The End mark's the Beginning

I have an older business savvy friend who often says, "You know what I like about owning a house?" When I answer What? he says, "Absolutely nothing." He then goes on to explain how the projects never end, the wear and tear always continue and therefore the home improvement projects never stop. At the conclusion of each project lies discontent and regret for "not having done it this way, or that way." I must admit there is some truth to this, but I would also add that there is great satisfaction in achievement and value earned in hard work.

Our yard falls into that category, what initially feels like the "end of the project" is only the beginning of many more. But we are very pleased with how it turned out. But now, the sprinklers don't quite reach, the cement didn't quite cure correctly, the ground has sunk a bit in spots, and the trampoline pit didn't turn out exactly as I had imagined it.

The curbing crew. They showed up on Thursday morning about 9:30 am and did not delay in getting started. Two hours passed and the cement was placed, wet, and the check written. Some things you just don't want to do yourself.

The topsoil in the front yard just off the driveway, patiently waiting for sod to be laid.

Sunday afternoon. The sod has been in place for 3 days now. The places where the sprinklers don't quite reach are now starting to show up along with the places where there is too much water. The end of one project mark's the start of many new projects.

The backyard. The trampoline pit turned out nice, the railroad ties make a very robust retaining wall lining. The gravel in the bottom covers the mud and prevents weed growth. I finished putting the springs on the trampoline on Saturday night at about 9pm, then me and the girls jumped for a little while - just enough to wind them up before bedtime.

Janna's garden boxes. This is Janna's space. I have very little to do with anything inside the boxes, but I am responsible for the drip system, the manifold boxes, and the water spigot off to the side. We will also be laying weed barrier, topped with bark chips, and a paver pathway that goes through the garden area and out into the backyard.

On to the next project, I guess.

Yard Project & a Quarter in "The Machine"

The yard project continues. We finally completed all of the trench work and pipe laying until we were satisfied with our layout. Topsoil, lots of it, arrived on Thursday morning. By Saturday night we had all the sprinkler heads on two zones. But some of them sit too high, I'm going to have to dig them up and rebury them a bit lower. Man, this project never stops. But the trampoline pit looks good!

A few things I've learned or done while doing my own sprinkler system:

1. Clay is not my friend.
2. I burned up a 1/2" diameter spade bit, overheated it drilling holes in railroad ties.
3. 1" High Density poly-pipe and 1" low density poly-pipe are NOT the same diameter.
4. If it only leaks a little bit, it still has to be replaced.
5. If you dig six feet deep through clay, you find more clay.
6. The companies who design sprinkler boxes have never installed one before.
7. Always buy two of that part that you need.
8. It's not a rock, it's more clay.
9. The guy at the local sprinkler store can sell you two more parts instead of returning one.
10. If there's a small pipe sticking up out of the ground, little girls will put sticks and rocks in it.
11. Sticks and rocks don't play well with sprinkler valves.

Now, a video unrelated to the yard. Meet the true Rylee. This is the hidden personality of Rylee many people don't get to see very often.

Peanut Cannon

Grandma sent Rylee a box with some goodies in it for her birthday, so far though the styrofoam peanuts have been the biggest hit. Who knew? During church today while we were in sacrament meeting, it was very quiet and Lauren leans over to me and whispers, "Hey dad, lets shoot the styrofoam out of the candy cannon when we get home." I couldn't help it, the random timing of this caught me so off guard that I choked on a laugh with something in my mouth. Being the good example I am, I answered: "Ohhh Awesome, that's a great idea!"

This is Rylee on the trigger. We can put all kinds of cool things in there. . . packing peanuts, racquet balls, socks, and um. . . small animals. . . (This was Rylee's idea: "Let's put Sophie in there!" Sophie is one of our pet rats. Don't worry, we didn't do it. We put Rosie in there instead.

Styrofoam Peanuts & Socks

Finish line high fives!

13 miles later, these high fives at the finish line never felt soooo good!

Double Hoola & Mormon Tatoo's

Family photo at Ogden Dinosaur Park. That's me on the left - the really hungry dude with the big teeth.

My C#. This is a bunch of guys who got together at the talent show at our ward campout. Our EQ president had 7 or 8 bottles all with just the right amount of water in each one - just enough to create enough notes to play "Take Me out to the Ball Game."

