More House Progress

Today Makenzie was reminiscing about the weekend we moved into our new house.

Her favorite memory is:

"...how we didn't have any food so we had to go to Denny's for breakfast... and I ate it all...  and I really wanted to lick the syrup off my plate but you know... {sheepish giggle}."

Love that girl.

And the memories.

I felt completely overwhelmed that weekend, but now, 9 months later, when I look back I realize what an exciting and fun time that was.

And although all of the boxes are unpacked, I have a few things on my walls, and we feel pretty settled, this house is nowhere near done.

We love our house, but right now it feels like this giant money pit that is never going to stop needing more and more money thrown into it!

First there were blinds.

Then there was the sprinkler system, 5 truckloads of topsoil, sod and mulch.

We still need to put rocks around the sides and back of the house.

We still need plants and trees.

And then there's the basement.

Our little-boy-to-be means we need more bedrooms, and we decided to go ahead and do all 3 basement bedrooms to see if we can refinance and get rid of our mortgage insurance.

So there was the framing, the drywall, the electricity, the doors, the trim, now the paint, then carpet.

It's not cheap.

I'm not complaining, I'm incredibly grateful we've been able to do all of that, but man... those credit card payments are gonna hurt for the next little while.

But when I look at the before and after pictures, it all feels really worth it.

I had some pictures of our house/yard up, but after a 6-year-old girl was taken from her home and killed a few days ago not far from where we live, I took them off. There are a lot of sicko's out there. Just me being overprotective, I know...

But here is our basement.

Justin finished putting up all the trim yesterday.

Now we just have to caulk like crazy and we'll be ready for primer and paint!

I last shared pictures when it was framed, and here it is with drywall, doors and trim:

 There is a hall when you come down the stairs, with the first room to the left and two more at the end here.

 Future play room.

 Future play room from the doorway.

 Future bedroom.

 It's the smallest bedroom, but it comes with a walk-in closet so that totally makes up for it.

The other future bedroom.

Same room, other angle.

Alright, so there's our house progress for now. We're getting close to having these projects done, I can't wait!

Boys

Two boys and a slip 'n slide.

Does it get any better?

Remember sweet baby Kyle?

He's still sweet.

But he's also almost two.

And getting pretty knowledgeable in the ways of combat.

This is pretty much what he does whenever he sees another kid these days.

He thinks he's really intimidating.

And he kind of is... the poor other kids look pretty freaked out.

I can't get him to stop.

Jarom getting in his shooter's stance... haha.

Kyle being studly.

And then instantly not-so-studly.

Jarom's got his eye on the target....

Bulls eye.

Now that Kyle is getting older, it has been so fun watching them play together.

I'm excited for our new little guy to make this boy duo a trio.

They are going to have so much fun!

Happy Summer!

SUMMER!!!

It's finally here!! 

And we are taking full advantage. 

We got the Pass of All Passes (cheapest deal ever!! I love Utah) and have been having a blast at Trafalga Fun Center and Seven Peaks Salt Lake. 

Having fun together makes them love each other.

Seriously. Holding hands! How cute is that?

Oh yeah!

Here they go!

Girl time on the go karts.

Poor Kyle was too little to come on the go-karts. Poor buddy.

Big man and little man.

And they let little Kyle go on the airplanes since he's barely under the height requirement. He was so happy.

Good ole Frog Hopper. They love this thing.

And yes, oh yes!! Waterpark season is finally here!!

Kenz was cruising over the floating snake like nobody's business.

Justin pulling some dad-duty in the kiddie splash pool.

Kyle and Jarom love the shallow little kid area.

Jarom being the world's best big brother. He was taking such good care of Kyle, helping him get up the stairs, going down the slide with him, and just making sure Kyle felt safe and included. Makenzie and Jarom are both really sweet with Kyle and help him all over the park.

Bomb's away! It's gonna be a fun summer!

Little Miss Soccer Player

In Makenzie's third soccer season, she really had to get out of her comfort zone.

Last Fall Makenzie discovered her passion for playing goalie.

I think it started when she realized it meant she didn't really have to play.

She had a job she was comfortable with.

And she was pretty darn good at it!

But this year, the rec center she's playing for decided not to do goalies for Kindergarten soccer.

So she had to get out there and go after the ball.

I was proud of her, she really gave it her all.

She may not have scored any goals, but she got more comfortable playing the sport, had a good time and learned how to be part of a team. 

Justin's parents were so nice to come to the games to cheer her on and here she is with her Grandma Carla!

I'm not sure if soccer will be Makenzie's favorite sport, but I'm glad she is trying it.

A few days ago she told me she wanted to be like my mom.

I asked her what she meant.

She said she wanted to run track and be super fast.

I think she may have a future in that.

When she really wanted to, she could beat all the kids down the field.

And she already honestly, truly can beat me in a sprint.

It is humbling.

So I'm glad we have done soccer- I think it has been good for her, but as she gets older and more options open up, I'm excited to see what she will be passionate about!

He's gonna be a socca playa...

Here he is...

The man. 

Golden Dragons #9.

Ready to perform for his cheering section.

He's off.

There he goes!

Workin' it.

Again.

And again. Getting past it to turn it around.

And a steal! He takes it to the goal...

Going, going... GOAL! I didn't get one of him scoring! Bummer...

But I did get one of his classic, "Look at Mom and Dad who are screaming and cheering like wild banshees" looks.

And nothing like a little congratulatory head rub from Dad.

Here's a little video of him scoring another time....

So how do you get a 4 year old to be really awesome at soccer?

You practice with them lots?

Meh..

You give lots of advice?

Maybe.

You promise them a slurpee if they score a goal?

BINGO.

(Parenting 101 courtesy of Justin)

This is Jarom's first time playing soccer. 

 He was doing really well, but he wasn't scoring.

So when we played against a team where this kid was just scoring like crazy, the coach (who is in our ward) told us that his dad gets him a slurpee for each goal he scores.

Hmmm... excellent idea.

Let's try it.

So before this game, Justin promised Jarom a slurpee if he scored a goal.

 So... he scored his first goal. 

(And then he asked his coach if he could sit out, haha...).

When the next game came (this past Saturday), Justin told him he'd have to score TWO goals to earn a slurpee.

Jarom seemed discouraged. He said two goals was too hard.

But then he started thinking about it...

He asked what if he got THREE goals.

I told him I thought three goals deserved a slurpee AND a little treat.

All those promises of sugar lit a fire under that kid and he was on a MISSION.

He got FOUR goals! 

And he almost had six, two more were super close! It was amazing. He was kicking the ball around kids and cutting through holes to get the ball down the field. He's also super fast, so he would run ahead of kids, stop the ball and take it down to his goal. I was almost in shock at how well he did in that last game. And he was on cloud nine. It was pretty cool.

So Jarom spent his Saturday afternoon enjoying his Cherry Fanta, Pina Colada, Coke slurpee and a lollipop. And also feeling pretty awesome about himself.

I've always tried to push intrinsic rewards with my kids instead of extrinsic ones...  but wow. Slurpees work, my friends. I'm a believer. And I hope now that Jarom knows how good it feels to do so well, he'll want to feel that way again, slurpee or not.

Next post? Makenzie's 3rd soccer season- Jarom's was so long I think Makenzie deserves her own post. :) Coming soon... for the 2 of you who still read my blog. :) Thank you.