Painted Playhouse!!!!

Here's the finished product of The B's Hive! Baylee thought of that name for the playhouse, pretty clever eh? I think the B's are gonna spend a lot of fun time there! (aren't the window boxes so cute???)

Playhouse update...

I've had requests for an update on the playhouse... obviously we are on the home stretch- the end is in sight. We have started putting the siding on the front and when that is thru, we only have to attach the batten boards and paint the exterior. The girls, Parri and her kids, and I already did the inside. We were glad that some of the paint ended up on the walls and not all of it in little girls' hair!

I am sorry to all the other nominees, but the "Father of the Year Award" has been awarded to Tom Abplanalp for excellence in playhouse building! :)

Courtnee's Open House

From left: Jen, Cameron,Paije, Amy, Laura, Courtnee, and Aniston

My friend Courtnee had an open house tonight to celebrate their beautiful new home that fits her, and her husband, their daughter Lilli and their quintuplets very nicely. They've been in about a year, but I hadn't been over to see it yet. It was so fun to see her, and some of my other high school friends; Laura Staker, Jen Rethke Kluver, and Amy Waters. We had a great time just chatting and catching up. My other friend, Laura, is leaving for Italy in a couple of weeks to teach for 2 yrs.- so it was so nice to see her before she goes. I am hoping to go visit her while she's there! :) Although I don't see them often enough, they all hold a special place in my heart with lots of good memories...

Welcome Nixon Lane Palmer

We are so excited to welcome our newest nephew....Nixon Lane Palmer. He was born last night and he looks JUST like Brett did! He was 8 lbs. 1 oz. and he and mother are doing great!

Laundry Remodel and Playhouse...

Long story short, our washing machine died and in the process of replacing it, we realized that a new machine (in the capacity that we need) would not fit our current space. So, had to remove a wall, move some pipes, move some outlets and voila--- new laundry room! If only it were that simple. However, it turned out beautifully. Tom and I did some of the work ourselves and hired some help for the rest. After constructing some walls in the laundry room, Tom was motivated to start building the playhouse he has been promising the girls.

Laundry before

Laundry after
Playhouse in the works (the windows in the bottom corner I got for $1 at a thrift store!)
Hopefully what it will look like eventually!

100 degrees means swimming in the river!

Yes, the Seattle area has had more than our fair share of HOT, yes I mean HOT weather this past month. Seattle broke it's record for all time high since they've been keeping records (like 1892 or something) We have finally cooled down, but when the weather was sweltering we decided it was finally time to cool off in the river behind our house.

Volunteer Park Seattle

Tom had an early morning temple assignment last Saturday, so we went and stayed the night friday night in Bellevue. After I finished my session, Tom still had several hrs. before he was done, so I had a day to myself. What?! Anyhow, I decided to go and see someplace that wouldn't interest anyone else in the family but me. Seattle's Volunteer Park-- I had never been there, but the conservatory is right up my alley! Check out some of the pics- yes I had to ask random strangers to take the ones that I'm actually in... definitely worth the drive if you ask me.