JoEs VaLLeY 9.26-28.08

Over the weekend we had the opportunity to take, what I am afraid to say, our last camping trip of the season. :( I swear it just started! It was SO much fun! And am so glad we were able to go. Lys' friend Ashley came with our immediate family and was so much fun to have join us! So helpful and polite! Thanks for coming Ash. You are welcome anytime! Rick (Codys Dad) Cathy (Step Mom), Christine (Sis), Jesse (Bro), Ryan, Whitney, Sky, Lou, Brock, Ron (All friends), Josh (Bro) and Kaden all came to make it even more fun. We fished, we rode 4-wheelers, we hiked a little, we ate GoOd FoOd, we laughed, We EnJoYeD tHe MoUnTaInS!Lys and Ash were tree climbing fools! There were some great trees around to spend alot of their time in.

They enjoyed helping to carve our marshmallow roasters.

The girls and I HAD to leave our mark. I think that is the 2ND time only I have ever carved names in a tree... Sorry Tree-huggers!

Brock, Teen, Weston, Jesse & Cody

Lys & her FiSh

Rick

We couldnt have gone up at a better time! When it was still decently warm, and the fall colors were coming out in the trees. The trees literally looked like they were glowing. SO GoRgeOuS! I wish I would have taken my camera on the 4 wheeler ride, because there were some amazing shots I could have taken.

Weston was quite the fisher-boy! Saturday when we got to the lake, we cast out and he was so excited about it he started reeling the line in, which he wasnt supposed to do, but I guess somehow miraculously caught a fish on the way in! I thought for sure it was just seaweed or something. Nope!

He was so proud of himself, and acted like that was what he does! No problem! He was the first one to catch something!

Cody, flyfishin...

Rick, Catching the first catch of the day Sunday morning. Cathy and Rick are about as competetive as Cody and I. This was a bet between the two of them. Word to the Wise-men: Its ok to let your wife win once in a while. It makes us feel special. We KNOW you guys can often times do it better. ;)

Josh and his LuCkY fish!

The KiD-CReW

Josh, poor thing, spent the night up dealing with whatever food, or drinks that weren't agreeing with his stomach. I'm glad you are alive still Josh!!

I love Codys face in this picture.. and my what BiG NoSTriLs I have!! You'd think, the better to breathe with.

Special thanks to Jean (Cody's Mom), for watching Gage all weekend. It was nice not worrying about him eating Cow pie, or being too cold.. etc etc. We appreciate that a ton! And know he was in good hands! Also ThaNkS to my Mom for helping a few hours too!!

MaKiNg a HoUsE a HoMe

A day late, a dollar short.

It has been a year since we moved into our HoMe (as of Sept 5th, which was our first day home with Gage as well). I have had the desire to take our before and after pictures and post them for part of OuR own records. As I find no time for scrapbooking, blogging about it makes it so much easier. I have neglected to do so for so long because I have thought we'd get around to doing the FiNaL things we wish to do but decided I have no idea when we will get to them, so I will just go back and replace photos if needs be and get what we HaVe done up.

As many of you know we bought our home with the intention of remodeling the EnTiRe thing, within a MONTH... While I was 8 months pregnant non the less! We were able to do the majority of it, but moved in with a few minor details undone. We did so much in so little time and can't thank enough the hands that helped make that possible (from family and friends). What makes this worth blogging about to me is the fact it was done by US (our blood, sweat AND tears.. especially from me--the tears part, I know that) AND like I said help from family and friends. The ONLY thing we hired out was Re-mudding the walls. Thanks to our dear friend RyAn with the amazing hookup. Our builder loves PoPCoRn walls.. they were the first thing that HaD to go. Cody painted them and I went around with my 8 month old belly FauX finishing them (with the help of Kam on a couple rooms!). I have the most talented husband who worked so hard on it and if he didn't know how to do something, he figured it out and spent countless nights here til 2 in the morning.

Some of my before pictures are funky, I know. My PuRpoSe was to capture more in my photos (Yah, I wish I didn't try that). I didn't have the sweet sleek camera I have now that seems to get in a little more. And of course I am going to take my pictures right after cleaning so YeS, those are Vacuum lines that are straight... I AM that anal.BeFoRe (FrOnT RoOm)aFteRBeFoRe (FrOnT RoOm)aFteRBeFoRe aFteRBeFoRe (umm KiTcHeN)BeFoRe (DiNiNg)aFteRBeFoRE (FaM RoOm)aFteRBeFoRe (DoWn HaLf BaTh)aFteRBeFoRe (LaUnDrY)aFteR (still need cabinets)BeFoRe (MaSteR)

aFteRBeFoRe (MaSteR)aFteRMaSteRBeFoRe (MaSteR BaTh)aFteR (MaSteR BaTh)BeFoReaFteRBeFoReaFteR

BeFoRe

aFteR (LyS' RoOm)

BeFoReaFteR (WeStoNs RoOm)

BeFoRe (LoFt)aFteR (ThEaTRe) BeFoRe (KiDs BaTh)aFteR (KiDs BaTh) BeFoRe (KiDs BaTh)aFteR (KiDs BaTh)BeFoREaFteR (GaGe RoOm still a work in progress)

SPECIAL thanks to: Mike (Bro), Matt (Bro), Marty (BFF), Rick (Dad), Cathy (Mom), Larry (Dad), Peggy (Mom), Zack (Bro), Kami (S.I.L), Ryan C. (BFF), Jory (BFF), Ryan Z. (Friend, B), Sasha (Frie), Tanner (cous), Tyler & Sam (Cous), Josh (Bro), Danielle (S.I.L), Angie (Frie), Kat (BFF), John W (BFF).... Anyone who spent countless hours, or HeLp, with making this all possible. I don't mean, or want to forget anyone.