August 2026

The house remodel didn't get finished until late Friday night.  So we had all day Saturday to move in furniture and clean up all the dust.  It was a little miracle to make it to Sams club on Saturday night when I relized Costco was closed and I had to buy food for 150 people.  Thanks to the Rupps for being in the right place when I needed them and their Sams club membership.  Tyler spoke.  It was lovely.  Abby and Lindsey Lee Pope (favorite piano teacher of all time) played How Great Thou Art.  We had lovely food and visiting after he spoke.  So much love and support from so many people to make it work.  We all crashed and slept for a few hours after everyone left.  Then we woke up the next day to head to St George for a few quiet days.  We did the VRG zipline and canyon.  Ran up "The Stairs/Dragons Tail).  Got some good icecream.  Watched movies and played in the Lagoon.  

Aunt Linda had a birthday. She loves Chuckarama.  The college boys and all hte kids really loved all the food.  Ella has been going over to Lindas house once a week to help her with projects.  That makes me so happy. 

We made it up to the Cabin for a few days.  Biking. Lake Day. More biking.  Puzzles.  Swing.  Ella also has many friends getting their mission calls and leaving on missions.  She is filling in her papers right now.  

I loved every moment we had all together.  Sitting in the living room talking, chilling on Abbys bed, going on family walks.  I know those times wont last forever.  

BYU or Bust... Moving in

 Abby got a treat box ready for Tyler and Ella.  She found all kinds of things they might enjoy to snack on.  The day before we moved them we went to Walmart.  Tyler and Ella had a 30$ budget of my money to spend on their groceries.  Its awesome to see them pick out food they will eat and think through their meals.  They are so grown up.  We load up both trucks and headed down to Provo.  

We moved in Ella first to Heleman Halls.  Then Tyler into King Henry.  By then we were all starving.  Quiero Mas was delicious.  Tyler ordered two meals so he could take one home! Darren may or may not have loved the kids "dogs" on him.  But they were showing him their love.  We dropped them all back off, a few tears and said goodbye.  What a good and crazy whirlwind of the last month.  It was go go go.  Now, maybe, it might slow down with just one kiddo at home. 

House Remodel Projects

We chose to do some big projects before Tyler got home... Here are a few:

The Kitchen

Starting the summer with a bang.  Time for stripping, sanding, and restaining the kitchen table, chairs and barstools.  After 15+ years of being in the sun, the color was fading and the tops were very scrathed.  The kitchen looked so empty with no table. 

Painting the Exterior

We hired someone to paint the outside of the house.  The original brown was very fadded and showed signifcant weathering.  The first picture is the house when we bought it in 2014.  After all the outside painting we had to clean the windows on the outside.  So we might as well clean the inside of the windows and the window slide part. 

The Kitchen

The interior designer we hired to help us had pictures made up so we could visualize her changes.  We loved it.  Using paint to lighten up the whole room.  Abby organized the pantry.  Big changes! The first two pictures are her ideas. The rest of the pictures are of the real process to get there.  We moved into the basement.  So grateful that Darren had us finish the basement kitchen a few months ago.  

Master Bedroom

The first two pictures are the goal pictures.  Then we start with the wood wall behind our bed. 

Piano Room

The paino needed some extra love to make it look like a nice room.  Wainscotting, hardwood floors, changing some electrical and paint.  Then adding in Darren's uncles Steinway Piano... in a few months after its been fixed up. 

Front Entry and Halls

This is an exciting project.  It will light up the whole entry way.  Lighter colors with the wainscotting.  

Guest Bathroom

Wallpaper is so exciting.  Make everything brighter.  Lighter countertops anc some cute shelves.  The top two pictures are her ideas.  Then you can see the final projects. 

Living Room

The saddest and hardest change for me is taking out my built in desk area.  I love that area.  I know having a big living room will be wonderful though.  Her idea picture helped me to be ok with the idea.  

Tylers Room