Movers and Shakers - part deux

Last week I was in packing/cleaning stress mode.  Luckily I was sent 2 angels to help lighten my load.  Sister Holmes and Sister Farnsworth came over and within an hour we had the kitchen and basement done!  (you can see Scarlett was really entertained by us).

Jake said that it's always a bummer when you show up to help someone move and they haven't packed yet.  So we decided Friday night that we would move all the loose stuff not in boxes over to the house and sleep there that night.  We brought some mats and Scarlett's mattress too.  She was soooo excited to camp on the floor and jump on the bed that she didn't want to sleep - so Jake pulled up PBSKids.org/video on his phone to help her wind down.  When she saw his phone she leaned over and gave him a huge kiss!  It was so cute!  This is how we started the night...

After several uncomfortable and restless hours this is how we woke up.  How does such a little body take over such a big bed?

On Saturday (Aug 25) we had 10-12 strong men show up to help us move.  We got all our stuff in one load!  It was wonderful!  My friend Jamie watched Scarlett ALL day at her house - what a life saver!  Thanks Jamie!!!

Jake had to install some stuff before he could hook up our washing machine, but he wanted to get it done that day since they were in the hallway blocking Scarlett's room.  The guys left but said they would come back once Jake was done fixing the plumbing and help him move the machines into place.  By the time Jake was able to get it all figured out (of course the part they had previously installed was a non-standard size, so Jake had to fabricate his own solution), it was pretty late.  He tried texting a few guys but wasn't able to reach any of them.  Scarlett and I went to the grocery store and when we got back the washer and dryer were moved into place.  When I asked Jake how he was able to move them all by himself, he just pointed to these 2 soup cans.  What an enginerd!!!  He used these to help him maneuver them into place (and lift the washer into the plastic basin).  Smarty pants!

Scarlett fell down the bottom stairs.  She didn't get hurt thankfully, but I think it instilled a little fear in her which is helpful since we don't have a gate yet (need to figure out how to add a gate - it's a weird angle...)   Later that night I was walking down the stairs with Scarlett.  Jake was downstairs and he said he heard me yell "Noooo!" and then some thumping.  He darted to the bottom of the stairs and saw that I was laying on my back on them with Scarlett on top of me.  He said "oh good, she's ok".  Ya, he meant Scarlett.  Not "oh no, are you ok honey?" to me.  haha!  :-D  We were both pretty shaken.  I guess my feet just slid out from under me and I fell pretty hard but miraculously Scarlett wasn't hurt - just scared.  I was pretty bruised, carpet burned, and I hurt my wrist.  But we're doing fine now.  And we are using the handrails like we're holding fast to the iron rod through a mist of darkness.

Sunday morning Scarlett got to try out her new bath tub!

Jake installed child locks on the kitchen cabinets.  She mourned the loss of her freedom all night...

Whenever I pull out my phone Scarlett yells "cheese!" and smiles at me.  Maybe I take too many pictures?!?!?

Taking a break from unpacking boxes (my new hobby) and playing with Scarlett (my favorite hobby).

Paint It Black

We spent all weekend working on our home (basically the first of maaaany weekends spent on home projects I'm sure).  We decided that the first thing we needed to do was to change the locks.  They only gave us one house key at closing and who knows home many others are floating around.  So changing the locks gave us added security and peace of mind.  Since we were changing the hardware anyways, we thought it would be nice to paint the front door.  And the sconces so they matched.  Luckily we decided to stop there since these "quick" projects took way longer than expected.

Front Door: Before and After

   

(note: we haven't change the hardware on the glass door to satin nickel yet because we have to special order it)

Garage Lights: Before and After 

   

This Rolling Stones tune was the official anthem of our weekend project (and it's been in my head ever since).  Listen to the first sentence and see if you can guess why.  (PLEASE DON'T MIND THE GRUESOME PICTURE...)

We made several trips to Home Depot and Lowe's.  Especially after we lost one of the four bolts for the sconces.  Classic.  Bottom Line... Lowe's: Fail.  Home Depot: Winning.

This is how Scarlett spent most of the day.  While I was painting, Jake was on baby duty.  Then we would switch and he worked on the lawn.  Apparently... Jake : new tools = Jenni : new craft stuff.  Who knew?

Headquarters:

I used the painter's tape to hold on the silly "one size fits most" gloves:

Snort Sauce bought me an awesome DIY book for my bday.  It suggested using a grocery bag to cover the plastic paint tray.  After you're done, just pour the extra back into the can, let the bag dry, turn it inside out, and throw away!  I used a new bag for each coat.  It may look messy, but the clean up was a breeze!  Thanks Snort!

Jake came outside and found me like this.  My hands hurt soooooo bad after going through 4 cans of spray paint!  But I think it was worth it!  :-)

WE BOUGHT A HOUSE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

(the lawn needs a little TLC)

We signed the papers on our new house today!  Woot woot!!!

Inaugural dinner in our new kitchen.

