Second Half of April

April has come and gone.  Though it's technically a shorter month, it felt like a LONG month.  Maybe it was due to the winter storms we kept getting, or maybe due to the fact we were tearing up our kitchen floor and we were in construction mode all month.  We made the best of it, but it definitely threw us off "our groove" at certain times.  I'm very grateful for a kitchen sink, an oven, dishwasher, and especially running water in the kitchen.  We had to do dishes a couple days in the bath tub when Steve was working on the floor under the sink.  It definitely makes you appreciate the simple yet incredible conveniences we have today.

Steve also went and installed new light fixtures for LuDean/Diane.

A new one in the bathroom.

While he was doing that, Aunt Diane kept the boys busy painting their piggy banks they got from the library earlier.  Thanks Diane!

Another light fixture in Diane's room.

And then it decided to be winter again....more snow!

 I'm thankful to be able to take the train to work and not have to drive in the snow.

For young men's Steve and the boys made dutch oven desserts.

We took a walk around the neighborhood w/ the neighbor girls Lucy and Millie and their mom Kate.  They are working on selling their house so a walk was a nice break.

Making progress on the tile in the entry way.  A few girls came over to play one night.  We played w/ sidewalk chart tracing ourselves and I made hopscotch squares for them to use.

We then drew on our backwall.  Steve drew the sun; he's very artistic.

Nyles, Carter and Lucy drawing on the wall.

A picture Nyles made.

A police car Steve made.

Elsie playing peek a poo w/ Lucy and Carter after a wagon ride.

Lucy and Carter having fun.

We then used the water hose to spray and pretended to be fireman to wash off the sidewalk chalk.

Steve helping Sophie get the water going.

 Now Nyles' turn.

Later Carter taking a bath.  He likes to try to drink the water, silly kid.

At school they did a "Fun Run" to raise money for the school.

Luckily, Nyles really did think it was fun!

Nyles have a great time doing his laps on the run.  

Addie Bradford in the green shirt and Liberty in the mermaid shirt.

Steve and I made it to the temple together!  We went and did sealings with our ward.  It was great to be part of the work, especially marriage sealings.  Steve and I are so blessed to be sealed for eternity!

While Steve was working on tile, I took the boys to the park.

Nyles wanted to pull the wagon w/ Carter in it.

It was a beautiful day.  Carter had to try the swings, his favorite.

Then down the slides a couple times.  

Nyles wanted a snack afterwards, so he jumped in the wagon for a ride back.

Our washer decided to die on us, so we went over to Dave/Joann's to wash our clothes.

Carter thinks its so fun to play w/ grandpa's glasses, and get tickled.

"Cheese, look at me I'm grandpa now!"

 Making more progress w/ the tile.

We took a walk down to Arby's one night after work (just down the hill).  The boys wanted to go for a wagon ride, and since our oven was out of commission, it was a win/win.  We had a nice walk.

 

Steve went w/ the young men on a walk at the Temple quarry.

An old pipe w/ cedar planks.

Pretty scenery.

We then went to RCWilley's to find a new washing machine.  Luckily we found one in the "scratch and dent" section which was reduced price for a little dent, and the salesman gave us an additional discount since we were picking it up ourselves.  Yeah for a new washer at a discount!

Nyles wearing Carter's monkey backpack, and Carter giving us his cute smile.

Now getting to the other cabinets by the sink.

The sink area under the cabinets.

There was a bunch of debris in the vent.  We wonder how long it's been there...

It takes a few steps to finish the tile.  First Steve had to rip the rest of the tile out, then put the lathe down.  He then put modified thin set down, let it dry, then he could put the tile down.  It's quit a few steps, but we love the completed project.  

A few of our tulips also came up, though not as many as last year.  We think maybe due to the late winter storms we kept having this year that they didn't come up.

 

Cute Carter loves to "help" daddy.  

Sometimes he's not much of a help, but he's still cute.

The modified thin set down now.

Nyles is a good, sound sleeper.  Majority of the time he doesn't wake up, even if we go in his room.  I went and opened his blinds this morning as well and he still didn't wake up.  Silly kid.

Yeah the tiles done under the sink area!

Looking good! Steve put the appliances and cabinets back in the meantime.

From the entry way.

Different flowers blooming around the yard.

Cute Carter looking for the neighbors cats after church.

Nyles and Carter after church.  I love my cute little boys :)

We decided to go on part of the walk/hike Steve went on w/ the young men.  It was a beautiful place and a good reminder of the sacrifice the pioneers made to build the SLC temple.

Carter in front of the monument at the Temple Granite Quarry.  

Then back in the wagon ready for a walk.

               

 Nyles and Grandpa Dave looking at the info board, and Nyles showing us drill marks on the rock.

Enjoying our stroll, especially Carter in the wagon.

 Nyles wanted to hike up the rock, so I went w/ him.

Nyles and I on top of the rock.

Pretty view.

Carter looking at the view and giving us his cute smile!

 

Nyles, Carter and I.

 Picture w/ Carter.

Beautiful stream.

Taking another picture down by the stream.

Steve and Carter.

Another w/ Carter. 

Nyles in front of an old hydro power plant.

Steve and I.

On our way back.

Carter wanted to get out and run w/ Nyles the last stretch of the walk.

Great quotes!

We hope you all had a great April.  I'm so thankful it's finally Spring, which means the weather is getting warmer and we're getting more daylight each day.  I'm so thankful for the Restoration of the Gospel and the Priesthood, plus to have a living prophet today.  We are so blessed!