Lauren shares one of her talents with the rest of the ward. Double Hoola Hoops. Two hoola hoops is nothin' - you should see her do this while playing the harmonica and doing the Hula dance with her hands all at the same time. Very cool.

Lauren received a standing ovation. This shot was taken a few minutes after, and she was still smiling about her performance. She takes a moment to revel after the applause. Rylee was going to jump rope using the small pink hoola hoop - and she can do it too. But when she got out in front of the crowd she was overwhelmed. Everybody was chanting her name, but shyness won out. Maybe next year.

By the way, that butterfly tatoo on Rylee's cheek wouldn't come off for church on Sunday. Is this odd to anyone else? At the Mormon party we pass out free sticker tatoo's and encourage our kids to get one on their face? I'm still trying to figure this one out.

My Girls

This is Lauren helping me cover the 1" water pipe so I could see if the water would come out all the places other it should in my sprinkler system. She got a little wet, but it was fun.

Rylee & Lauren bought new hats

Nice bum shot of Rylee. We went to Bear Lake yesterday, that place is amazing.

Rylee has been telling us alot about her imaginary friend named Della. Della came to church with us today. While Rylee had Della on the phone I told her to tell Della to come to dinner but she had to bring me $1 Million bucks. Della agreed and said she'd be over for dinner. Anybody want her phone number?

With her birthday money, Lauren & Rylee both bought some stuff they wanted. These little beads that melt together. . . ????? I don't understand why girls like that stuff. They're not interested in race car sets and laser tag- no, no, no - melty beads and a track for their wind up doll pets. ???

Elder & Sister Mangum at Provo Temple

It was on mom's camera, i couldn't resist.

Tradition

Elder & Sister Mangum at the Traditional MTC Photo spot. They entered the MTC on August 2nd, and we picked them up on August 10th. They had some great stories to tell, found some past friends, made some new friends, listened to devotionals, and sang Called to Serve with all the other missionaries. They stayed with us for two nights before flying out of SLC airport to get back home to Leesville. I hear the rest of our family was there waiting to greet them and hear the stories of the MTC and get some good detail on the whole experience.

Papa and Rylee shucking corn, these two got along well and Rylee still talks about Nana & Papa coming to visit and then going on a mission. This has been a great experience for my girls to see Nana & Papa don the missionary tags.

I have this photo on my computer background, Mom saw it and told me I should share with everyone. She's right, and she is still my mom - so here you go.

The Field is OPEN

It's true, he's back. Elder Mangum I has returned to the mission field, and this time he's brought his own companion.

The picture above was taken in front of the MTC, however, the favorite picture spot with the stone engraving that normally reads, "Missionary Training Center" was gone. Naught but a large chiseled cavity in the wall on both sides of the street. So we settled for the field sign which certainly does apply in more ways than one.

Since that great day back in June when we had a surprise retirement party for mom & dad, they have only had one thing on their minds. . . "Get the house in order so we can get into the mission field." Today was that day. Yesterday was the day I was telling all my friends at church, "I am taking my parents to the MTC tomorrow." The tables have certainly turned, and it was a marvelous experience to see mom & dad take on that missionary countenance which they brought with them to Utah.

When we pulled up in front of the MTC and spoke to the Elder who was assigned to greet incoming couples, I laughed when he told me to take my parents to the Super 8 Motel thinking surely he was joking. He wasn't. The MTC is currently undergoing renovations, including the facility that normally houses the couple missionaries. They put mom & dad up in the Super 8 Motel a few blocks away near the football stadium.

We unloaded luggage from the truck in the Super 8 parking lot, then we shuttled mom & dad back to the MTC.

It brought back memories to walk along the sidewalk in front of the MTC. The last time I walked these grounds was when Laurie & Tim brought me here 17 years ago. I can't believe it's been that long, I had to double check my math just to be sure. Not to steal any limelight from mom & dad, in fact, the last time dad was here was to meet Harold B. Lee for an interview followed by a setting apart done by Elder Ezra T. Benson. Top that, eh.

Mom was nervous, but you can see that she was much more composed than she normally gets for big events - there was an element of commitment in the mix of emotions she was feeling. Once they greeted mom & dad by name when we pulled up and she saw they were expecting her and had a place for her to stay, food for them to eat, and a fairly demanding training schedule for her to follow she seemed to relax. Not a single tear at the departure door when we said goodbye. Just hugs all around, smiles, excitement, and a very strong missionary spirit.

