Back to the Real World

It was an amazing summer but all good things must, eventually, come to an end.  Actually, life is just good in general, really, so I guess the good things are not ending.  I'll just say they are going in a different direction right now.  School started and that means a whole new world of crazy busy around here.

Soccer started for Emma which means swimming lessons are over, for now.  It's not unusual to leave for work before 7 a.m. and not get home until after soccer, about 7 p.m. (Monday and Wednesdays).
Abby has swimming on Thursdays after school for a few more weeks.  Thanks goodness Andy and I are both done with graduate school!  My half marathon is about 2 1/2 weeks away so I am still squeezing in my training when I can.  This whole work thing is really putting a damper on my training schedule!  Running at 8 a.m. is a whole lot nicer than running after work at 4 p.m.

My sister came out to visit and to watch Emma while we went back to work.  We had 5 days of professional development before the kids started.  Since the district daycare goes by teacher contract schedule and Abby could go there, Emma got to spend some quality time with her aunt.

Abby's first day of preschool.  She insisted on taking a picture in the "sand" box with her lunch box and a towel.  I must pick my battles.

Tina just got back from Peru.  She always makes the girls books as if they went on the adventure.  Too cute.

Tina got to see Emma's awesome swimming skills.

craft time with Aunt Tina

This girl loves to make the coffee.

Good Morning!

I took my sister out on an 8-mile hike in Round Valley to get a feel for some of the half marathon route.  It was gorgeous!

Our leaves are already changing color--the result of little to no rain this summer.

Our good friend, Ben, turned 40 recently so we celebrated with a trip on the Salt Lake Party Bike!

When Aunt Tina is in town, tennis and the park are a must.

We went to the Park Silly Market.

hiking around Summit Park

The girls decided to do a little Spartan training.

I'm not quite sure what you call these moves.

Emma and Tina went to the Museum of Natural Curiosity

Emma loved the bank.

My sister got the chance to see Emma play soccer.

Emma and Tina ventured down to Main Street to the Park City Museum and...

...played some mini golf at Park City Resort.

We had an open house at our school.  Abigail loved being in the library with all of the fun creatures and stuffed animals.

Emma's first day of 1st grade

Sunday Funday family hike

 

Home Remodeling Update #4

It's so rewarding to see things starting to come together, instead of being in the constant demolition stage.

Good riddance, yucky shower.

Our friend, Jensen, helped us get started on the new shower by pouring the pan, installing a new drain, and moving a wall and plumbing back.

The toilet and sink are gone.

Andy has also been trying to tackle the fireplace rock.  It's a beast.

The shower is just about ready to be tiled.  So exciting!!

Oops...painting the base in the garage and I go and spill a half can of paint.  At least it was on the cement floor and not on the carpet.

We have base on 2 walls!!  The girls will be getting their play area back very soon.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the room...  We are waiting to sheetrock around the fireplace until all of the rock has been removed.

 

When We Are Not Remodeling...

This last week, we haven't been quite as adventurous as past weeks.  Our focus has been on our remodeling project so that is not hanging over our heads when we head back to work, um, tomorrow.

The girls have been absolute troopers throughout this whole remodel.  Their temporary playroom has been the bottom deck.

Ms. Emma loves to help in the kitchen.  This is one of her masterpiece sandwiches.

She has also been helping us make the coffee in the mornings.  One morning, she had gotten up early and made the coffee all my herself.  This is what was waiting for us when we got downstairs.  Love her!

Needless to say, there are a lot of tools and such laying around the basement.  

Taking after her mama...lil' miss crafty.

 Andy and I celebrated our 8th anniversary!

I made the big leap and went into school one day last week.  Abby saw her BFF, Halle, the daughter of our administrative assistant.

Deer Valley concert

Abby insisted on running up and down the hills at the concert.  I considered it good training. 

A trip to the local library was made complete by playing with giant tangrams.

Whenever we go into a store that has mannequins, Abby has to go around and give each of them a hug.

Emma went to a soccer clinic put on by a local university's soccer team.

This past Saturday was the 15K of the Park City Trail Series.  All of the training has really paid off because we beat our goal!!  Next up...the half marathon on September 17th.  WooHoo!