Photos of our new house!!!  :-D

The sellers from the red house contacted us a few weeks ago and said they would come down to the appraised value on the home if we cut the realtors out of the deal.  Both Jake and I felt that was dishonest - since the realtors had already done tons of work.  So we passed on the deal.  We were so nervous that we would never find another home (dramatic, I know).  A few days later our realtor called us and said that there was a home that just went back on the market because the previous buyer's financing had fallen through.  We walked through it and LOVED it (ironically you can see the red house from the back porch)!!!  So we put an offer in ASAP.  Turns out our offer wasn't the highest they received, but their agent called and said they were looking for buyers who could close FAST.  The sellers are already moved out and were pretty desperate to sell (I think they got a job out of state and were paying 2 mortgages).  Since we had already started the buying process with the red house, we were able to prove that we could close in less than 15 days - CRAZY!  We got the house!!!  The appraisal and home inspection all came back favorable.  We love this house, and now it's ours!!!

It has a 2.75 car garage, finished basement, 2nd floor laundry, granite/stainless steel kitchen, playroom for Scarlett, and great landscaping.  We are going to ask our ward to help us move everything on Sat Aug 25 so we have time to clean the house first.  I have already scheduled air duct and carpet cleaners for next week.  Did I mention we're soooooooooooo excited!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Jami, Mom & Dad Seaver Visit!!!

We had an AMAZING two weeks with Jami, Mom and Dad visiting!  The only thing that could have made the Seaver trip better was if the Daniels were here (they were on a cruise...so I don't think they were missing us much! ;-D ) and James (who's MIA for 1 more year of his mission).

Jami arrived one week before my parents.  I felt so spoiled: she let me sleep in every morning, took care of all the diapers, and even fed/showered Scarlett.  It was like I was on vacation!  Jami: you are welcome anytime!

We went to the Titanic exhibit at the Henry Ford Museum.  They give you information on a specific passenger when you walk in and at the end you find out if your person survived or not.  Luckily all three of our passengers survived but all the men they were traveling with didn't.  So sad.

  (Jami's hair loved the humidity!)

One day we went to lunch at this 1950s style McDonalds.  It was a must see for Jami and her Elvis obsession!  The owner of this McDonalds was there when we walked in.  She went totally crazy over Scarlett, a little crowd formed around us.  She kept saying how much she looked like a gerber baby and we should put her in contests (um, no!)  She even gave me her email address and asked me to send her this picture of Scarlett.  For the record, Jami thought that she was creepy and forbid me from emailing her.. ok that's not exactly true... but we still thought it was weird.  A nice compliment that went a little too far?

Mom and Dad arrived with a new dress that Jami picked out for Scarlett.  At church a guy came up after and asked where we found a dress with the Yahoo logo on it!  haha!  Michiganders!

This is how Dad spent most of the week: working.  Nothing like a little dirt bike fumes to make the workday better.

Scarlett made Grammy and Aunt Jami watch hours of her favorite shows!  You're welcome!  Mom even cleaned my house.  I felt like royalty this week!!!

Twinners!  (Jami beat the humidity hair with this cool braid)

Grumple is the best!

We had a chance to check out the Henry Ford Museum with the Peerys.  Grumple put the girls to work:

This museum has a lot of kid friendly areas.  We took a little break to let the girls play around for a bit.  My dad grabbed this train barrier arm and kept saying "I decide who goes there... I decide" (in some accent, not quite sure what to call it) to people passing by.  They just tried to ignore him and walk quickly by without making eye contact!  It was hilarious!

We have an open food/stroller policy with the Peerys!


Grandpa Seaver: these two pictures are just for you!

Can you spot anything special about this Oscar Mayer Weiner?  ;-D  Jami was making some joke about something (can't remember) and my dad said: "If there was one word that would describe you right now, it would be: 'tore'.......... um.... I mean TWO words: 'tore up'!"  But the damage was done.  So for the rest of the trip we called Jami "Tore".

We got to go on the Rouge Factory Tour to see where all the F150s were made.  Jake worked in that very plant at the beginning of the summer!  Unfortunately he couldn't come with us, but my dad's trying to talk Jake into getting us a "real" tour down on the floor.  

Last dinner with the Peerys :'-(  They are en route back to Utah right now.  We are going to miss them crazy bad!  I've started a petition to get them to move out here once Eric's done with school.  I'm pretty sure if I get 100 signatures they'll feel obligated to move back to Michigan.  Right???

The week was mostly overcast and rainy, but on one hot day we were able to hit the splash park.  It wiped us out!

Aunt Jami has started training her Couch Olympics Padawan:

Chillaxin with Grumple:

Shout out to all the moms who hang out in the play places!

Hannah trying out the new heels they bought Scarlett.

Scarlett picked out this little dog when we went to Sam's Club.  She's been dragging it all over the house!

Playing hard!

Sisters!  (to do: Photoshop Kandy's face in...)

We took a few photos when dropping them off at the airport.  As I was going through them I noticed Jake was maybe a little bored...

It was so fun to have them here!  Even if we were crammed in our townhome and Mom and Dad had to sleep in the scary basement (their idea, not mine).  I can't wait for them to come visit again!!! 

PS - Scarlett decided to get sick right when the left!  She had a 102 fever all weekend.  I took her into the doctor on Monday.  Her ears and throat looked fine.  They decided they needed a urine sample just to make sure she didn't have a bladder infection.  So they had to do a catheter.  And prick her toe!  Poor girl.  Result: she has a virus.  I'm glad she doesn't have a UTI, but I felt bad they made her go though all of that just to be sure.  She's still pretty miserable, in fact she's crying on my lap right now.  So we're going to go eat a Popsicle.