Yet another test!

Well, I just wanted to bring everyone up to speed on our last weeks happenings...however I haven't been able to get my pictures downloaded yet.  Tuesday night Brandon and I heard our toilets making a wierd noise.  Then we went to look  and saw there was black sewage backing up into the shower downstairs and the toilet, not to mention the toilet wasn't acting right.  The drain in the laundry room was also backing up.  So Brandon ran across the street to borrow our good neighbor's drain snake...and came home and snaked the drain...no such luck...Then Jerry came over and they continued the fun and games!  This all started about 10:30 pm...so we were already tired.  It finally came down to  a long garden hose being run down the sewer pipe and flush out water that way...it was a success...things finally drained and Brandon started wrapping things up by putting the cap back on the sewer clean out.  And wouldn't you know yet another test...the wingnut was all the way undone and the bolt and metal round flat back to the cap fell down the pipe...so fishing started with a wire hanger...after some cursing and temper moments...I was in the other room doing other stuff and decided to say a little prayer...just moments later Jerry said " I don't know how that just happened but the hanger had just gone through a little hole in the metal and he was able to pull out the cap...then after some McGiver moves and another prayer out came the bolt...Earth magnets and wirehangers are great in a bind.  So By the time we got it all cleaned up...it was 2 am and Brandon and I were in need of a shower...so I showered first and he watched the drain then he showered.  After a short night we woke up and Brandon got to work late and I got the kids off to school almost late, then I got ready to take Asher to school late and noticed tha lights on downstairs...normally I'd leave them on since I'd only be gone 20 min or so but I was planning a trip to Orem to petsmart...so I went down the stairs and noticed a horrible smell...and a small puddle of a couple gallons worth of water around the drain on the floor.  Figuring we'd be gone and no more water could rise...afterall we'd only flushed the toilet a few times and no other water used...I'd call a plumber when I got home...so I called Brandon and he called Rescue Rooter and they'd be there at 9:30 so I went home after dropping off Asher to find that now the water was a few feet further than it was before probably 3 ft from the drain was wet...the plumber came and started his stuff...as he snaked the water got deeper and further up the floor I got nervous and started hauling out stuff into the living room since it was going to be laundry day baskets and baskets of clothes and what items I could lift and move on my own.  Before long THe plumber asked if someone little might be upstairs running water...I said I was the only one home...so he went outside to look down a manhole and found the city sewer main backed up...and he called the city and the adventure began...now our entire laundry room/food storage room was filled with black sewer water...numerous belongings and food ruined and to top it all off...found out that we had to get a new furnace last night as people were taking the old one and water heater out to clean underneath it...I guess we can look at it as a blessing that we found out the heat exchange has stress cracks before anyone got sick or died...and the city's insurance paid the labor of the removal and installtion so we only had to pay for the furnace...however we didn't have the money to start with and it's bad timing considering we have a lot of belongings and shelves that are ruined and the city only pays a percentage of replacement cost...so we'll see how it all turns out...and to top it all off...today I had a song writing class taught by Sheri Call that I am starting and I was getting in the shower to get ready and had no hot water...the fan from the clean up crew drying out the wood blew out the pilot on the water heater in the night...but all in all we are lucky...we still have a home even if it stinks a little and our stuff is everywhere and we can't park in the carport yet.  In time all will be well...and I'm sure God has a plan...it's just not the same as mine apparently :)

Christmas two weeks early!

This is our new addition...still working on a name but she is a mini American Eskimo. we all just love her to death...even Brandon.  Even Chena is ok with her so far...just wanted to share a few photos...hope you enjoy.

Baby Paityn Brielle (cousin)

Grandma Dianne and the Utah batch of Grandkids.

Hannah and Paityn

Ben and Paityn

Emma held Paityn at least 5 times and didn't ever really want to give her up...she's going to be a great mom someday.

I was able to go to the hospital and say Paityn for the first time when she was a day old.

The broken toe

So this is what happens when you dance Barefoot. From now on when I rehearse for anything...I'm putting on shoes first. I was just putting a few last finishing touches on the routine and somehow stubbed my toe. Well, stubbed, broke...it's all about the same right? Just wanted to show you what it looked like when we performed our snowman skit. And we totally rocked.

Spanish Peak Idol

We were asked as a Primary Presidency to participate in our Wards talent show Spanish Peak Idol. And Jacqui and I were the only ones that wanted to do anything so here is us representing the primary. So the day before the talent show we got together and put this togeter. We had a blast and we were the best...Emma enjoyed being part also.

Family Pictures 2009

We headed up the Nebo Loop last weekend to get some family pictures while the beautiful fall leaves are on. We got a lot of pictures. However, none were "perfect" in a studio sence. However, They are all perfect in that you see our family just at they usually are. Goofy and never a dull moment!

Ben is always, and I do mean ALWAYS...hamming it up...I wouldn't want it any other way!

Hannah is really growing up...in 3rd grade this year!

Ben is in 2nd Grade this year!

Emma is in Kindergarten this year.

Asher is in Head Start 4 days a week this year!

Isn't it just beautiful here?

Me and the girls

Me and my boys...and boys will be boys :)

My 3 boys...aren't they all cute...Asher just wouldn't put down his log.

Daddy and his girls...what a precious picture...I just love this one.

This picture of the kids was the last one...They were DONE!

After we returned from our jaunt to the canyon we decided to get one picture with our whole family...Chena was as excited as the kids to sit for a pose!

It was fun to get a picture of Just Brandon and I...What a cute couple, even if I do say so myself! I sure love this man...he is the best Dad and Sweetheart I could ask for.

This one actually turned out pretty good of the kids. Hannah 8, Ben 7, Emma 5 and Asher 4

Ben had to take his glasses off to get the glare off the lenses...so he did his best to keep his eyes from crossing...he did pretty good.

Hannah's End of the Year 2nd Grade Program

That's Hannah and her best friend Isabella "Bella"

There's Hannah patiently waiting for her program to start

Hannah and her 2nd grade teacher Mrs. Hulet

There's Hannah and Bella again...what silly girls...we sure love them.

This was a pre-program picture...before recess and school messed with the hair too much.

Hannah wanted me to add her favorite song to the post...it's Lean on Me...They sang a lot of cute songs...but I guess this is her favorite....ENJOY!!!!!