Some projects last way too long.

That's how we feel about this Farmhouse dining table and benches, well now just the benches.
Our table broke 2 1/2 months ago. Building our new table took a day. And 2 months later building the benches took a day. Staining was our downfall and robber of these 2 months time without a dining set. Now after much trial and error we'll remember to research more and jump right in a little less. Not our forfeit. Of course nothing educates better than firsthand experience.

We learned that polyurethane stain (stain + polyurethane mixed in) does not bond well with raw wood. We also learned that nothing dries here in our Illinios summer heat and humidity.

I'll spare you the details and more of our staining drama. Just know it does not have to be this hard. When we did it the right way it was pretty darn fast and easy. We do love how our table turned out.

And the benches should be done anyday now especially if we actually work on them :). We've pittered out on enthusiasm. Sitting to eat is overrated anyhow, am I right? JK we do have our old chairs which don't quite fit the height of our table but work.

It was exciting times for the kids while staining the table. For two weeks (mostly time spent drying inbetween the stains and restains) the kids picniced on the floor or ate at their little outdoor picnic table. And yes we had a few too many meals on the fly during that time while Heath and I slaved away. They were in cereal and hotdog heaven.

I'll try to snap a picture of the final result. I'm sure most people could make and stain these table and benches in a weekend. Wish that was our experience ;)

A home for catapiller

I was sanding down some benches in our garage with the girls playing in our driveway when Elli comes to me running and yelling. "Mommy! Mommy! I fine a Caterpillar. And he loss his Mommy!" She was very insistent that I come and help her and Saydee right away.

But, alas when I got there to help the little Caterpillar "find his Mommy", he was nowhere to be found. We searched forever. Then Saydee says to me "Mom, I think I know the problem. He just can't find his home or maybe his house burned down." (She is obsessed/scared of fire and things burning up).
So they set out to build him a new one. And now they are waiting for him to find his new home, and his Mommy too.

This Week.

A few days ago, a little kid jumped off the play mats at my work and landed on Elli's arm. She cried for a long while which is unusual for her and then has been real careful not to use that arm since. We thought, great its broken. So the next day we took her in to get it checked out. After some X rays, we were a bit shocked to learn she had actually broken it 2-3 weeks ago, but no new fractures. Dr says its healing great on its own and shouldn't need a cast. She said she's probably hurting more from the deep tissue bruising. Give her Tylenol.

I felt terrible, but she showed absolutely no signs that she was hurt. Apparently she has a very high pain tolerance. But now she won't use her arm and I can tell it hurts her. So if it doesn't get better soon, we'll have to take her back in. Still so sweet and happy.



Today we spent the day with our good friends. Amy and Mark have two little ones the same age as ours. Saydee calls Josh her prince. They are all so cute together, even despite the occasional crankiness. No naps, lots of drama. And today Saydee learned to ride Josh's bike.

Also this week I got an email from Saydee's sunday school teacher who shared with me this story...
Last week I was teaching the kids about family trees, and the manual said to teach them about how they're related to their aunts and uncles. I thought it was going decently enough until Saydee interjected with, "Oh I already know about that. We have lots of ants on the trees at our house!"

Oh little Saydee, we love you!

And a big Congrats to the Briel Family. Tyson has a new baby sister!

More of our Utah Trip

Last time we were in Utah with family I didn't take as many pictures even though I had a few months with them. I regretted that. So lesson learned and this time we went picture overload. But really when we only get together once or twice a year you gotta take a lot of pictures.

Lance, Jennie and the girls came up to visit. We had so much fun and our girls just love Brinklee and McKenzie. We went to this old rustic park in Tremonton. I don't remember the name but it was neat.

Saying their goodbyes.

We got to go to Tyson's back to school night. His teacher seems really nice and fun. Tyson was ecxited to find quite a few friends in his class. He is growing so fast and we were sad to say our goodbyes. Its always a little rough for us and the girls to adjust to not having him around again. We all miss Tyson.

While we went to Tyson's school night, Saydee and Elli got to go to Tremonton's parade for fair days with Grandma Nese and Aunt Tysha and Nic and Cyndi's family.

One day we picnicked at Portage park and played in the sprinklers.

We met sweet little Daisy for the first time. She is so happy and made me baby hungry.

Cyndi would turn the water down real low and coax the kids into playing in it and then...

soak em.

Of coarse they loved this.

And Bryson caught on quick. I love his mischievous expression.

Cyndi took some of these cute pics of the kids sitting in the sun.

Playing with cousins is so fun.

After a trip like this homesickness hits us pretty hard. We love being with family.

Knight Family Reunion 2010

We had so much fun at our annual Knight family reunion. We were all bummed that Amy and Devon and Isaac, Kietra and their family couldn't make it. Two nights before they were to leave little Maddi was life flighted to Boise. But she is now out of the ICU and doing much better. The results of much prayer and fasting. We are so happy sweet baby Madilyn is in our family.



As for the reunion Mom, Dad and Breanne planned it again this year with a fun Hawaiian theme. We had a slipnslide repeat because it was such a hit last year. Perhaps a new tradition. And there was some hula hoopin, games, limbo, fishing, lots of good food and shaved ice, yum! Mostly we just loved being together. So we all combined our pictures and put them on a cd. Here are a few of my favorites. You can click on the collages to enlarge them.

The boys fishing with Grandpa...





We so enjoyed the beautiful mild weather. The kids were so excited to be with their cousins.

Tyson formed an air guitar band. They really got into it. Adorably serious. Tyson of coarse was lead guitar, Alli lead singer, Shylee on drums but requesting the guitar, and Saydee, the trumpet we think. They didn't know we were watching at this point. So cute.

Scott took Limbo Champion!

Scott and Renae and their little family prepared an awesome Tia Kwando presentation.

On Sunday we had to take Tyson back and then spent the evening at Temple Square.

More of the Slipnslide just because I feel its needed.

Some family Pictures. We are so lucky to have amazing parents. This expression is a classic Dad one. Love them both so much.

The Knight Grandkids minus Gabbi and little Madi.

Now we are on count down until next year. We love and miss our family.