Happy Holidays!

Well, I know I hardly post these days, and honestly I don't see myself doing much better especially when our 2nd baby comes in late spring. So, thank you to the few of you who check in every now and again. We just wanted to say a quick "Happy Holidays" to you and your family.

This was our Christmas photo this year. It took us a long time to get a somewhat decent picture of our family. And trying to get a smile out of Taylor for a picture is not an easy task. But this is a pretty classic and standard expression on her face most of the time. I guess she's just keepin in real.

Taylor is starting to become my "big helper." She enjoyed helping me put up our Christmas. We've stayed in a lot this month, mostly because of the winter weather that has finally rolled in and because Taylor got sick with croup. That was not fun and so sad, but we're glad she's better and that we won't miss any of our fun family festivities!

Levi found these cowboy boots at the D.I. and he couldn't wait to try them on Taylor. So spoiled!
Taylor loves swinging in the kitchen. And she absolutely loves her "baby" to be close by.

Here is our little trouble maker. Other mischief she enjoys includes: playing in Avery's water bowl, eating his food, splashing in the toilet, and pulling our small Christmas tree down. I think her personality is growing faster than she is! She is getting super funny and makes us so happy!

Now, finally a smile! I sure love seeing her big pearly's when she smiles big. We are excited for Christmas and Taylor's 1st birthday on the 26th! Again, Merry Christmas and the best wishes for the new year!

West Jordan Home Renovation

I had so much fun looking at the before and after picts of the home we flipped on Macarthur Ave (and we have officially closed - yahoo!) that I have been working on getting pictures ready of the West Jordan home renovation Levi worked on late spring/early summer. This was a huge project as it is a pretty good size home that needed a LOT of work. After Levi's dad purchased the home at the court house, Levi & Paul couldn't wait to get to work! Hope you like what you see!

The outside of the home didn't need a ton of work, mostly a little TLC and cleanup. Vinyl accessories were added along with all the black accents.



Huge yard huh! This home sits on half an acre, some of which is horse property. The yard needed a little bit of care and Levi/Paul also added a new deck.



This is the entry/formal family room. Levi/Paul installed hardwood flooring. And of course the home received new paint throughout.


Now for the biggest makeover of the house (and my personal favorite room)! The kitchen was in rough shape so it was gutted all the way down to the floor joists because of water damage. All new cabinets, granite installed by Ryan Tolbert's company Granite For Less, stainless appliances & new electrical by Clair, and the tile backsplash (Levi is a pro at this tiling thing - he even has good taste, I think).




This is a view of the living room from the kitchen. All new carpet was installed. This room leads to the deck and backyard.


This is the main floor bathroom and laundry area. Again, all new flooring, vanity, fixtures, granite, etc.


Now we're upstairs looking at kid bedroom #1


Kid bedroom #2.


Kids bathroom. Levi can really makeover a bathroom.


This is the master bedroom. I think these guys had a thing for purple - ew.


This is the master bath. I posted quite a few picts to get all the right angles. Again, Levi was busy tiling in here. Great job!






So that completes the tour! There is also an unfinished basement with the potential for 1-2 bedrooms, 1 bath, and a family room. Here are a few of my favorite picts. Levi hard at work in the kitchen and Taylor playing in some of her favorite places. Overall this was a fun project and a great experience. Unfortunately this home still sits vacant waiting for the right family to find it. I hope Levi's 450 hours of sweat will pay off soon! Great job honey!

Let's go play in the Cold!!

So, Levi and I had our 2nd anniversary back in July. Well for our combined gift, Levi surprises me by pulling out this file folder with the picture just below on it and he has written, "We are going to go play in the Cold!"

I'm a little baffled at this point, but I proceed to look through the information he has gathered about a 2 week trip on an icebreaker ship to Antarctica! I'm thinking, "What in the H is this all about?" Levi continues the excitement by telling me all about this trip we are going to take. And I'm thinking, "We have a little baby now, what was he thinking!" And then I'm thinking, "I know I worked in Alaska for 6 summers...did I tell him I wanted to do something like this?" Panic is starting to wash over me as I also think, "I know I kind of surprised him with a trip to Belize, but we had at least talked about it. And it wasn't over $10,000! And we didn't have a new baby!" Luckily, he quickly saw the fear on my face and told me it was a joke, that we were actually going to the Coldplay concert in November! Wahoo!! What relief and excitement! Anyway, we waited 4 months for this night and we were not disappointed. Last Saturday was the concert and it was a blast! At one point they came and played a song in the audience and we were about 20 feet from them. We found out on Thanksgiving that Levi's cousin was at the concert and was handed a guitar pick!! Unfortunately I left our camera in Taylor's diaper bag (she had her first sleepover at Grandma Ernest's house) so we don't have any picts of us but here are a few of the band. Hummmmm, I wonder what we'll do next anniversary!

When Daddy's in Charge.....

When Levi is left in charge of Taylor, I never know what I will come home to! Levi is a very creative and inventive Daddy and Taylor loves him sooooo sooooo much! There is nothing cuter than seeing her face light up when he comes home from work! Here are a few things I watch these two doing.

This is Taylor as a bank robber. What made him think to put my nylons on Taylor's head, I will never know. But I laughed till I cried when I saw these pictures :)

I love her expressionless face.

Hey, Daddy....there is a bucket stuck on my head!

Did you not hear me the first time. Hey, Daddy!....there is a bucket stuck on my head!! Stop taking pictures and help me out, will ya?!

My cousie pushing me around in grandma's shopping cart.

I am really starting to feel a little cramped in here!

Now, this is a spoiled little girl. Who gets to have their outside swing brought indoors in the winter time?! I have to admit, it's perfect when I'm cooking!

It's even better when all your friends can come swing with you!