What have we been up to? Let me tell you...

WARNING: THIS COULD GET LONG

Most of our time has been spent in our basement. We are finally finished taping, mudding, and texturing. Now it's on to painting and putting in cabinets in the kitchen. It's fun to be doing things that actually make noticeable differences when we're finished. It makes the work more rewarding and it's easier to talk yourself into going down there and doing it.

We're also grateful for all of the help that we have been getting. It's good that Jasmine and the kids don't mind getting dirty because we can't seem to stay clean when we paint.
Even Michael got into the painting. We let all the kids help on the primer coat. They were so proud of themselves.

Michael has been having quite the month. He had another moment that proves once again that he is my son. I had to giggle when Levi called me in to witness this scene.

This small bag of candy has begun to cause quite the drama in Michael's life. He has been showing some interest in being potty trained, so we let him pick out a treat at the store that he could have every time he went to the bathroom in the toilet. He gets one for trying to go to the bathroom and two if he actually goes. When he starts running into the bathroom to try just to get the candy then he doesn't get any. This last rule led to the next picture.

Here is Michael sitting on his toilet for about half an hour. He was pretty determined to sit there until he had earned his candy. It wasn't happening, so we finally bribed him with a movie to give up for the night. Major props to Michael though for the effort.

Here is Liam during his bath. This is pretty typical of his facial expression during his whole bath every time I bathe him. He hates to have a bath. He screams like I am torturing him. It's totally opposite from Michael who loved to have baths.

And here is my sanity. Sometimes looking forward to this is all that gets me through our totally hectic, crazy and wonderful life. I hope you all are as lucky as we are.

Down Sizin'

I am forewarning anybody who is about to read this post by telling you this is Levi. As some, if not most, of you might know I am kind of a nut. A month or two ago I sold my beloved Jeep Cherokee Chief. It had been in my family for about nine years. I became the first in my family to own it after my older sister split up with her first husband and some how I got screwed out of my truck. My dear father took pity on my vehicle less state and bought me a 1983 Jeep Cherokee Chief. I drove it until I realized I could not afford to feed it. I then grudgingly sold it to my father, who put a lot of cool stuff on it then sold it to my older brother. My older brother then sold it to my younger brother, who drove it like it was stolen and left it for dead in my dad's yard. Until I returned home from my mission I was once again vehicle less. I purchased the old beast from my younger brother. Reunited once again at long last. I spent countless hours and enumerable dollars reviving the beast. I have had the thing since.

I have many fond memories of wheelin' and wrenchin' with the ol'girl, but alas! In the end I sold it to some one outside of my family. It was a tear filled event (mostly Cassie's tears.) Now you may be thinking why in tarnation is Levi telling me this terribly sad story. Well, my friends it is so I can share some wonderful news with you. We have received an adventurous new member to our family.

Tada! Isn't she so pertty! She doesn't have a name yet, but I am open for suggestions. When I bought her a few days ago she had some issues, but what new addition doesn't. We have worked out most of the bugs (mostly spiders) and are ready to go wheelin'. Whose up for a ride!