Play set: complete

Today was a momentous day. The kids were good and the weather was outstanding.

Vickey was at a Pampered Chef training meeting all morning till
2 p.m., then she left for a Pampered Chef show at 6 p.m.

So, as I entertained the chitlins, I worked in the yard and was able to complete the installation of the play set. I had to dig a 26” hole for the metal pole in the center of the circular slide, then attach the slide in segments. With a little help from Eliana I managed to get it done. I couldn’t have done it without the six foot pick tool (a solid metal rod with a point on the end) Gordon and Charley had me purchase at Lowe’s when they were down last month.

Here’s Ellie and Dominic enjoying their play time.


I also got a few more yard projects complete and it looks like we’ve finally decided on the colors for the outside of the house. So, if all goes according to plan (and I’m pretty certain it won’t), we’ll have a newly painted home and new gate to the back yard on Wednesday, and rubber chips covering the ground around the play set on Thursday (they've been on back order). Even if it’s all in place by next weekend, that would be just fine.

Summer play

I’m sorting through photos from this year to fill some 11 by 14 frames Vickey purchased at the Pottery Barn outlet and found this one of Eliana and Dominic from back in May when we took our Memorial Day trip to St. George.


And here’s another cute one of Ellie with two of her Snow cousins.


I like the summer feel to the images, the colors, and of course I love the subjects.

EQ Fiesta and Game Night

Next weekend we’re hosting a dinner and game night for the Fountains Ward Elders Quorum (I’m the quorum president).

Our home teacher made this cool flier for the party.


Tank would love to welcome you to our home.

Rainy weather in Vegas

The past couple of days have been really rainy here, which is unusual for Las Vegas.

We love it when it rains, especially the smell of rain in the desert.

Here’s something we’ve only seen a handful of times at our home, a rainbow in the background.

School picture day

Thursday was Eliana’s first school picture day. She agreed to sleep in curlers Wednesday night and endure curling iron treatment Thursday morning before school.

The last time Vickey tried that Ellie threw a fit when the curlers came out and her hair wasn’t perfect. She did much better this time.

Vickey and Dominic were present to witness the festivities at Cox Elementary, although Vickey didn’t get a sneak peak at Ellie’s photo like Tammy did. (Tammy was Ellie’s preschool teacher and has a son, Chase, in Ellie’s class.)

Before they left for school Vickey took some photos of Ellie. Ellie’s comment: “Now dad will have some cute pictures for his blog!”


Yes, Ellie, I’m so glad to have these cute photos for my blog!

Grandma returns home

We had a fun week with Grandma Codella. Today she and Eliana painted pumpkins. It’s hard to believe it’s already October.


Grandma, Vickey and the kids did plenty of shopping these last few days. Everyone has new duds—pajamas and some school clothes. Thanks, Grandma!


We had Don and Lisa (she's my cousin) and Sarah Lynn over Thursday night for dinner and games. Here we are.


And here’s Eliana and me working as a team to fish out as many letters as possible before the timer goes off. We were playing a fun new game Eliana received for her birthday last month.


We just received Grandma’s report that she’s now back home in 40 degree New York after an uneventful plane ride (we're still running our air conditioner).

We enjoyed general conference this weekend and are reminded of our many blessings.

I’m still working on a few yard finishing touches, irrigation and lighting. And we’re looking to have the iron gate to the back yard redone (since the old one is too short now that we increased the height of the wall) as well as the house repainted. Also, I still have to dig a two foot hole for the circular slide on the play set and we're still waiting for the rubber chips for the ground cover to be shipped from California. Hopefully those things will be complete this month.