A Tale of Two Houses...

So.... last year at about this time, we were in the process of buying a new house. We were, in fact, just about to close on it and begin the remodeling process, as the new home needed quite a bit of work. For instance, Ed would redo the entire plumbing throughout the house due to the infamous poly-butelyn pipe that was in the house. And Eileen would end up painting more than she ever thought she would. Sometimes 2 or 3 times, trying to get the color right. We replaced carpet, put in tile, redid the kitchen and bathroom counter tops with granite and a million other things. It was a HUGE job and we all breathed a sigh of relief when we finally got things done in time to move in just a couple of days before Christmas. Actually, doing all we did in a little more than 2 months time was not bad. Of course we have continued to paint and work on the place constantly over the last year, but it has come along and we have loved, loved, loved the new place and are filled with gratitude for Heavenly Father's bounteous blessings to us. Here are some pictures of the remodeling process. The front of the house as Ed and EK start to redo the plumbing. What a job that was!

The kitchen, torn up and in the process of being re-plumbed.

The family room in the process of being repainted.

The hallway with the plumbing pipe being installed from one end of the house to the other.

Here is a picture of the fireplace and family room finished, (at Emily's baby shower in March.)

Here is a picture showing the new counter tops and family room in background, (at Josh's birthday in March.)

So...that is just a quick story of our move and a small glimpse of the new house re-model. I will have to post more in-depth pictures later. Following are some pictures of our old home...just because we loved that old house too and I don't want to ever forget it. Here is the Living Room.

Marcie's Bathroom

Kitchen:

Family room:

So...that is the story of Two Houses....both very loved and lived in.

Antelope Canyon--Guys Trip

While Marcie and I were having our "girls trip" in Hawaii, Ed and 3 of our sons went to Antelope Canyon over the 4th of July for a "guys trip." Antelope Canyon is a very photogenic canyon near Page, AZ. They all lugged in big cameras and tri-pods so they could get the "photographers pass" and roam the canyon on their own. I think between them all they took thousands of pictures.
Very cool place....

More June Events: Hawaii!

In June, Marcie and I had the opportunity to go to Hawaii with her YW leader, Monica, who is from there, and one of her best friends, Jenna and her mother, Kirstin. Monica often takes small groups every summer to Hawaii and hosts them at her mothers house and then acts as tour guide for a week showing them the beautiful island of Oahu where she grew up. We were excited for such an opportunity and bit the bullet and went. We were so glad we did. Monica is a fun and enthusiastic host and knew all the best places to go. We thoroughly enjoyed the 10 days we were there and saw and learned much. One of the things that impressed me the most is how happy all the island people are. They are constantly laughing and joking and enjoying life as if they never have a care. That is how Monica is too....and we knew that about her before we left, but now we understand a little bit more about why she is the way she is. (My personal opinion about why they are that way is because they never have winter, ha ha.) I mean really, if you lived in paradise all year round where there is beauty on every side and never had winter! No wonder they are all smiles!
Here are a few highlights:

Surfing was on the top of the girls list and so we wasted no time in getting them to the beach to try their luck. They actually were not bad!

Marcie and I at Monica's. How's that for a back yard.

All of us in downtown Waikiki.

At a Japanese Temple.

Marcie Posing.

At Pearl Harbor...

Marcie and Jenna buried in the sand. We loved the beach and tried to visit a different one every other day or so. Yup, I could get used to it.

The lei stands at the airport. Aahhh the aroma.

On Sunday, we drove over to the North shore and visited the BUY campus and the beautiful Hawaii Temple.

At the Polynesian Cultural Center waiting for the boat show.

Marcie and Jenna at the luau.

Para sailing was another activity that was high on their list. They loved it....

even getting dunked!

The leaf that would have made Adam and Eve proud! It was a wonderful trip...one we will never forget. So glad we went. Thank you Monica!

Girls Camp---June 2011

I loved being on our stake girls camp committee this last summer.

The Theme was "Come Take Your Place", and we used the theme to try and help the girls remember who they are as Daughters of God and to remember that their eventual place is with him in the eternities. On the first day of camp as they arrived the Junior counselors placed a crown on their heads and they walked down the "red carpet" into camp.

I loved working with all the wonderful women on the committee. It was interesting to see how each woman filled a different role in the preparation and execution of the camp. It was as if Heavenly Father had hand-picked each person and as we met together all spring in planning sessions to plan the camp, it was amazing to see how it all just fell together perfectly, as each person brought their ideas and talents to the planning meetings.

It was way too much fun! I love these ladies!

Here the girls are putting their hand-print signature on the banner with the theme on it...

There were lots and lots of activities: horse-back riding, archery, tomahawk throwing and crafts and nightly devotionals, and of course all the certification that went along with it. This was Marcies very last year at girls camp and I was glad I got to share it with her.

She was quite proud of sticking all three tomahawks in...not an easy feat.

Everyone agrees...there is just something special about girls camp...Hopefully we will not soon forget the wonderful lessons and friendships that were made there in that beautiful place.