Best ward ever

So we basically have the best ward ever.  We are so sad to leave.  The whole YM and YW(40+ people) came over the other night and helped us rip up all the carpet,de nail the wood floors, haul garbage, sand, and rake.  It is true what they say: 

Many hands make light work. 

 They did in one hour what would have taken us 3 weeks.  Thanks Hillcrest 6th ward.  You are the best!

I was pretty sure we bought an empty house, but we somehow managed to fill up a whole truck and trailer

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My birthday was a delight thanks to all who were involved.  A special thanks to my lovely husband, who go me this:

(an industrial sewing machine)

And took me here:

( He bought out every seat in the theatre.  How romantic!)

Roller Skating

We went roller skating with our ward the other night.  I have to admit it has been a while, but we had a blast.  Turns out Miles has really good balance and wore his skates all night.

Miles is already too cool for school.  He preferred doing this:

Our Humble Home

After a year of looking, 4 houses, many tears and tribulation, we have finally purchased our first home.  We are so excited or 'cited' as Miles would say.  

Here are the specs:

Built in 1930's sometime.  3 bedroom 2 bath upstairs and a legal accessory apt. ( 1 bed/1 bath) in the basement.

As you can see in the photos, it needs a lot of work.  It has only been 2 days, but I am  already having so much fun fixing it up and making it ours.  

front room ( 2 pics). there is hardwood under this nasty carpet.  I can't wait to rip it up.

cute little breakfast nook.  This was a selling point for me

This is one of the bathrooms.  The one we are going to fix up first.  It needs a lot of work

The Apartment

If anyone knows anyone that needs to rent a 1 bedroom apt.  Send them our way.

Airplanes and Babies

Some tricks I have learned, flying with Baby

1- Get a window seat!  You would think it would be easier to have an isle seat incase your child needed a diaper change, etc.  I have found it way more of a hassle having an isle seat.  All Miles wanted to do is run up and down the isle and visit with the other passengers.  Which I am sure is adorable the first 5 times.  The rest of the flight, I am fighting him to stay out of the way of the flight attendants and their giant carts that take up the whole isle.

It is better that they are contained, and have to climb over two stranger's laps to get to the isle.  Much more intimidating.  Plus looking out the window, and the cool sliding things that open and close the window, is something that can be very entertaining, and you don't have to pack it in your already too big purse that is crowding your feet.  Wow, that was a long sentence.

2-Keep entertainment items small and not every day toys.  Some items that have worked for us..

stickers.  As seen in a photo posted earlier.  This took up a good half hour.  We tried to find the funniest places to put stickers. 

 

one I learned from my sister in law, is get a small box or tupperware and cut slits in it big enough to fit coins through.  You probably want to wash the money first.  This worked wonders on our trip to Hawaii ( 4 hour flight?)  Hours of entertainment.  The fascination that he actually got to play with money, plus he delighted in putting the little coins through the little slits.

gum worked good for immediate distraction and bribery.  Who cares if it stays in his system 

for 7 years. 

3- Opt for a water with a lid as opposed to a cup and can of soda.  When you are sharing a seat with a kicking child, a cup of soda sitting on a flimsy table right at foot level is way more work than it is worth.  Or maybe purchase a soda with a lid before entering the airplane.  Somehow I never follow my own advise on this one and end up sharing a tray with my already annoyed neighbor.

4- fly Jet Blue.  More leg room, Good snacks and lots of them, Guaranteed your own television with cartoon network.  Need I say more?

Please share if you have any flying advise. 

Entertainment on the plane.

Miles doesn't like his picture taken.