Day of Pampering!!

The Friday before the wedding, the girls who were here(missed you Katelyn!) went to Hawaii Nails for a little pampering. We enjoyed getting manicures and pedicures, relished the paraffin wraps and especially loved being together for a little relaxation. Then, off to lunch at Noodles and Company, one of Allison's favorites. Allison and I really appreciated Kelli taking off work to be with us, she always makes things fun. Kelli was a huge help on Friday and Saturday, cleaning, preparing food, taking care of visitors, and taking many pictures, and just being here! Thank you Kelli!!!

Katelyn leaves home for the MTC

On a beautiful spring morning, March 23, 2011, Katelyn entered the MTC. Katelyn, Allison, Riley, Dad, and I packed up the car and met Kelli and Jake at In-N-Out for lunch. Kate said her goodbyes to Kelli and Jake, then we drove over to the Provo Temple where we took some pictures before dropping Katelyn off curbside at the MTC. When we pulled up, some Elders immediately came up to our car and unloaded her luggage and we said a very quick goodbye. She started to walk away, stopped, then turned, and we just encouraged her to keep going. In my heart, I wanted to say...STOP. This is too hard, don't go. Do something easier. But, alas... we couldn't. It wouldn't be fair to Katelyn. She needs this opportunity to fly and make a life of her very own. She will be amazing. It won't always be easy, but it will be worth it. I miss her.

Riley's last school dance

Riley took Chelsie Nunez to prom this year at the Utah Capitol. He picked her up, then came back to our house and joined with some friends and had Chinese food for dinner. Following dinner, they went to the dance, had their pictures taken and then went to a laser show at the Gateway Planetarium. (hmm...that sounds familiar)

2 pairs of dockers for $10.66!

Yep, that's right! Last night after working on the house all day I decided to run into Macy's to look for a pair of tan pants for Jake. Macy's was having a HUGE sale and I found this rack of dockers that were $9.99 each. They were originally $59 a piece but were marked down for some reason. I found a pair of tan ones and blue pin striped ones and thought I'd be walking out the store with 2 pairs for $20...but when the salesperson rang them up they were an additional 50% off! The total was $10.66. Now, Stacy, this might not seem like such a bargain to you, and I didn't get paid to take the pants out of the store, but I'd say that for just running in to find a pair of dockers and leaving with 2 for this price was pretty good! After I purchased them I call my mom to see what size everyone wears so that I could buy some more, but they didn't have their sizes. I guess that's what they get for being tall and skinny! What a lucky Saturday night trip to Macy's at 9:30!!

More pictures of the house

Here are some more pictures of the house. We've accomplished a lot this week! The apartment is just about ready to go. We're on a hunt for a used fridge. We'd like it to be white and it has to be no more than 30 inches across...just incase any of you happen to come across something.

Sneak Peak

This week has been very eventful for Jake and I because we are now proud owners of a home! We've been doing some work on the basement the last few days so that we can get that rented and then we'll start on the upstairs. Since we've been homeowners we have purchased a tape measurer, all the painting supplies you can imagine, a cordless drill, and a floor scraper. It really has been a lot of fun so far! Watching all that HGTV is sure paying off! Thanks to all our family and friends for their help! Here are some pictures of the progress so far.

Here is the bedroom before painting




Here is the bedroom after painting




Here are some more pictures of the basement. We are laying some laminate tile in the kitchen. We already tore up the old (original, we think) carpet and prepped the floor so that Jake can do the tile during his spring break this week. We are also going to put in carpet in the front room and hallway so it's not the nasty ugly blue.






So if you know of anyone who would like to rent this lovely place please let us know. We have a few potential renters and we are going to put it up today but if you know of anyone that would be great! Now we just need some help switching out the light switches and finishing touching up the baseboards...Mom, do you want to volunteer for that one? You're the best at those finishing touches :)

Happy Birthday Mom!

Happy Birthday Mom! We all hope you have a great day! We're so grateful for you and your example to all of us. We love you!

Remember?

Remember how a few posts ago I announced that there were 93 days till the wedding? Well guess what everyone!? We are down to 17. Which means you guys all come back to Utah soon!! Riley and I are very excited. We had bridals taken on March 30 and will post a picture or two when I get the CD as a preview.

General conference was awesome and I went through the Jordan River temple on April 1st. It was awesome as well.

Kate leaves the MTC soon! Hopefully by tomorrow (her p-day) she will have her flight information and we'll know exactly when she leaves. We may even get a phone call?

Well. Finals are approaching.. a week and 2 days. Ugh. I have 5. And Riley has the same, I think! But after that it's wedding time!

Sister Katelyn Ann Serafine

Well, I thought I would blog one last time before I report to the MTC! I hope you will keep me updated on everything that is happening in your life's! This is the hardest thing I have ever had to do but I think I am ready. I am grateful for all of your love and support with my decision to go! I will miss you all so much! See you in 18 months!!!!!

NEW HOUSE

So in just a few short days/weeks we will be the proud owner of this lovely piece of property. It has been a long 4 months waiting and negotiating prices, closing costs, etc. And can I just say how happy I am to finally be moving in to a place of our own! So as I sit here with nothing to do I am just glady awaiting all the work that needs to go into this house. Painting, cleaning, organizing has never sounded like more fun. I guess we'll see what I'm saying in the next couple of weeks...I don't know if I'd ever buy a short sale again. I would recommend short sales to people who have a lot of patience. Well, I guess for now I'll be grateful that we're closing soon.