Removing Popcorn ceiling

This is not a job for wimps!
Our renter's moved out and for some reason I got it in my head that we could remove the popcorn ceiling. It was a good time to do it since we have the whole month of Sept. before our new renter's move in Oct. 1st. I heard it was easy, and yes you could say it was easy...but my body is a aching after doing it all day Saturday, I'm feeling it throughout my body. When my husband came home I made him take a turn. He started murmuring after 15 minutes...

We were almost done when our neighbor came over and told us the popcorn has aspetos (sp?). I was all stressed and worried but we were almost done...so what could we do???? We put on face masks back on and finished it. Then we went to some friends home for dinner and all the couples there had taken off their popcorn ceiling too (same town homes)...so it's done. However, I will not be doing the upstairs...I don't have the energy!

I did this ceiling part all by myself.... :)

Tattoo Convention....?....really!...for a 5 year old???

Alexander had a weekend with his "other mother", and to our dismay she took him to a Tattoo convention. So here is the little boy we got back on Sunday evening.....

This is difficult to deal with as I was brought up that we do not defile our bodies, they are a gift from our Heavenly Father and we keep them clean. Everyone has different opinions but I have never liked tattoos and find it sad when I come across someone that is covered in them. I just keep thinking...what are you going to look like when you get old and your skin is just hanging there with a droopy picture on it. Sure it might look pretty when you have toned arms...but let's be honest...our bodies change.

Needless to say, Zac dealt with this one. It's hard for a five year old to process why tattoo's are not appropriate when both his other mother and her boyfriend have several and even his Dad has them. Alexander came home all excited about his tattoo's and told us how you get them, and how he was going to show all the kids at school. Zac took Alexander up stairs and he had a Father and Son talk. It made me proud of Zac, because I know that he had to try and install a lesson within Alexander that teaches him, "don't make the same mistake I made". This won't be the first or last time he will hear that but I know that Zac is a great Father and husband. It's also helpful that Alexander's school has a very strict dress code,

This was my favorite tattoo...Mother Mary???!!!! (I'm completely joking...)

Very proud of his tattoo...

I will say the final decision with Zac and Alexander was that he had to wash off the tattoo's on his arms due to it not being appropriate for school and he could keep the bull tattoo on his chest for two more days but he was not to pick up his shirt and show the kids at school. We also told him that in a couple of days we would need to wash the tattoo off as the skin would be dirty under it. Honestly, Alexander was really good about it all. He got in the bath by himself and started the scrubbing process.

Please note: I am not against "fake" tattoo's for little kids....I just don't want my son coming home with huge ones that cover his little body or the belief that tattoo's are okay. The day will come when Alexander will choose for himself what he will have on his body. I just pray that he will follow his Father's words of wisdom and choose accordingly. :)

Wedding...family....and fun

About two weeks ago my cousin, Cyndi was married. We had the opportunity to make this our little family vacation, and since it was in Northern California we threw in a trip to visit Grandpa L. It was a fast trip, but it was a great experience for us. Alexander was able to spend time with his cousins. We were able to meet our two newest members of the family Gannon and William. Catch up with family, cousins, Aunts, and Uncles. It was just a blessing to be surrounded by those we love. Thanks Cyndi for getting married, as there is nothing better than something so special bringing everyone together.


Here is Alexander with Gannon (Matt and Beth's). Alexander was helping to keep him from crying. It was also the first time that Alexander wanted to hold a baby. It's very cute! He is going to be a great big brother when the time comes.

Alexander and Cousin Ben love each other....they also play so well together...it must be a boy thing. :)

Cousin's waiting for the Bride and Groom to come out of the Temple. I think Cousin Hayden and Carter are pretending to throw each other into the fountain.

Family just waiting outside the temple enjoying the company and weather.

Cousin Natalie, Tyler, Alexander, and distant cousin

Here we are, just thinking about our turn in the Temple, it's coming up!

Family and fun

Part of the Brown family...we love cousins

Alexander and little Brooke (my cousins daugther) They have so much fun together

So cute...and Katelyn in the background

Great picture

Cousin Tracey and Jill

Here they come...newly married!

So happy for them...

Little William, just born two weeks ago and look at him.

Ashlee, proud mother and looking amazing! Look at little William's lips!

Tyler (TyTy) showing off his glasses

Jeff and Ben...same smile...so cute!

Here we are trying to get a Family Photo...however we have a five year old that didn't want to do anything at this moment.

Trying again...

Wilhoit Family

The Bride, she looks amazing and so beautiful

Again...we try for a family photo

and again...

yes...we keep trying...

Brother Matt taking pictures

Me and my neice Hannah, who looks like me as a child and acts like me too. Interesting enough, Alexander has a little crush on her. Funny huh!

My cute and wonderful husband! He is amazing...I had to wait a long time for him but he is worth it.

Gannon, I think he is 2 months...and soooooo CUTE! Beth and Matt always produce cute kids, heck that is probably why they have 6 now! ;)

Beautiful Jill, Isabella and Richard in the background.

Jill and Zac with Superhero Spiderman in pocket

Sister love...Jill you are amazing...I am grateful to have you!

Ben and snack time...waiting while we get the family together for a pictures

It was a long day and the reception is about to begin. Zac and I went outside to get some "alone" time...just for a few minutes!

The Happy Couple...they look lovely...I helped do the flowers in the background. :)

My Sister Tricia did the cake...it was soooo lovely. She is amazing and very talented.

Part of the fun reception

My brother Matt, I think he is watching the Bride and Groom leaving...

This pictures was taken right after the "stealing of the bride" a tradition in the family. My brothers picked me up and then dropped me on rocks...Cyndi was lucky, she wasn't dropped!

Dancing and just enjoying the evening

After the wedding we went about 30 miles north to visit Grandpa L in Neveda City. It was so beautiful and we loved our time with Grandpa. He took good care of us by planning a special trip to the mines, dinner, and he even made us breakfast. It was all so wonderful!

here we are at the lake (can't remember the name) about to do a paddle boat.

We might have a speed boat but we had fun

Of course, my husband wanted to have the whole "silence in nature" thing...and I disagreed

Water is for making noise!

Alexander had a lot of fun...he is such a good swimmer

We were teasing him, and he fell in with a little help.

resting and staying warm

finished...and back on dry land

I am sad because I forgot my camera and we did some fun things...so these are all the pictures I have of us with Grandpa. We will just have to go back for another visit and take more pictures then.

Grandpa L and Alexander

This is a cute photo...

Saying goodbye to Grandpa L since we left at 5 am in the morning to get home. We really had a nice visit with him and look forward to visiting him again.