The 4th in Utah

For the 4th of July we went to Utah for the Larsen Family Reunion. Merrill had to work the during the week, which was when the reunion was, so we left on the 1st to spend some time with his family and he came home on the 4th so that he could work the next day. Darci and I stayed until the 11th. The reunion went from the 5th to the 8th and then our niece was blessed on the 10th. There was a lot going on while we were there. I only took a few pictures, I got the rest from My sister-in-law (Thanks Sharon)!
The trip started off with Darci and I both getting sick when we got there. I had a ridiculous cold, and Darci seemed to be better the 2nd day, but then ended up taking her to urgent care on Sunday, her only symptom at that point was that she cried every time she tried to eat. (She never had a fever, just 99 the first day with a running nose) She had a double ear infection. We started anti-biotics and switched back and forth with tylenol and ibprofen, which helped a ton, by the end of the day she was acting totally normal (I wish it was that easy for me).
Here are some pics of the week:

Aunt Kelly reading stories to Darci.

Our super cute little niece, Eve. So, happy we finally got to meet. They've lived in Texas and just moved to Michigan. Way too far away.

Darci and Eve had fun together. Darci liked to boss her around, she would get mad and say "NO" when Eve was fussy.

Darci and Grandma Larsen

Not really sure what that look is all about. She sure did have fun at the reunion playing with all her 2nd cousins. There were a lot her age.

Darci and Grandpa at Cascade springs. We had a fun little walk through the park until I got stung by a black wasp (we think thats what it was, we didn't really see it, just the back end as it disappeared over the back of the bench). It got me on the inside of my little finger, very sensitive spot, it hurt BAD! But Darci still had fun with Grandpa

(This is before the sting).
This is where we took our engagement pictures, this spot was the picture that we sent out in our announcements. Too bad Merrill wasn't there to join me in the picture. This is basically exactly 4 years later.

Darci and Gracie playing on the stairs. Gracie is Merrill's sister's husbands sisters daughter. Or to say it easier, My sister-in-laws niece ;)

The Larsen granddaughters (minus Chiara, wish you were there).

Messy hair

At the reunion, we were getting ready for the big pot luck dutch oven dinner and a storm came, we hurried and put everything under the huge covered area, closed up the tents, some put theirs away or took everything out. The wind was intense, the rain was POURING hard and lots of thunder and lightening. So we got all bundled and waited it out under the covered area. I put Darci's coat and hood on, and she had to make sure Mommy's hood was on too.

Darci wouldn't go down for a nap one day and just when we were about to eat dinner she couldn't wait for me to dish it up, she started a huge fit and while I ate, she fell asleep fussing in my arms, so I just laid her down on the ground for a bit.

We had lots of fun, it was so good to see everyone, it's not very often that we get to see Merrill's family. We are so grateful that we were able to come. Hope to see everyone again soon!

Our house- A Preview

We Closed on our house June 30th. And the next week after Merrill got back from Utah he and my parents started re-finishing the wood floor. It was really worn out and yellow looking, and just did not look that great. Merrill knew that it would be a big job, but it was even bigger than we expected. He sanded down the finish, and then sanded even more going up on the grit of the sandpaper, plus going around the edges with a hand disc sander. The sanding took many days of work, and Merrill did pretty much all of it, with the help of my parents. They also put down some wood putty to cover holes and such and sanded that down. then we had to clean ceiling to floor really well before we started the stain and finish. We spent most of a Friday just cleaning up all the saw dust from the sanding. Then Merrill started the stain, let that dry over night, then did the first 2 coats of finish. Then a couple days later he sanded lightly over the finish, cleaned up from that, and did 2 more coats of finish. Living room, hall, and 3 bedrooms, many days/hours of work, back pain and frustration and its finally done, and I love it. Thank You Merrill, you did a great job!

Before.
It doesn't look too bad in the picture, but its lighter, more yellow and worn out in places, the most worn out spot was about where I was standing to take the picture, it looked like the finish was completely gone in that spot.

And the finished floor. Doesn't it look awesome!

More views

Now we are deep cleaning the kitchen and bathrooms and giving the floor more time before we move any furniture on it. We are getting our stuff out of storage and putting it in the garage for now. In the next couple weeks we'll have things moved into the house and then I'll get some more pictures up.