There is a lot going on at home in Michigan for my parents. Everything from remodeling the house to getting another house ready to rent to taking care of my grandmother that had her third surgery in a year. I was determined to make this a nice relaxing vacation for them. I tried to get BYU football homecoming tickets to quickly get their minds off things going on at home. Unfortunately BYU was doing great at the beginning of the season and tickets were sold out before I could get any for a reasonable price. But we did go down to campus to get a taste of the excitement.

We got them shirts thinking we'd be at the game and they wore them anyway despite the lack of tickets. We planned to go somewhere to watch the game but they didn't have it on and when we finally found a place to watch it we didn't WANT to watch it anymore. They lost PATHETICALLY. So much for a great start to the vacation.

The rest of the week was a blur of activity. Family dinner on Sunday. I resisted making a list of things that we could use help with in the house but little by little they began to find projects around the house to complete. These are just a few

Harvesting ( and ultimately cleaning out )the garden before the snow flew

Included in the harvest were the nectarines from the blasted nectarine tree that NEVER RIPENED! ( and still haven't for that matter ) I have to say that the axe may be coming for it next year unless things change.

Fixing leaks in the kitchen that we didn't even know that we had

Working miracles with our cloudy glasses

Cleaning out and organizing the pantry.

Installing and reinstalling towel bars rings and other bathroom hardware

Amazing chalk drawings on the driveway


I'm telling you who ever drew these has a serious future as an artist or at least an illustrator! ;)

Sugar cookies made and frosted...and eaten. Sorry no picture available. :)

Hyrum's room reorganized to put in his new bed and figure out how we're going to get a twin sized bed and crib into one room.

Thermostat MOVED!!
The rectangle on the wall on the right is where it used to be. Right in the middle ( although not centered ) of the wall completely making the wall unusable for artwork. He moved it over to where he's standing. It was no small project. My dad is a genius and very determined.

The tools. What's even more amazing to me is that you'd have no idea where it had previously been after he'd textured and painted the wall. Unfortunately we've been slow to put up the art work since we have a table invisioned for that wall too and we don't have that yet.

A new living room fan installed
Here's a refresher of what the OLD one looked like
We like the new one much better.

The night before they left they were even trying to start new projects like putting a light in our pantry
This may not find it's completion until my parents are back in Feb for another "relaxing" visit.

Thank you Mom and Dad! We love you!!


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5 comments:

    Laurie said...

    Hmmmm, I'm wondering if they would like to be snowbirds in El Paso. I promise I won't have a written list either!

  1. ... on November 14, 2009 at 6:31 AM  
  2. Kyle and Amy Brinkerhoff said...

    I can't believe I was at your house and didn't even notice the changes. The ceiling fan looks great.

  3. ... on November 14, 2009 at 2:20 PM  
  4. Harrisons said...

    The ceiling fan is awesome ... and I'm so jealous of the light in the pantry. I've lived here for over 4 years and been begging for one the whole time. My husband (who made it half way through electrician school so has the skills) just hasn't gotten around to it yet. Hmmm, maybe that is what I should ask for for Christmas!

  5. ... on November 15, 2009 at 9:34 PM  
  6. Pam said...

    Just wish we could've been there longer. It was so much fun! Next time...

  7. ... on November 22, 2009 at 8:46 PM  
  8. Unknown said...

    that's the cutest snowman-

  9. ... on December 1, 2009 at 9:51 PM