Handy Manny

Dave and I finally started some more home improvement projects. We (actually, I should say, Dave) installed curtains in our bedroom. We are now DEEP sleepers! Our room is pitch black at night-it's heaven! Our room still needs paint, but that will happen another day.

Dave also installed this t.v. in our bedroom, hiding the cables and everything into the wall. I have to admit...I was impressed!

On Labor Day, we made painted our laundry room all purpley. No before pics of that, but here's the after picture.

The purple is certainly cute, right?

While we were making a mess...we decided to paint Kate's bathroom. The previous owners were blind (we think). Aside from the pukey green color choice, they also painted everywhere they shouldn't have (on ceilings, light fixtures, etc) and failed to paint in those places that they should have (behind the toilet, around the mirror, all the way down to the floor boards, etc). This is the before:
And...sorry, no after photo yet. I just finished painting today, and there's still tape, paint cans, and a mess in there! Dave also ripped the ugly mirror off the wall, and we got a cute new one to hang; you'll have to see that later. One thing at a time.

We've also gotten a bid to install new hardwood floors. After receiving the estimate, however, we're kind of second-guessing the whole thing; maybe after a few months of saving.

I'm also trying to hold back my excitement for Halloween! It is absolutely my favorite time of year (Christmas doesn't count). Dave set up our Spooky town village, which Kate loves. Every time we get a visitor, Kate wants to show them "her" Spooky town by turning on all the lights and gadgets that go with it.

It's a little bit of a sight for sore eyes, but it's fun for a month or so.

I wasted an entire afternoon highlighting items I wanted to buy for a Halloween party out of an Oriental Trading catalog. I, soon after, realized I had no guest list to go along with my party and, sadly, decided to drop the whole thing ( I did this same thing last year too). At some point (when Dave and I actually have friends) we will have one freaking awesome party due to the many years it has been in the making.

The whole costume part of Halloween is become less and less exciting. Being an elementary school teacher, I'm forced to come up with a new costume idea each year. Instead of being a fun thing, I find myself stressed out over it year after year. After a trip to Target the other night, I've finally figured out which alter ego I'll be taking on this year. Are you ready for this...Little Red Riding Hood. I know...lame, right? I wasn't dying to be a storybook character, but I saw a little red cloak hanging on the rack and thought, "Hey, that would be easy." All I need is a little basket to carry and we'll call the whole thing DONE.

Last night Dave and I tried out the Log Haven restaurant up in Millcreek Canyon. I was so excited when we got there because the atmosphere of the place is totally fun. You're up in the middle of a forest with waterfalls flowing behind you as you eat, it's all log cabin-y, and it almost felt like Christmas with the cold bite in the air, and lit fireplaces. It definitely makes for a romantic dinner experience. Anyway, as the meal got going, the salads were wonderful, and that was pretty much it. The service was really slow & crappy, and the food was not good at all. There was also a box elder bug that kept finding it's way back to our table top, which was a little creepy and unappetizing, and some mosquito that kept buzzing in my ear. EESh! Anyway, super disappointing. Dave said he'd never go back. I would love to give it another try if they could just do something about the food and the service. Oh, well; another restaurant checked off the list.

Kate's been a snuggle bug lately. She's gotten good at saying, "I love you" lately without prompting or warning. Although she probably says it more frequently to her daddy, I still melt every time she says it. There's nothing more sweet than hearing those words from your two year-old.

Aside from being a princess, Kate is also learning a thing or two about being a pirate. She's got two boy cousins who are obsessed with pirates and Indiana Jones. She's gotten really good at make-believe, and I'm glad to see her taking on new genres. Lately, however, she loves to turn objects into swords and use pirate-like language. We've tried to talk to her about how we shouldn't hit people with our swords, or say words like "kill". She hasn't caught on just yet, but hopefully soon.

Anyway, that's the latest.

Weekend Wrap-Up

It was a whirlwind of a weekend. Thursday night was Grandpa's viewing. It was a nice event, and we saw a lot of family friends. Kate spent her time playing with cousins, splashing in an outdoor water fountain, and picking the mortuary's grass. Dave and I spent our time chasing after her. She also met and played with my cousin's little girl, Sophie. As you can see, they are kindred spirits.

Friday was the funeral. Grandpa didn't want a funeral, so my dad made a point to mention that it was just a little family gathering if anyone asked. My dad gave the life sketch and also dedicated the grave. My dad's siblings and my grandpa's friend also shared some memories and thoughts. Everyone did a really nice job.

The burial was at Alpine Cemetary. Here's Dave, Ryan, and Aaron, along with some cousins, carrying the casket. Here's My great Aunt Laura and Grandma. Don't they look a lot alike?Kate, Dave, and Me.

After the burial, we had a luncheon at my Aunt Lori's house. She had several tables set up under some big, shady trees.  It was really pretty fun and I'm so glad she was so willing to take on such a big event during such a stressful time.  

My dad and mom.

