We've Been Framed!

This is starting to get really fun!  We have been driving out to our lot nearly every day, just to see if any progress has been made.  Now they finally have the ball rolling--these guys work hard!  This was early last week . . . 

 on Wednesday,

 and this was Saturday after the kids' soccer game (Eleni & Jacob are on a team together and loving it)--we were all so excited!  The kids spent about an hour running through the framing and taking a "tour" of our new house.

 Above is the front view, and below is the view from behind.  I love Gabe jumping out the back window . . .

I took a couple of pictures in panorama view, so don't be worried about the slanting boards--they were all perfectly straight, I promise!  This is the view from the kitchen facing the master bedroom & entryway (I know--you really can't tell what's what yet . . .) .

 And this is the opposite view--me standing where the kids were above, facing the kitchen/dining area.  It's just so big!  We are not going to know what to do with all this space, so everyone had better come visit!

Movin' Right Along

Where do you think this bright-eyed crew is headed?

To our new lot!  We sold our home out of nowhere in a matter of days.  We weren't looking to move--we live in a beautiful place, on a perfect cul-de-sac, and in an amazing ward, but after following some very distinct promptings, we listed our home on KSL.com and sold it a couple of days later.  Suddenly we found ourselves without a place to live, and we soon felt good about this beautiful little spot in Little Valley, which is farther south and east of St. George than we were.  Here--maybe this will clear things up:

Our building permit just cleared yesterday, but we snuck over a week early to see where they had broken ground for our footings.  We are so excited! Sad to leave our home, yes, but feeling blessed to be able to build in this new, beautiful spot.  The above picture was taken on the hillside you can see in this picture below--there's a road that cuts into the mountain.

Here's the lot!  Looking South . . .

and Northwest.

The kids thought it was a giant maze--they had way too much fun and ruined all their Sunday clothes.  We will keep you posted with the progress!

What Have We Been Up To?

It feels like this is what we do all day long--feed these cute little faces . . .

(Do you love my Christmas Present in the background?  Seth had that beautiful little bookshelf built for me--I love it!!!!)

The Digital Era is upon us, and my kids are learning how to play computer games and handheld devices at an alarming rate.  We have to have "no computer/no I-pod" days quite frequently so they don't turn into little zombies. I have such mixed feelings about these gadgets!  It is amazing how quickly you can get information, but just as with television, the Internet, and any other innovation, it can be used for good or ill.  It's just up to us!  This article has some great thoughts on the subject.

 So while we have too  much of that, we still have a lot of this going on:

 And sometimes even harmony in playtime.

 With a healthy dose of practicing!  Jacob has started piano lessons with me, and he's cruising!  He really gets it.  Lydia has also started taking lessons from a more advanced teacher--she loves it and has blossomed as a pianist.  She looks forward to continuing her violin in orchestra next year.

Gabe fills his days playing with the cars he so graciously gave Jacob for his birthday . . . 

 and doing this from time to time . . . no wonder my kids are all sick!

 Evie's been doing this pretty well, at least!

And Eleni can read!  She's almost done with her reading lessons book. 

(This book is a must--it has made teaching my children to read so simple!)

There are few things more rewarding than seeing them finally understand how to sound out words and actually read.  

 (Doesn't she resemble this guy a bit?  Seth at about the same age . . .)

 Life has been incredibly hectic, but it's nice to have moments like this when my kids teach each other and help me out.  I am so blessed!

Even More About Evie

I am sure the question on everyone's mind is, "Does Evie have enough hair for an actual pony tail?"

And the answer is a resounding, "YES." 

 You thought I was kidding about Evie's flour fetish, didn't you?

 Oh no.  My pantry floor is well-floured at any given moment.

(Pay no attention to the naked leg in the corner--Gabe wanders around the house after he uses the restroom until he remembers he needs his pants back on.  It's only a problem when I have piano students--the rest of us are used to it.)

You should see this girl down a banana!

 She pops it in whole, 

 doesn't even chew,

and then begs for more with those little puppy-dog eyes.

 I don't think Gabe means to pester Evie--he just finds her so fascinating.  She's like a toy with buttons that always do the same thing--usually crying.  He is starting to exhibit signs of love, not just torture, so that's progress.  And you have to love that cute face.

I have never had a kid who liked sugar more than Gabe!  I've been trying to limit his intake.  He craves it from dawn until dusk, and if I don't give him sweet stuff, he finds it--like this.  Any suggestions? . . .

Evie has this thing about puppets--she can't get enough of them.  She thinks they're alive--I love how they make her chuckle.

And Eleni is so sweet to Evie.  Not long ago, she offered to "babysit" Evie.  She took her in her bedroom and played happily with her for over an hour.  It was wonderful, and just what I needed.

Come Again Cousins!

Last month, we had the privilege of seeing this bright little face for a few days!  Anthony & Kylie brought their sweet little kids, Kalina Jonette and Duncan Hatch, for a visit.  They were so patient with our crazy crew, and were totally ok with doing anything we wanted to do. 

 So we took them hiking up Webb hill--and it was windy!!!  We rarely get wind, and it was pretty chilly.  The poor babies were totally troopers through it all.

 Here's little Duncan Donuts--we love that little cute round face!  It is so crazy to me to think of my little brother having two kids--I am still in the habit of calling Benj & Anth "the little boys" from when I was twelve . . .

Anth & Kylie are awesome parents.  They were infinitely patient and were so sweet to my kids

 Nice backyard, isn't it? :)

 

Evie's always leery of anyone but Mom & Dad picking her up.  Nothing personal, Uncle Tony--she does like you.

Duncan & Evie--great little pals!

A Flour Mustache

 Evie is incredibly mobile now.  She just itches to walk, and crawls around our house looking for something to do.  And she finds it--usually in the pantry.  I caught her eating handfuls of flour (at least it was whole wheat--do you think she's malnourished?  She was downing it like there's no tomorrow!), and I now have to keep the pantry door tightly shut.

A week or two ago she was being far too quiet in her bedroom, and this is why. 

 I have yet to find anything more appealing to toddlers than a new package of wipes.  I should let her do this anytime, but instead I treat wipes like they're precious--because they ARE!  Run out of those babies at the wrong time, and all the money in the world isn't going to help you.

So I'm glad you had your fun, little Evie J--and that I caught it on camera before I cleaned it up.  Someday I'll look back and miss your little floury hand-prints on the tile.