Kevin Teaching Darren

We just got home from Rexburg where we had a great visit with Darren and his family, and with Pecks, Les & Gay and Norma. Here is a picture of Kevin teaching Darren how to play a video game. Smart kids now days! We spent Friday night with the Pecks, and while there, went to our old house on Dorian Ave. Sue and Andy were excited to see us and show us around the house. They have done major remodling inside and it looks awesome. One of the major changes is they removed the Lava Rock Fire Place. The back yard was landscaped beautifully. We spent the day with Darren and Susan and family. Ethan was excited because Grandma pitched a baseball to him, and he hit it. He was thrilled. Kevin also hit some. Jacob just sat there being cute and good like he always does. We looked at Darren's Photo Show,which was awesome. Les and Gay and the Pecks joined us. They liked it also. We learned that Norma had fallen and broken her Pelvis while in Idaho Falls. She got in her car an drove herself home. She spent over a week in the hospital and rehabilitation. She is still recovering and is in losts of pain. We visited with her also. We had a great trip. Thanks everyone!

Pat's Pink Lemonade Ice Cream Cake

We had a request for our delicious pink lemonade ice cream cake so, here it is:

Prepare a regular yellow or white cake from a cake mix. Bake it in two 9" round cake pans. Remove from pans and cool. Line a 9" round cake pan with foil. Take one quart of softened vanilla ice cream, stir in 1/3 cup of thawed pink lemonade frozen concentrate (undiluted), and 5-6 drops of red food coloring. Spread that in the foil lined cake pan. Freeze for 2-3 hours until firm. Place a cake layer on a serving plate, then the ice cream layer, then the second cake layer. Whip one cup of whipping cream, 2 tablespoons of sugar, and 1/3 cup of thawed pink lemonade concentrate. Then frost sides and top of cake with the whipped cream mixture. Place in freezer for at least one hour. Then serve and enjoy.

This is our favorite son's favorite cake. (By the way, Darren typed this).

Last Day of Winter!

Today is March 19th, and the last day of Winter, and Winter is holding on for dear life right up to the last minute. This is what was happening this morning. We're hoping that tomorrow, the first day of Spring brings a change in the weather.

It's Done!

It IS done (except for a couple of minor touch-up things)! And (to quote Carl) "It looks dang good!" We went to RC Willey, had a hot dog and Coke (free, you see), and purchased a new computer ensemble. Bummer, though, it is back-ordered and won't get here until April 15. So, when that gets delivered we'll post a shot of the finished office. In the meantim, we'll try to find something other than this project to post. However, we are thinking of doing the living room....

Moulding Is Up

Through a team effort we got all the moulding up along the ceiling and around the window. Now all that's left is to fill the nail holes and caulk (Carl's job--Pat's as bad with caulk as she is with paint--gets it all over--this is Pat speaking!). Carl looks mad in this photo, but he really isn't--just looking buff and manly from all that construction stuff! We understand that RC Willey is having a big sale tomorrow with free hot dogs and soda, so we will probably go check out office furniture--something like Mike and Kim have.

Wierd Plants

Today being Sunday, can't do any painting, etc., so decided to take some photos to add to today's blog. We've included two pictures today. One is of a Christmas Castus. This strange cactus doesn't seem to know when Christmas is; hence, it blooms in October, and there is another bud on the plant now. The other is a picture of a weird cactus-type which a neighbor gave us a start of. We stuck it in a pot about two years ago, and it has done quite well. As you will note, it has sprung a "baby" out the side of the mother plant. We're proud!

Chevrolet Impala Pickup

Here is a picture of us bringing moulding home from Lowe's. We converted the car into a pickup. I finished all the painting of the walls today in the office. Trying to make one wall look like granite was a challenge... not quite sure if it looks like granite or not. Oh well

So Close

One more story about painting the office. When I finished putting the first coat of paint on, I said "I hope we have enough paint to finish the 2nd coat." So, by the time I got the 2nd coat on, we had to scrape the paint can with a spatula to get every bit. As you can see from the pictures, the can is empty and the paint tray has no more paint in it. And, we were able to complete the job. NICE

Working Late

I (Carl) had to work late tonight until about 8:30 PM. And I started at 8:00 AM. Had to stay for an employee issue. Anyway, as a result of staying late and getting home at 9:00 PM, I was not able to do anymore painting. Pat was a good wife, and had taken the garbage out (something I hate doing), and cleared the snow from the front sidewalk due to the blizzard we had today.

The Painting has Begun

The first coat of paint went on the walls in the office tonight. Tomorrow, we should be able to get the 2nd coat on. Then we just have the one wall that will look like granite to do plus the moulding at the ceiling and around the windows. I painted all the walls and got just a bit of paint on my hands. Pat painted around two outlets and had quite a bit of paint on herself. That is why I do the painting. I think she does it on purpose. What do you think?

Blowing Bubbles

A good way to keep the grandkids entertained while we are tending them. Carrie and Sam had some church meeting to attend. You have to realize that yesterday morning (March 4th) there was snow on the ground. The kids didn't seem to mind that it was cold outside, however, Pat kept wanting to go inside because it was cold, but Parker would have nothing to do with that. Eventually, she talked them into coming inside where it was warm. If you don't already know, Pat is a "warm" type person.

Grandma & Grandpa's Big Surprise

These two pulled this surprise announcement off like pros! We were down visiting when Curtis casually said, "Come see the room we just painted." We walked in and were not only greeted by an incredible paint job, but the blue and pink balloons and little framed photo of Shandy's ultrasound with "It's A Baby" as the title. You should have heard us yell, holler, and cry (Shandy and Pat were the criers). Now, just hang in there Shandy...

Pussywillows And Snow

Ah yes--some days it's spring, some days it's winter! Our weeping pussywillow had just budded out, then we had a light snowfall last night. It's all gone, now, however. Gorgeous day. Our tulips and daffodils are also peeking through.

The Office Project Begins

These photos show the home office just prior to the "fix-up" project. First thing on the agenda is to put shelves in the closet and patch the holes and gouges in the wall. Right now the whole room is very white, but that will change soon! We plan to paint one wall to look like granite (dark green). The rest of the room will be in a lighter shade of gray/green. We also plan to put molding at the ceiling (not crown molding). Trust us, it will be awesome...we are pretty sure, anyway.