New Room

So we started this project back in August, and it's still not quite done. But the major items are in place, so I thought I'd post pictures. We turned our front living room into a bedroom. They had to take the 8' wall and extend it to the ceiling, then add a second wall and a door.

Here is the pocket door--right behind it is the front entry, with the front door to the left.

This is one of my favorite parts of the room. We got the chaise lounge and bookshelves from Ikea. Loving them!

This is the wall where the piano was--it was only 8' and you could see over it into the family room. That is now closed off.

And this photo was taken through the pocket doors--I was standing in the entry. We made the headboard and bought the lights from someone for $20.

The huge benefits of this change is that the boys have their own rooms. Adam LOVES his new room--especially since we moved the queen bed from downstairs, and it's the most comfortable bed in the world.

Jacob has inherited Adam's old room, complete with twin bed and crib. He still sleeps in the crib, but has a big bed to move into soon.

And we sleep in the new room.

*$%# Flies!

I don't know why, but this fall the flies have been AWFUL! Seriously, I have found 4-5 hovering around my front door just waiting to come in. I'll go on killing sprees and get 8-10 flies at a time. I hate them!

And really, if they would leave me alone, I wouldn't care so much. But they keep dive bombing my head and landing on my hand. I often follow a "live and let live" philosophy, but these flies won't leave me alone!

So here's a cute fly story involving Jacob. A little background--Jacob now enjoys watching TV shows like Thomas the Tank Engine, Dora, and Wonder Pets.

So the other day I killed a fly and Jacob got very distressed. I tried to figure out the problem, and finally did. He kept saying "Bee smack. Bee smack." and then he would cry and be sad. Jacob thinks flies are bees. And recently he watched an episode of Wonder Pets where they saved the bees.

So here I was, killing the poor bees that the Wonder Pets had worked so hard to save. I'm such a mean mom.

I'm still going to carry the flyswatter everywhere I go.

While you were blogging . . .

I've decided that "Mommy Blogger" is an oxymoron. Here's a trail of trouble left by Jacob.

Adam, smile!

Hey Adam. . . smile!

Nevermind.

O Canada! (part 5)

The hotel where we stayed had this huge stuffed bear, which the boys loved. 

On the way home we were able to see Mary and Jonathan's new home, and we got to visit with Craig and Julie, and Will. We stayed in Helena MT both on the way up and back, and as always, the trip home seemed faster than the trip there.

Overall, it was great and we appreciate those who planned it and helped make it possible for us!

O Canada! (part 4)

 Lake Victoria

We took a trip to Lake Victoria, and it was just beautiful. If you look closely, there are people out in canoes. It was a bit windy (and pricey) so we just enjoyed the view. The boys all got their feet wet.

Grandma Irene and Aunt Christie

Beautiful hotel resort at Lake Victoria. 

After visiting these national parks, I really wish that the US would do something similar. Inside the park (which you have to pay to enter) there are stores, resorts, restaurants, cafes, etc. It seems very well taken care of--not trampled on or abused. They have a great mix of enjoying nature in comfort. Don't get me wrong, camping has it's place, but it's just so nice to have a warm bed and a hot meal, and fun stuff to do!

O Canada! (part 3)

Well, our Canada trip nearly ended at this point because Adam was so sick. When we were ready to take him to the emergency room, Sam gave him a blessing. Unbeknownst to us, the entire family was at that time gathered together, praying for Adam. Shortly afterwards Adam fell asleep and slept all night long (a first in many days!). He woke up the next morning feeling MUCH better, and steadily improved over the next 12 hours until he was back to his normal self.

 So instead of going home, we continued our trip to Banff, about 90 minutes away in the Canadian Rockies. Above is Adam wearing his Davy Crockett cap--the one Grandma Irene bought to donate to the silent auction fundraiser, then bid on and paid for it twice so Adam could have it. She also arranged the most wonderful hotel--it was really like a timeshare with a full kitchen, two baths, and two bedrooms.

Here we are on the gondola ride. Jacob flipped quickly between "Weeee!" and being very nervous.

Once we got to the top of the gondola, there was a walkway to go even farther up. Adam ran up with Grandpa Angus in record time!

We all got the warmest faux-fur lined sweatshirts. SOOO warm! It's my new favorite.

Here is Sam carrying Jacob.

This little squirrel/chipmunk (I forget which) climbed right up on Angus' lap to have a bite of his ice cream.