am thankful they were able to get me in quick.

Wednesday night was much more relaxed as we spent time at French Lake Park with church.

Esme even got to go tubing while Parker spent most of the evening swimming.