Fam Pics

Dust, Dust and More Dust

If you can't catch by the title, our house has been a little dusty of late. Starting the last week of September, Mark ripped out our kitchen cabinets and discovered that we had mold. It wasn't a big ordeal to get the mold out but it wasn't something that was planned in our kitchen remodeling. But Mark worked really hard and got the cabinets out and the moldy wall replaced all in a day.

However with no kitchen, we had a few days of eating dinner at Grandma and Papa Foote's house, cooking in the microwave or toaster-oven, and doing dishes in the bathroom sink.

(I really missed my kitchen sink!!!) Then on Thursday of the same week, cabinet installers came and installed our cabinets in one day. We loved that but not the dust that was leftover.

The installers were very careful and cleaned up well but there is no way to control dust as it filters in every direction. In the end after cleaning up dust, dust, and more dust, Mark put in a temporary sink and hooked back up the stove and dishwasher. Yeah! I have a sink again!

We lived with the temporary kitchen until the week of the 12th when the guys came to install the countertops. The countertops are gorgeous and the guys did an amazing job but yet again there is dust! However, this dust took two days to clean up and is still evident in places even though I have cleaned and cleaned that spot. The granite dust is just super fine and went everywhere!!

In the end the kitchen is done and looks beautiful!

Before!

After!

But now on to the back yard!..........

With winter coming, Mark is trying to get the backyard hole filled in so we can plant grass. He rented a tractor to scoop all the dirt that he dug out into a dump-trailer (that didn't dump once at the dump so him, his friend and my dad had to shovel it out by hand). NOT FUN! He also order good dirt to fill in the hole. This dirt removal and dirt filling-in took the whole day. Thank you Dad and Cody for helping!

Tessa is 15months now and talking a lot. I got to be home this week with her because of October break at school and I loved it.

Home Improvements

So the last few weeks have been filled with home improvement projects! WHAT FUN!! We bought new kitchen cabinets, are trying to get the backyard fixed up, and painters come tomorrow to paint the outside of the house.

The kitchen cabinets are very old and need to be updated but the house really needs to be repainted. Mark said he would rather install cabinets than paint the house so that is the game plan. Mark plans to install the cabinet himself (we know someone who can give him some pointers) and by the end of the week the house will freshly painted. I am thrilled about the house but not looking forward to the amount of time it will take to get the old cabinets out, new cabinets in, and the counter tops on but I know that the kitchen will look amazing once its done. I just really want the kitchen done before the holidays.

The backyard is another project WE get to do! When we first saw the house there was a broken-down underground spa in the backyard. The bank had someone break it out and we were so happy that we didn't have to do it. But there was some re-bare exposed and as we dug down to cut it we discovered that what had been broken out was just tossed inside the spa. Mark with a little help from me and ours dads dug all the dirt out. You could imagine all the junk that was thrown inside instead of hauled away.

Tessa is getting bigger and getting really good at climbing. She has been sick the past week and half with a cold and cough and on Friday we found out that she has an ear infection. Our nights have not been so restful.

Getting into the Groove of Things

Well, summer is over for me! Back to Work! It was been a little stressful organizing our schedules for who drops of Tessa and picks her up. But Mark is a big help and my mom tries to help when possible. Luckily Tessa is with two really great people while we're at work!

Before I went back to work, we went camping. Tessa LOVED to be outside and in the DIRT. The first night sleeping was hard and long after almost two hours crying ( i don't know if it was b/c it was a strange place or she was cold) she finally slept but mom and dad sort of slept. Grandma and Grandpa O had lots of fun with her.

Are You Comfy?

This is how I found Tessa when I checked on her during nap time! She eventually turned herself around and fell asleep.

Birthday Fun

So Tessa is officially one year old. We celebrated on the 4th by going swimming at my aunt's house and having dinner. It was warm at 4:00pm when we started (next year I'll know to start later) but it was really fun. The pool felt great! Tessa got clothes, a movie, toys and more toys all of which she enjoys.

I attempted to make her a ladybug cake and it turned out okay for my first attempt at making a cute cake. She wasn't so sure about eating it. She really just put her hands and feet in it. However, she did like the cookies on it.

1st Birthday

Where has the time gone?

A week from this Saturaday Tessa will be 1 year old.

We can't believe it!

Getting Settled

Well We have been moved in for a couple of weeks now and the dust in finally starting to settle. I still can't find the drawer with the spoons when I need one but it won't be long now before I figure it all out. the house is coming together nicely all the pictures and other decoration are up and there are really no more major project for the inside of the house. The outside is another issue though, We have spent the last couple of nights cutting bushes and trees and we even took a big load to the dump. It is starting to come together, but it is getting hot so some of those projects might have to wait.

Tessa is getting more independent everyday. She has decided that she can climb and now when the step stool come out she thinks it is a must to climb it. We took her to the park the other day and she decided to climb the stairs on the jungle gym as well. She has also discovered a new game, which we don't know where it come from because neither Tara or I have ever played it with her. she will act like she is going to hand you something, and then right before you grab she will turn around and run away (giggling the whole time). It quite cute.

Tara is enjoying being home for the summer and is trying new things with Tessa, they just started going to a music class at the library. But Tara has discovered the "Twilight" books and she is already on the third book and she started last week. Getting settled in Scottsdale has been hard because we are going into our busiest time of the year, but I have really enjoyed working with the people there and I have a great staff. We do a theme each year for the pools and my pool's theme this year is the 80's. They do a costume contest each year so even though I Hate dressing up, i took one for the team and dresses as the guys from Miami Vice. ( I only put that in because Tara would have posted the picture anyway).

