Sam!

Seth and I were lucky enough to meet up with one of my most favorite roommates from college (and her hubby, Peter) this weekend in Baltimore before their flight back to Boston. Seth and I took them on a "walking tour" of the Inner Harbor (not entirely on purpose) before grabbing a quick lunch and heading to the airport. It was so good to see Sam & Peter! Can't wait to see you again!

(Although I already adore Sam, she won extra points for referring to me as "tiny" when she saw me in all my pregnant-ness. Quite possibly the only time in my life that word has been used to describe me. Thanks Sam!!)

Thankful for Chainsaws and Turkey

Thanksgiving was most enjoyable this year. Seth and I drove down to join Mom, Dad and Joan along with both Grandpas for a day of chopping trees and eating good food.

The men-folk headed out right away to work on getting some trees down. The first to come down was a "practice" tree, but then it was on to a big one close to the house. It was decided that it wouldn't be a good idea to cut it at the base, it's a tall tree and there were worries it would hit the house on it's way down. So...it was decided that it would be a good idea to have Grandpa climb to the top of a ladder and cut the tree down from there, and then cut the rest of the tree down after. The video isn't too bad, it at least gives an idea of how tall it was. That's Grandpa wielding the chainsaw at the top of the ladder, and Dad H is on the rope. Before the tree actually comes down, Seth joins his Dad to help on the rope. I'm afraid the video really doesn't capture the big crash at the end. Oh well...



All the boys took turns cutting the wood. I'm pretty sure there will be enough firewood to get them through the winter...and probably the next ten! I also learned today that to live in Maryland two must-have items are: chainsaw and a leaf-blower. We'll work on that for Seth.

After the tree excitement it was time for some good eats. Mom H prepared a serious feast for us. I helped where I could in the kitchen, but quickly realized I'm not much help! When it came time to "roll out the rolls" I think I may have had a slightly panicked look on my face. (What? Rolls don't come from the freezer section or the Neighborhood Bakery??) Seth was the only one who dared point out that my crescent rolls looked more like whales. Ah, I try. I do feel my cranberry sauce and pumpkin cheesecake saved some of my cooking dignity.

Leaves Are Fallin' All Around...

We were checking out some of the pics on Seth's camera, and decided to post a few of our recent favorites. We've had some requests for pictures of the trees changing out here. This picture is clearly lacking trees. Seth took it last week while we were exploring our backyard (literally). I "hiked" to the top of the hill...then realized that was the most "hiking" this pregnant girl has done in a while and thus, I waddled home...oh wait, that's not entirely true. On our way back to our house, we realized we had visitors, and we ran the last little bit to meet them at the house... the waddling took place the rest of the evening. (For those that have asked for preggo pictures, just picture Geri, rounder stomach, and a slight bow-legged gait. There you go!

I really like this tree. It's on our street,and I love how RED it is. I don't know that the pictures do it justice, it was bright red. About the time the leaves started looking ugly on it, it's buddy, one tree over, turned bright red too. Awesome. They must be Ute Trees.
This was one of our many jaunts down to DC last month. Seth loves to catch me when I'm not paying attention (at least he didn't get me picking my nose or something...) I sometimes laugh when he's taking pictures of me from a distance, and I am pretending not to notice...the thought crosses my mind..."Who's the big stalker now??" That's right, we've both got a little stalker in us.
I don't really know what to say about this one, I think it kind of speaks for itself.

Flooring 101

Step 1: Begin with brand-new, unsoiled, non-upgraded carpet.

Step 2: Document the messy house, and the sweet vinyl in the kitchen.

Step 3: Remove the baseboards. (Warning: it is possible the builders may have used 80 nails to attach foot long sections...may take time)

Step 4: Cut carpet into large sections and roll it up. Watch your fingers when assisting Seth in the rolling, he may try to roll them up in the carpet...OUCH! Once carpet is rolled, remove paper-thin carpet padding. (Be thankful you upgraded the carpet and pad in the rest of the house).

