Brian and Amy's third child Amdon Darrell b. 29 May 2008

Ethan and Katie's new baby Landon John b. 18 Sep 2008

Karen and her mom Gerri in TN Sep 22, 2008

Darrell and I drove down to TN on Friday the 19th of September 2008. On Saturday morning we began a few fun projects of fall cleaning upkeep on my mom's home. Darrell power washed the roof, bleached the roof, installed new gutter guards, power washed the house and driveway. Then I decided that she needed new outside lights and a new shutter color (from green to brown). The new shutter color really makes the new lighting pop. We had a great time watching my moms joy as her home's new look came about. We also had the pleasure of attending a dinner party that her new friends held Sautrday evening. What a fun night it was and they are indeed nice people that bring my mother laughter and fun into her life.

General Conference

October 4 & 5, 2008 is General Conference weekend. We so look forward to twice a year (April and October) being able to sit in the comfort of our home and learn from our church leaders. It has become a family tradition that has enhanced our lives for many years now. We sit at the feet of our prophet and apostles and learn the direction that our family needs to follow for the next six months. It is such a blessing to know beyond a shadow of a doubt that there indeed is a living prophet on the face of the earth to help guide and direct us as we navigate our way through earth life.

Ethan and Katie's home construction completed. 9-6-2008

I also posted a picture a before and after of our master bedroom. There are other pictures that I cannot locate of what the bedroom looked like the first week we moved into the house back in Nov 2001. Now that is a remarkable change. When I locate the Nov 01 bedroom picture I will post that you can truly appreicate the change. My friend Lacey Williams encouraged me to show a picture or two of my deorating skills. I will update the blog as I have more time to search out the pictures of total makeovers in other houses that I have done.

Master Bedroom redone

Master Bedroom before redo

I posted a few pictures of Katie and Ethan's newly remodeled home. As a family we worked on this home from July 2nd through mid August. A new roof, windows, new front posts, new kitchen, new bathroom, new plumbing, the hardwood floors have been refinished, a new travertine kitchen floor was laid, and the entire inside of the house repainted along with new ceilings in the LR, kitchen, and upstairs hallway. Ethan and Katie are working on the final details such as quarter round throughout the house and some paint touch ups.

The baby shower for Landon John is scheduled for tomorrow September 6th, 2008. Landon is expected in the next couple of weeks.

Ethan and Katies new home

Back After

Back Before

Front in the middle of the remodeling, new windows, new roof and new front columns, shrub removal complete.

Front in the middle of remodel.

Front before remodel started.

March 21, 2008
65 degress and sunny

I want you all to know that it was by accident that I finally figured out how to post the slide show of our western trip. Not that I had not tried numerous times before. Lets say I at times can be computer challenged.

Also I am adding that the diet is going slowly but surely. Now I am back to pre trip size and actually can tell by my clothing that I have made additional losses. There is no weighing of this body. If not enough progress then I get upset and wonder why I am working so hard, if I lose to much then, hey, my mentality is lets party...which includes real ice cream.

Karen Ann

Western Trip

We had such a wonderful time visiting with dear friends (Price's, Larkin's another Price family, Hinckley's, Andersen's, Andrew's, Hicks, Haggs, Schmidts, Hanson and Peterson families) and conducting business along the way. We started in Utah then onto Nevada, sunny California and while in California we took a trolley ride down to Tijuana, Mexico.

I have been doing Weight Watchers and walla finally I needed to buy new pants.

Yeah!

I have been working at this since January 8th. I did take a week off when my Mom was here visiting.

Mentioning the visit. We had a great time. The weather was very cooperative which helps. We visited Locust Grove. Locust Grove is where George Rogers Clark lived for his last years. It is still a magnificent home. George Rogers Clark is the brother of the famed Lewis and Clark expedition. The team stopped into visit on their return from their mapping trip through the west. We also visited the Derby Museum at Churchill Downs. We took in lunch with Ethan at Wagoneer's Diner. The walls of the diner are lined with pictures of trainers, jockeys, owners and the famed horses of The Kentucky Derby. We also enjoyed a family dinner, visiting everyones homes and places of business. Now when my Mom thinks of us she knows what their homes and businesses look like.

Upon taking my Mom back to TN I had a bug to paint her house. It needed it desperately and thus the painting began. The LR, FR, kitchen eating area and hallway all have a fresh paint of light Robin Eggs Blue on the walls. It is just gorgeous with her furnishings. The new paint has added a uplift to the draperies and furniture. Making everything bloom like a spring flower. After filling all of the holes in the wall I left my Mom with stern instructions that on a boring day she is not aloud to move her pictures. My Dad used to say he is was blind he would never know where a chair would be everyday when he returned home. My Mom has always rearranged furniture and pictures on a constant and regular basis. It has turned into the new joke that when the urge hits take a car ride but do not put a hole in the wall.


Karen Ann

Although this is absolutly a secret and if you continue to read, it must not be shared with anyone or anything...Today Ethan and Katie brought over cupcakes for our monthly Family Home Evening dessert. Half of the cupcakes were decorated in pink It's A Girl? and the other half in blue It's A Boy?. It was their way of letting us know they are expecting their first child. Karen's mom was here visiting from Tennessee so Great Grandma received the news at the same time.
January 27, 2008

Snow falling January 14, 2008 looking out our bedroom window

Brilee at Disneyworld Dec 2007

Darrell and Karen at Disneyworld Dec 23, 2007 with Brilee and Brayland

Enjoy My Pictures

At the end of the photo shot the sprinklers came on and Brayland thought it would be fun to get wet. His pants were too big and as he was running they fell down.



To see more of our family pictures go to Amy's link. see side bar

Hello Out there!

Hello friends and family. i'm now a blogger!