New Dining Room

I have spent the last few weeks "re-purposing" our dining room and dining room furniture.  The table got a good sanding and the chairs got painted and stained.  

Here is a close-up on the project hutch

We got the hutch at a youth yard sale.  I wish I had a before picture-- the youth were selling at a neighborhood sale to pay for camp.  There were several donations and the hutch was one of those donations.  At the end of the yard sale it hadn't sold and I told the YW president that I would take it. I paid $25 for it.   It was in ill repair to say the least.  I thought that I would use the bottom part for a dresser for one of the boys.  When I started sanding and staining it I fell in love with it and decided I wanted it in the dining room.  Joseph (bless his heart) and Connor helped with the board and batten on the walls.  Connor ran the nail gun and was really good at it.  He will be my go to guy on my next project.  

The is a before picture.



Here's the after.....I love it!

Ithaca Science Center

Our last trip to the Ithaca Science center.  The kids had a great time playing with cousins and investigating all the cool things that the science center has to offer.

First day of school

Everyone was all smiles yesterday for the 1st day of school.

10-9-8-7-6  wow!

Connor 4th grade

Andy 4th grade

Lily - 3rd grade

Benjamin 2nd grade

Alec 1st grade

The bus driver commented that she calls our group "the long line".

Mount Rushmore

Mt. Rushmore was one of the highlights of our trip west. It is a bucket list item for sure, but we loved the scenery, the history, and the experience.  We even got some decent pictures there....here are the best.

Benjamin comparing the profiles with the pictures of the presidents on a $1 and $5 dollar bill.

There was a motorcycle rally going on at the same time we were their and a nice biker took this photo.  I feel so blessed to live in this country and so lucky to share my life with this guy!

 

 

 

 

Our trip West (in no particular order)

We had a marvelous trip West this summer. The kids and camper held up and we are so grateful for the adventure. Here are some of the highlights.

Mammoth Hot Springs; Northern Yellowstone

We just kept going up and up and up

but the scenery was stunning and so worth the drive

some of the kids at the Old Faithful Inn

At the Old Faithful Inn lobby

Lily loved the accommodations

Mammoth Hot Springs

Mammoth Hot Springs area

Lily with Geysers at Yellowstone

Lily at Mammoth Hot Springs

It alternated rain and sun so we were a little bit worse for wear but Mammoth Hot Springs was terrific non the less.

What a view

Connor in Yellowstone

Alec

Lily Bean

Yellowstone tower falls and the kiddos

Andy at tower falls

Yellowstone Canyon are at it's finest.  What a beautiful place!

We loved the Buffalo!

The Boys at Craters of the Moon

The whole gang

Andy relaxing at Grandma's

Our new favorite missionary!

Grandma and Grandpa Ward

Strike a pose

Connor at Karney Lake

Beth and Dennis relaxing

Diane and Karen (the game octopus at it's finest)

Maybe this is octopus at it's finest

The kids in Utah at Joseph's Grandparent's grave

Cody WY

traveling fun