Step 5: Pry the vinyl and the board it's attached to off the subfloor. Be prepared to hammer down hundreds of staples that were apparently necessary in attaching the vinyl. Step 6: Remove the carpet tack strips. This may cause giant, blood blisters. (Side note, you know how kids have two different cries of pain? Type one: they let out giant wails and cry for a bit...Type two: you hear the thump, see the pain, but no cry comes out. They are stuck in that wide-mouthed silent wail. That's when you know it realllly hurts. Yeah, I let out the silent wail when I caught my palm between the prybar and the hammer.)Step 7: Step back and admire the demolition. Step 8: Adjust to life in mayhem and dust. Step 9: Roll out the smelly felt paper. Get used to having black floors, you'll be looking at these a while. Oh, and that pile of wood in the corner...that's over 3000 pounds of wood. I helped Seth with a max of maybe 75 pounds of it, for one he didn't want me lifting anything too heavy, and for another I was too nauseous to be of much help. He's amazing for carrying all of that upstairs from the basement by himself. Step 10: Convince Dad H that he wants to spend the day helping with floors.
Step 11: Admire the work, it's slow but steady. (You will quickly realize this is going to take more than a few days. For one, you only have a few hours each night to work on it, and it's just the two of you!)
Step 12: Try not to fall apart, when your parents, sister and friend come to visit and THIS is what your house looks like. Also, try not to glare at people when they say, "aren't you done with those floors, yet?" Instead bite your tongue and kindly say, "nope, not yet." Then hold back tears as you wish some of your buddies from home were around, because you know they'd be there from beginning to end. Now is also a good time to apologize to amazing husband for throwing up every ten minutes, and in reality, slowing down his progress. Although he claims you are really a "big help". Step 13: A big thanks to Dad G and a rainy day spent with Seth. Front half of the house is completed! (Sorry, no pics, I guess they moved too fast).

Step 14: Tackle the kitchen. Fridge first. Thank amazing husband again for his patience and his hardwork.
Step 15: Accept the much appreciated help of Dad H and cousin Luke for their help in the kitchen area, stove completed.

Step 16: Work your tail off to finally have the floors done. Once laid down, you will then need to reattach the baseboards, touch up the paint and call it good for now!

Step 17: Enjoy the fruits of your labors! (Ignore the fact you are still waiting on a few pieces of molding for the kitchen and stairs from the builder...it will come). Just enjoy how great it is!!

Ahh, I love the new floors. I am sooo grateful that they are done, it took just under a month and a half. Seth claims he's excited to tackle the next home-improvement project, I personally think we'll hold off 'til after the holidays. I can't even begin to say how awesome Seth was through all of this. I was a wreck, and not much help at all. He pushed through and worked his tail off to make our house BEAUTIFUL!!

A Utah man sir, will be til I die, KI YI!

Seth and I were extremely bummed that we don't have the MTN out here in Maryland, so we couldn't watch the Utah-TCU game. Thankfully Kellie (my fellow Utah alum sister) kept us posted with text messages. I must say, at times we thought it wasn't looking good.

It began with a phone call, where she informed me the score was 3-0, TCU.
The rest of the texts for the evening went a little like this:

• TCU 10-0. They are freaking fast.
• Louis kicks as 49 yard FG. 10-3 TCU.
  
• TCU marches down the field but we sack the QB and put them out of FG range. 2nd qtr.
• Defense and crowd finally helping us. 3 offsides penalties on TCU and they punt. Blackout is awesome!
• Interception! 25 seconds left to go in the half. Go Utes!
• Louis kicks a FG. 10-6 at the half.
• And we're back. Scare for a TCU TD but was out of bounds. Next play huge sack by Kruger and they are out of FG range. Utes ball.
• Offense can't get anything going. I am going insane.
• End of 3rd. 10-6 TCU. Defensive battle.
• TCU bounces a FG off the upright for a miss. Still 10-6.
• 2:48 left TCU botches another FG.
• UTAH TOUCHDOWN!!!!!
• 13-10!!! 47 seconds left!
• Utah intercepts with 4 seconds left!!! We win! 13-10!
  

I saw this video on a few fellow Utes blogs a few weeks ago, and didn't want to jinx my Utes by posting it too early. But after last night, I think it's safe. Besides, it really makes me laugh. Turn the music off at the bottom of the blog, and don't be offended, it's all in good fun.



Now, we all know what really matters is the game in two weeks. Anyone want to host two kids at their house to watch the game on the 22nd? (We will be wearing a lot of red and cheering extremely loud.)

A Visit to the Haunted Woods

Seth and I mustered up all of our courage and headed over to his aunt and uncle's house to attend a bonfire in their Haunted Woods. We enjoyed some tasty hot dogs and yummy cider, then we gathered up our mob and headed deeper into the woods. Frights galore! I'm afraid I don't have any pictures of the actual hike through the woods. I was too busy squealing and running from the big, hairy, beady-eyed spider that was attacking me. (It's possible it wasn't exactly real). When I wasn't being attacked by a spider, we were coming face to face with ghosts, graveyards and witches. Creepy!! To ease our rattled nerves, we gathered around the fire and told scary stories. As always the infamous story of Booger Rock Holler was retold. Ah, the visual of Seth and Byron clawing their way out of the car as the blue, fiddle-playin' dog attacks from the back seat (or Aunt Susan hiding under a sheet) still brings tears to my eye. Poor kids.

Oh! The creepy spider, now see why I was running? I don't like spiders. I have a sneaking suspicion this is not the last I will see of that nasty spider...thanks Matt. And thanks to the Sheridan's for such a fun night! We'll be back!!