Sunday, July 27, 2014

Catching up - Vacation and a House Break-in

So it has been almost two months since I last posted anything on the blog.  A lot has happened.  This will be a longer post.

The first half of July we spent in Utah on vacation.  We were able to spend time with family.  It was nice to get away from work and spend some time with those we love and those we don't get to see often.  We missed my older brother and his family while we were there with some of the extended Blackham family.  It would have been really nice to see him, Kim, and the kids.
Gus with a Sparkler

Gus with a Sparkler

Gus lighting a firework

Lilly lighting a firework

One of the weeks, we were able to go up to Park City and spend a few days in a condo that my parents have up there.  One of those days, we spent time at Park City Mountain Resort, doing the activities there.  Lilly and Sarah had a lot of fun on the Alpine Slide and the Alpine Coaster.  Lilly did her final run on the Alpine Coaster with me.  She told me not use brakes at all.  We went really fast and had lots of fun.
Sarah and Uncle Chad - Alpine Slide

Lilly and Aunt Kate - Alpine Slide

Gus on the Merry-Go-Round

Sarah on the Merry-Go-Round

Lilly on the trampoline

Lilly doing some flips on the tramp

Lilly doing some flips on the tramp

Sarah on the tramp

Sarah on the tramp


While we were on vacation, we got a call from the young women we had left in charge of the house while we were gone.  When she came over Sunday, the 6th of July;  she found that someone had broken into the house!  The master bedroom was ransacked and Jess's computer was missing.  We had a friend come over and meet the police who dusted for fingerprints and took a police report.  Our home teachers cleaned up our bedroom before we came home.  The thieves took a couple of computer's, some electronics, and jewelry.  We are still getting stuff put back away and listing everything that was taken.  At least there wasn't anyone in the home to get hurt.  It seems like they were interrupted, since they only took a few things.  They left my computer, as well as the TV and other electronics.  We have tried to take the attitude that it is only stuff.  However, it is still painful to have to go through and decide what needs to be replaced, as well as those things that can't be, like some of Jess's jewelry that she had since she was a child and wanted to hand down to our girls.  Some of it doesn't have much value, but has a lot of value to Jess.  We also need to decide what we need to do to the home to make it safer.

Our Bedroom

June saw us getting the home setup and settling into Summer, with the kids finishing school in their old school and getting out for Summer.  Shoreline and Seattle both have school through most of June.  The kids finished on June 20th this year.  Jess is already ready for the kids to get back to school.  We are looking for a few extra curricular things for the kids to get involved with this year.  We need to start the kids with piano lessons and do swim lessons as well.  All in good time.  :)

We planted a garden last week.  However, we did have to build it ourselves.  There wasn't a spot for it, so we dug out 5-6 feet from the fence line to make space for a garden.  It looks like there was a garden there at one point but the previous owner used wonderboard underneath the dirt.  We had to pull that out as we cut back the grass.  We have a few things planted and hopefully will have some stuff from the garden this year.

The kids helping to build a garden

The kids helping to build the garden

Gus and his chocolate addiction.  This was from a fondue night.


We are so grateful for all those who are around us and help us in various ways.  Thanks for all the support.