Unpacking a New House

On Saturday, Mark, Tessa, and I moved into our 1st house. We were able to move everything in one day with the help of parents, Mark's brother Jacob and Mark's friend Cody. (The pics are of Mark and Tessa practicing their moving skills.) We love the extra space and it is nice but weird to come home to a place where you don't have to share the parking spaces. I have begun hanging up things and decorating because I can't stand to be unorganized. Mark's mom was impressed that I was able to organize my kitchen before everyone left on Sat. Tessa loves the new house and all the extra moving room. She walks everywhere and has said goodbye to crawling.

Besides moving on Sat. Mark started his new job in Scottsdale on Tues. He is really excited for the new opportunities that Scottsdale holds for him.

Tessa and I start swimming lessons on Monday at Kino.

Nuestra Casa (Our House)!

Well, if the rumors have not gotten to you by now, then you must be living under a rock, because within five minutes of walking in to the church building this morning about half the congregation knew we have just purchased our first home! Tara and i have been trying to keep it under wraps until everything was finalized, and we did pretty good on not telling anyone.

We got our keys on Friday and have been busy last night and today trying to get everything going so that we can move in later in the month. We are going to be painting, replacing some doors, and putting in fans. It is mostly cosmetic stuff but we want to do it before we get in or it will never get done. We will post later with our adventure in projects.

Sorry we don't have a picture of the outside but here are some pics of the inside.

PS. HOLY CRAP!!!!! Tessa will be 10 months tomorrow!

Easter and all its fun

Well, Easter has come and gone. We had a very busy Easter day between church and three different places to be all before bedtime. Tessa had been sick on that Friday but fortunately felt better on Sunday. She wasn't 100% but she was a good girl and made it through the day. She looked so pretty in her dress and her bow (my first attempt at bow making) was liked by all. The Easter bunny brought Tessa a little walk-n-ride bike and books. Thank goodness for theONCE UPON A CHILD store!!

The Friday that Tessa got sick was the same day as her 9mo. check up. I'm happy to report that she is a healthy 21.6lbs and 29in. long. Tessa was very brave when they gave her her shot and checked her iron. She didn't cry!

Mark is really busy with the city of mesa and I am so looking forward to a nice if not long weekend. We also have a busy and exciting upcoming May so every minute of relaxation is appreciated.

Tessa = Adventure

Family Fun

So I have completely enjoyed my spring break! I loved being home with Tessa for the week and am looking forward to the summer time. To start my break off my mom and I had a garage sale. While setting out signs, I was able to get my last piece of bedroom furniture; my mirror. I found the mirror at another garage sale. I paid $5 for it and it looks great! That night Mark and I went to the Temple and dinner. It was nice to go out by ourselves and we need to be better about attending the Temple.

Mark worked really hard this week (9-5) training kids to lifeguard but we were able to have the evenings and Saturday to be together. We did a picnic at Freestone Park on Saturday and fed the ducks. It was a beautiful day! I got some fun pictures of Tessa. She is getting so big and has found her voice. She goes around the house yelling mama but I don't know if she's wanting me or just yelling. She is doing really well with her eating and for the most part is on a good schedule.

After the park, Mark made an above ground sprinkler system for our small backyard. He wanted the grass to be nice so that Tessa could play in it. He cut down all the weeds/grass and has new grass seed and fertilizer to put down. But Mark said that if he was going to do the grass he wanted to do the sprinkler system. I said go for it but keep it under $50. The sprinkler system and cutting the grass took about 2 hours but looks good and works well.

Spring break was fun and relaxing. I am ready to get the school year over so I can be home again with Tessa during the day but not quite ready to go back to work. Isn't that how is always goes?

Clicking and Waving

Our newest tricks!

Where does the time GO!

Life is busy, exciting, and changing. Mark and I are staying very busy working and running after Tessa. Mark is working at the city and putting in some late nights training lifeguards. March is a crazy month for me at work. Everything seems to be due!! Tessa is as beautiful and happy as ever. She is crawling faster, eating baby food, getting another tooth, and thinking about standing. Besides the crazies life is wodnerful and beautiful and we have so much to be thankful for that I wouldn't change anything. I'll be glad when April comes and is less crazy. I'm also looking forward to summer. Not the heat but Mark and I would like for me to stay at home. As of right now, Mark will work full-time and I'll get to be with Tessa. I hope that our plan works out.

New Experiences

Well, Mark's wish of wanting Tessa to crawl has come true. She is officially a crawler and into everything. Each day she gets a little faster. Tessa has also decided that she is big enough to pull herself up and will try it on just about anything. Mark is regretting his wish at this point and I feel it will only get worst.

Tessa had her 6 month check-up and is growing like a weed. She is a healthy 19.3 lbs. and 26 in. long. Tessa loves to play in mommy and daddy's room. She is usually happy. Tessa makes us laugh and smile all the time. She has started baby food as of Monday and so far likes squash. Its funny to watch her make faces.

Mark and I celebrated our 4 year anniversary on Jan. 7th. We went out to dinner and a movie while Tessa played with grammy and papa. I can't believe how fast the time has gone by. Mark and I think that in four years together that we have accomplished a lot; both graduated ASU, got jobs, became parents, and lost a job (Mark's still looking); but through it all we love each other more than on the day we got married.