Saturday, January 31, 2009

Progress report

These pictures show the front of the Schvaneveldt home from two different angles on two different days during the week after the plastic bubble was removed. As you can see, the stucco is finished. Since these pictures were taken, dark brown soffit/facia (however you spell it and whatever you call it) have been installed. Dark brown shutters will be on each of the windows. Dark red brick will go along the front. Inside, the texturing is done, the wood flooring and tiling are complete, doors are hung and they're working on mouldings & trim. I don't know what comes next. It seems like some of the work has been done in the wrong order, but I presume they know what they are doing.


Pinewood Derby Champion

Grandson Jayse Johnson, age 8, was undefeated in the College Ward Pinewood Derby. There were 26 contestants. He and his dad, Bryan, received help and pointers from Uncle Brandon, who is a pinewood derby freak. If you need help or secrets for a car to beat the competition, contact Brandon.

Jayse was the only contestant who received an award...a trophy stand for his car. It says:
1st Place
College Ward
2009
Jayse came over to show us his speedy car and what he won. Way to go, Jayse!!!! We're proud of you! (I wasn't able to capture his usual charming smile, and those valentine boxes look like Mickey Mouse ears.)

Sunday, January 25, 2009

38th Wedding Anniversary




This is the scene as we got up and were ready to leave for church. The fat snowflakes are shown in contrast to the back fence and the shop.




Today is our 38th Wedding Anniversary. We celebrated by going to church. So exciting! Actually, last night we got something to eat at Arctic Circle (now that's really exciting) and then went to a movie. The last movie we saw was a year ago in Tucson. We are just a boring couple. We'll just have to say we are going on a fifteen day Hawaiian cruise for our anniversary.

This morning there was a snowstorm with big flakes. When we got married it was cold but a beautiful, blue skied day. We got married in the Logan Temple during Reed's semester break at Washington State University, so we made our first home in Pullman, Washington. We moved 8 times in 4 years and settled in Millville, Utah, where we lived nearly 30 years. For the past 4 years we have lived in Nibley, Utah.

We had 5 daughters in just under 8 years. I can't believe we will soon be a family of 30! Reed and I served in the Logan Temple for 2 years and on a mission at Heber Valley Camp for 6 months. Besides our family and the church, we enjoy reading, boating, fishing, 4-wheeling, hiking, eating out, gardening, bird-watching and traveling.

Saturday, January 24, 2009

Courtney's (& grandma's) quilt project

Courtney & Hailey got flannel fabric, yarn and batting for Christmas. After sewing the fabric together, we put Courtney's quilt on the frames downstairs. The quilting frames were constructed by Reed's Grandpa Ransom...Courtney's Great-great grandfather. I wonder how many quilts have been made on them.


Courtney after she cut the ties to a uniform size

Close-up of the 'Sweet Treats' flannel
The backing and yarn ties are brown


The binding still needs to be done, but it is still warm and cozy on a dreary, rainy day. Kaden must have liked the finished product because he asked me if he could make one too. Time to get Hailey's quilt set up.

Thursday, January 22, 2009

Who is moving?

We have 2 daughters, 2 sons-in-law, 4 granddaughters and 3 grandsons who will be moving in the next few months. Obviously, one family is Jill's. Who else? I don't know if I should announce the other one so I'll wait. But their home will hopefully go on the market next week.

The Schvaneveldt home is under the bubble. On the outside, the roof has been shingled, the garage doors are on and stucco is mostly done. Inside, the sheetrock, taping and texturing are finished, the bathroom cultured marble is partially done, and tile floors and paint will be next. Things are on schedule. Everything looks great!


These pics are really dark but they looked worse with the flash on. The problem is that we can't go through the house while the workers are there and by the time they leave, it's dark. Sometimes we have toured by flashlight.


These two pictures are taken from under the bubble on the deck on the back of the house. They show the stucco job.


Wednesday, January 21, 2009

MEXICO

We went for a winter get-away to Nuevo Vallarta, Mexico from January 10-17. It was wonderful to get away from the cold and snow. The temperature was perfect. We didn't do a lot but we sure enjoyed relaxing. The time passed too quickly. The following several posts are pictures of our vacation. This post is of all the miscellaneous shots which didn't fit in with the other post titles.





Banyan tree


We went on a tour and finished at this restaurant which is about 2/3's up and just right of center in this picture. I had shrimp and Reed had Mahi-mahi.





Flea market - We wandered a bunch of these but we aren't big spenders



Watching dolphins



Church in Puerto Vallarta



Our tour included this Catholic church




Domed brick ceiling inside a hotel



Full moon on 1/10/09



MEXICO...resort grounds, trees & flowers


















MEXICO...Rythmns of the Night


We went by boat to Las Caletas. I forgot to wear my sea bands and I felt a little queasy. There is no electricity there. Everything was lit by torches and candles. The use of cameras was banned during the program as it is copyrighted. Of course they want you to purchase their CD. Here are a few pictures before and after the program. We had a tasty meal by candlelight. This experience reminded me a little of a Maori program and dinner we had in New Zealand.












As we pulled away from shore for the boat ride back to Nuevo Vallarta, this is the scene we saw of the torches on the banks and the reflections on the water.

One thing we haven't liked about going out on boats for activities during our vacations is the fact that they usually have an 'open bar.' The cost of all the drinks is included in the price of the event ticket. That is why the events cost so much and, in essence, we pay for other people to get drunk. I have heard these excursions referred to as a 'booze cruise.' This picture shows all the 'happy, dancing, noisy, swinging, drinkers' on the front deck of the boat on the trip back.

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

MEXICO...animal life

Okay, these aren't living creatures but we did see real ones surfacing when we were at the beach. We didn't see any whales but there had been a few sightings.



We saw quite a few iguanas wandering around the resort.



Reed spotted this coral snake as we walked along a path to a jungle cafe.



This turtle was 'sunbathing' on a rock in a pond.