Keiths Harry Potter Room

Ever since we added children to the crazy Mecham mix we have tried to come up with creative ways to store and lock up Keith’s guns. We have evolved from a locked box under the bed, to a locked shelf that slid behind the armoire, to the new development; which I have to say I like the best. Keith decided one day when I was at school that he wanted to see what was under the landing by the front door. So he cut out the dry wall in the garage, and discovered a really good sized room. With a little creativity and a new door and lock it has become Keith’s new Harry Potter room. (room under the stairs). Perfect for gun, 72 hour kits, and Christmas present storage.
The room. Keith's guns are to the left and Sam's birthday present is on the right. It worked great to hide Lily's bike she got for her birthday too.

Lily posing by the door to show how big it is.

My Easter Babies

We are almost done with birthdays!!!! We seems to like spring babies, and Lily and Sam’s birthdays are just a few weeks apart.
And apparently Easter tends to be an interesting holiday for us. Last year Sam was born Easter morning. March 23, 2008 at 3:58 AM. And this year Lily’s 4th birthday fell on Easter this year, just kind of funny I guess. Here are some pictures of all the birthday and Easter fun.

Sam's birthday came first, and he had a Knights and dragons birthday party. This was his cake that my sister Keeley, my mom, and I made for him.

Sam enjoying his cake

Sam opening his gifts after a little bit of cake clean up.

Lily's cake.

Lily all dressed up and ready to party. If you could not tell, she had a princess party. We did her birthday on saturday so that she would not get robbed of an Easter again.

Lily in Grandma Egberts front yard. She is such a Diva.

The Easter egg hunt in Grandma's back yard.

I have had an epiphany

I have discovered something ground breaking. Truly an epiphany. Idiots that like to wear their pants half off their butts and show off their underwear, are just reverting back to infancy.

The death and resurrection of the Gollum

Well, life is a roller coaster. But if it were not for the downs we would not enjoy the view from on top. So as you were subjected to my rant and raves in the last blog you have come to understand my distain for Gollum, AKA the green Saturn that my husband usually drives. Maybe I should explain the name. Well its green is a stick so it had to be a boy, and it harbors homicidal tendencies. So Gollum fits. Anyway this afternoon I got the kids all loaded up to head to the store. We were almost there when I realized that my wallet was sitting at home. So I turned around and went home. So far the car was running fine. Nothing really odd, that was until I tried starting it again. And the horrible sound of nothing!!!! The car would not start. After quite a swearing fest and a few kicks to the bumper I gave up and brought the kids inside. After a small panic of what was I going to do, Keith is off playing GI Joe. My dad is deployed too. My brother claimed to have no clue what to do. In my mind I was screwed. Thank heavens for great friends and family. I got a hold on a buddy of mine, Vairin, who came right over. Checked things out, even went and got the parts for me. Just as he was finishing up my brother in law Dallin, Keiths brother, yes the good one, came with his friend Andrew to help. I was so stressed that my two mechanics were out of the country, but I ended up with three. Things really do work out in the end. They got it running for now, but suspect a bigger problem to be dealt with soon, but at a shop. They gave me some great pointers and left. I was so grateful. To make things even better, I took the kids to my mom’s house. We had planned to go to the store together in different cars in case mine died again. Just after I got there my other brother in law Jon came over and looked over it again. He gave it a real good top to bottom check. He even went and got the fluids and filter it needed. The car survived the trip to the store and back home. I really am blessed to have such great guys in my life that are willing to jump right in and help. Thank you.

It always happens… Keith deploys, something breaks!!!!!

So so sad is my week. So Keith was supposed to deploy on Tuesday, then the plane was having issues so it was pushed back to Friday; then Saturday morning; then Monday morning, and now it is for sure at 4 am Tuesday. So needless to say it has been an emotional roller coaster. To top things off my beloved car, my Toyota rav 4 that I have adopted as my 3rd child got sick. The clutch decided to go out just in time that Keith doesn’t have the time to fix it before he leaves, and we can’t afford to have an auto shop do it. To rub salt in the wound, I am now going to have to drive the Saturn while Keith is gone. I know, I know, no big deal. But you do not understand to the degree that I hate that car. It cries for a mercy killing every time you start it. and it smokes more than mt saint Helens. I do understand if you are thinking how lame it is that I am more upset that I can’t drive my car then the fact that my husband is running off to go play G.I. Joe. But I was prepared for Keith leaving. It’s almost the norm. the car was a monkey wrench in the works. I guess I should have expected it. every time Keith deploys something breaks. 1st time, the A/c broke and floated. 2nd the tub leaked all over the basement. 3rd I tried to move the motorcycle out of the snow while pregnant and almost killed myself and Sam. 4th the engine blow and had to be rebuilt and now this. I need a substitute handy man while Keith is gone. I feel better now. Thanks for listening to my rant.

My nightmare in the garage

So ladies if you want something done, sometimes you have to do it yourself. So apparently Keith did not get around to defrosting the freezer. My dad bought half a buffalo and wanted to give us some. So to my surprise when I went to put it in the freezer this is what I found. But also keep in mind this picture is after I had done a good portion of it. I cannot really blame Keith; he has been really busy trying to get things ready for this next deployment. And the freezer is in the garage so out of sight out of mind kind of thing too. note in the picture the odd tools, the hammer, car ice scrapper, and wood chisel.

Christmas 2008

Christmas this year, we woke the kids up early because we had to be at Keith’s parents at 7 am. They were not happy about waking up until presents were mentioned and it was fine from there. Sam didn’t care too much. Just watched. Lily went nuts. Later we went to Keith’s parents then mine. Later that afternoon we went to Keith’s uncle Scott’s for a family dinner. All in all it was a great day. Lily defiantly came out well. She is such a spoiled little girl. It was great.

Lily, thinking she is a movie star with her dress up kit

long day