Kate and Dave getting ready to leave.

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I also managed to get my first illness this school year. 4 weeks in, and I'm already sick; I'm thinking this is not a good sign. I've had no voice since Thursday. Yesterday I was really feverish and had a meltdown. You know, one of those moments where you want to be a little girl again so your mom can nurse you back to health. Dave took good care of me though. After my fever broke, I've been feeling a lot better; not great, but better. Kate's had a little runny nose and cough too. She's also been teething, which mean she's been going through a lot of diapers. She's been a good sport through it all though.

Saying Good-bye

Grandpa Nelson passed away this afternoon at 3:08pm.

Most of the family was there. It's very rare that I see all my family in one little room, so it was all pretty special.

For the first while, he was breathing loudly and heavily. Kate kept saying, "He's tired. He's sleeping." His breathing patterns soon slowed and became softer. We knew he would be leaving us soon. We all took turns saying our good-byes. Grandma, Lori, and Dad all gave him permission to go. Aside from telling him that she 'loved him with all of her heart,' Grandma kept saying, "I'll be along soon, Bruce. I'll be along." As his breathing slowed, we all stood around his bed holding his hands, right up until he took his last breath.

It was all very numbing after he left. It was like the only thing that mattered was that very moment.

I told Kate I needed to give Grandpa a kiss, and she insisted that she, too, needed to give him one. I held her up and we both took our turns giving him one last kiss.

I was sure she had no idea what was going on, but in the elevator Kate said, "Grandpa's gone," in the most cheerful, little girl voice you've ever heard. I can't be sure she was actually talking about Grandpa Nelson, or maybe just about her Papa Lyle. But it did make me wonder if she had more insight than the rest of us did as to what had just happened.

While I wish the whole family could have been there, it was still a sweet and memorable experience; just the way it should have been. We love you Grandpa, and Grandma too. Hopefully we can take good care of her even though he's gone.

Thanks Dren, my cousin Rachael, Uncle Jeff, Mom, Dad and everyone else for entertaining Kate. I was glad Kate and I could be there to help send him on his way. I was also so glad to be a part of such a spiritual experience with so much of my family.

Grandma & Grandpa Nelson

I copied these picture from Kelly's & Rachael's blogs. The two of them are much better at taking pictures and documenting important things. I just had to have a copy too...maybe this will inspire me to do better in the future.

Labor Day Weekend

We spent a couple nights up at the Dakota Mountain Lodge in Park City this Labor Day weekend. It's brand new and I must admit...there's something very comforting about sleeping under NEW hotel sheets. When we first walked through the lobby to our room, Kate remarked, "Kate's hotel is beautiful!" To that I replied, "It is beautiful!" The lobby reminded me a lot of Del Coronado's (breathtaking), only it's a little more contemporary. The rooms were very nice too, complete with fireplaces and a T.V. hovering above the toilet and jetted tub (something every bathroom should have).

During our visit, we spent our first afternoon Melting at Swiss Days with Ryan and Adrienne. Not sure what all the hype is about, but I guess I'm proud to say I've been there now.

The Alpine Slide & Coaster were also paid a visit. To be a passenger, you had to be at least 3 years old, which Kate "technically" is not. Let's just say that she learned very quickly how to correctly answer the question, "How old are you?"

Kate also spent some time on the kiddie rides. Her favorite was the Space Train. She really believed she was controlling the ride. Just before it started, she turned around and asked the other kids, "Are you ready, guys?" Once in motion, she was pushing all the sticker buttons and controls like it was some very serious business.
Of course, with every vacation good dining is a must! We enjoyed our time at the Grub Steak, and Ruth's Chris during our stay. I am kind of crab junkie, and decided I needed to give Ruth's crab cakes a second try (not having loved them the first time around). They were much better, for those of you who care.

Kate also got her first manicure & pedicure (pink nails with white flowers). During the procedure, she held perfectly still. Everyone in the salon got quite a kick out of her. When she was finished, there was some pretty heavy eyelid batting going on (which is something she does when she thinks she looks like a princess).

Kate probably enjoyed the pool most. She loved having her daddy throw her up and down in the pool, she also liked the "hot bath." Kate really suprised me this weekend. I've always known she was a little talker, but some of things that came out of her mouth this trip were so grown-up.

It was a fun vacation for our whole family of three. Dave planned it all. No suprise there...he always plans the good stuff. The Vietnamese woman at the salon told me, "You have a good husband." Don't I know it.

Kate's New Pics

Just a few of many cute pictures. Isn't Kate a cutie?

***http://photographybysteph.com

ARRR!!!!

Well, Pirate Island has arrived in Utah County. Kate took us there last night to check it out. Initially, she was a little scared of the darkness. But once she discovered the games, the playground, and a really big slide she was sold. After cashing in $11 worth of tickets, she even got her own pirate sword (which she's been napping with ever since). I'm not so sure her parents would agree, but Kate thought the place was pretty awesome.