You can't look at this couple now without seeing the Lord's hand in supporting them during all their hard years of work to get here. This was truly a crowning day.

Welcome Back. . . Darth

If you ever want to learn at least 10 new creative techniques for bowling that have never been thought of before - you go bowling with a bunch of Kindergardeners. This was the last field trip of Lauren's school year.

Rylee's gymnastics recital went well. She is so shy when she is around people she doesn't know. A room full of strange adults watching carefully doesn't make the performance any easier. But she can do an Excellent cartwheel, and a handstand into a back-bend.

Lauren has this daredevil streak inside that comes out occasionally. It's fun to watch because I know exactly where she gets it from. . . . Janna. I never did anything like this.

Rylee and I had a preschool field trip and went fishing together. This is at the local fish hatchery, fishing is really not a sport here. You literally put your bare hook in the water and can pull out the fish. So we capitalized on this and Rylee landed 4 whoppers that day. The shortest one was 11". Of course, I didn't want to fish in the kiddie pond with all the other pre-schoolers so we went to the pond with all the "big fish." Somehow, I'm the only one that eats them though.

I coudn't resist. It's been a while since Darth has made it onto my blog page. This picture makes me laugh every time I look at it. Please tell me if you can figure out the context here.

The large driveway is going to have to do until we get grass in. Our yard consists of wicked hard clay and rocks right now. Progress towards having grass is slow.

This is my bathtub. Funny enough, I've never used it though. The girls seem to enjoy it several times a week.

Matt & Cameron Berghout came over IN THE RAIN to help me move some large rocks into place in the front yard. How do you move a 500lb rock 2-3/8 inches to the right?

Poncho Villa came to help me lay sprinkler pipe - and guess what - it rained again. Refusing to be beaten by the rain Adam and I donned some rain coats but gave up when we stood 6" higher each and could no longer lift our 50lb shoes. The best part: Adam didn't have any clothes on under the poncho.

1st Walk Through

It started out sunny this morning, I knew it was going to be a great day. We had our first walk through inspection of our home. As of today, all that is left to do is some caulking around the tub & showers. Obviously, we are all looking forward to moving into our new home. Closing day is scheduled for March 31st.

Soon after we started our walk through tour, the snow began to fly. It would last for about two hours before sunshine again. Spring is such an amazing time, the weather is indifferent and torn between light and darkness.

Our kitchen is ready for our um. . . white refrigerator??? It will have to work for now.

The ground is calling to us for stone stepways, green gardens, Kentucky Blue grass, and a swingset with my girls' laughter to bring it to life.

This picture was taken courtesy of Rylee. We had the stucco repainted, it was initially the same color as the face of the house.

My favorite part. . . the broom so I can sweep the crumbs off the kitchen floor.

Warm enough to Skate

50° on a Saturday in March after a cold winter? Get out the roller skates.

Who Knew?

Lauren & Rylee were insistent on getting another rat for a pet. Who knew they would make such great pets? They don't bark or poop in my yard, they don't get hair all over or claw my furniture, no allergy problems, they're naturally potty trained (only in one spot in their cage).

Meet Sophie & Rosie:

Brick

February 27th, 2010. Brickwork is complete. Wire, trim, and corner beads are up and waiting for cement and stucco.

This is the only time it's okay to coat the entire kitchen floor with mud. Furthermore, make sure it's spread out nice and even. Pantry is in the far corner, sink will be under the window.

That third car garage is calling to me. We almost bought a 4 door Nissan Frontier this week, it was sporty, I loved it. Turns out it would need almost $3000 in body repairs, new tires, and new parts before it will pass a safety inspection. We backed out. Big thanks to my good friend Nathan Kester for a thorough mechanical inspection at Firestone that saved me a lot of money and financial pain.

The large piece of paper is a sign that reads: "No Entry. Wet tile, do not step."

Front entry behind the girls and the garage entrance on the left. Texture is on the walls and ready for painting.

Sunbrook Progress

We worked out a deal where they are going to let us keep the scaffolding in the living room.

Master bedroom with a trayed ceiling, it's waiting for me to mount a fan & light.

some strange wall texture Janna chose.

Rylee runs by our stack of bricks.