Drippy Puddles...

Apparently, when we retiled our upstairs master bath about a year and a half ago, we didn't fix the problem. We knew there was an issue when a nice drippy puddle ended up in our basement bathroom one morning after showers.

The reason for the drippy puddle became clear when the cleaning and restoration people who cut into the wall said, "Huh, your tub doesn't have an upward facing phlange." The plumber came and said, "Huh, your tub should have an upward facing phlange, and it doesn't." Then the tile guy also mentioned that he would not EVER tile around this kind of tub because....yep, no upward facing phlange. Now, the guy who contracted and built our home SHOULD HAVE KNOWN THIS!! In fact, when we came to look at the house, there was this unmatching tile in the shower area. His reasoning was that he and his wife were "BATH PEOPLE, NOT SHOWER PEOPLE". Oh yeah, that wasn't a red flag or anything. Being first time home buyers, we completely just loved the house and bought it anyway.

Well, as you may have guessed, if the tub has a downward facing phlange, the tub is designed to be a free standing tub that sits on a tiled frame. Because we tiled on top of it, the water can still wick behind the tile. Water accumulates and viola: instant drippy puddle! That is our problem. The restoration people were very impressed with the tile job Cameron and Rodney did. The tiles were spaced properly. The grout was intact. The silicon caulk was in great condition. The problem was the silly PHLANGE!!

So out came all the tile and wet sheet rock in the master bathroom and basement bathroom, too. We have gone from a 3 bathroom home to a ONE bathroom home. Needless to say, togetherness takes on a whole new meaning and the close quarters continues for what we have been told will take up to and perhaps longer than an entire month.

Kendal's New Room

Oh, how times change. When we moved into this house, there were just three of us: Cameron, Tari, and Kendal. We had moved from Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, where we rented a 2 bedroom 1 1/2 bath second floor apartment. We had plenty of room in that tiny flat, and all our belongings fit easily in a 20 foot trailer. We looked at many houses and the ones we wanted didn't fit our budget. Then we found our home.

This 5 bedroom, 3 bath, 2800 sq. ft. house seemed gigantic and we thought we would never be able to fill all the rooms. We have loved this house and have made many memories here. We have filled all the upstairs rooms with babies and toddlers and preschoolers. Kendal was getting a little cramped.

So...the newest memory of our home is the exclusion of the toy room and the new funishings for Kendal's new bedroom downstairs. He is in first grade, and now thinks he needs his own room.

To make sure he loved it, and would stick with the new arrangement, he got to choose his bedding and curtains. It is all about "How to Train Your Dragon". He was completely excited to have his new room.

The first couple nights were a little bit of an adjustment. Kendal felt that he was far away from us (mom and dad) and that he was lonely (without his siblings) but he has really been happy having a place to read and put his own things where others won't break or move them.

It has taken some time, but the rooms are full. Hopefully they are full of love, fun, friendship, life lessons, and family ties!! It doesn't matter where you are, the love of a family always follows you, even if it only down a flight of stairs.

Progress in Pooping

Drew is SLOWLY deciding that diapers are OUT!! He takes them off whenever we are not looking and TRIES to lounge about the house with his bottom half just ...uh,...out there.

Yes, you are seeing what you think you are seeing. That is his first poop in the potty!! Every proud parent should have a picture of each child at this momentous occasion. It is a milestone that should not be forgotten. Now, Drew will never miss the opportunity to relive this grand moment.

I vow this day, as your doting mother, that every girl that shall come through our door to date this fine youth shall not leave without partaking of the spirit of this day.

It is my gift to you, My Son, as you have given me such a gift.

Love you, Kid!! You are growing too fast!!

The Bryan Four

Grandma Bryan has an eye for beautiful Easter dress clothes. The kids looked so adorable in them, we had to book a photo shoot with JC Penney to capture it properly. I think they did great considering Drew was completely against it. Enjoy!
See Drew's arm around his baby sister? Cute, huh?

Could sisters be any happier to be sisters?

They completely love each other!!

This kid has my heart!! He is the BEST big brother ever!!

The only way to get Drew to smile in situations like this is to get him to think he is doing something naughty. Peek-a-Boo did the trick. Look at the delight on his face!!

Heaven bless the sweet photographer at JC Penney for not giving up when I was ready to.
Thanks again, Grandma Bryan!!I'll treasure these pictures forever!!

Avery Takes A Stand

I know it is all about the journey, and not arriving at the destination. I know it gives her experience and exposes her to learning opportunities and interaction with people, music, culture....





We put Avery in dance class @ 2 1/2 years old AND SHE LOVED IT!! So, we have kept her in because she is so pretty in her costumes and SHE KNOWS EVERY STEP!! Well, it seems when she is on stage and cannot see the audience, she does well, BUT when it comes to the assisted living facilities where everyone is visible...well, you can see.





I have to say though, she has a great talent for standing there, looking pretty!!

Don't worry...we still went out for ice cream!!

Bryan Babes!!

Thank Heaven for little girls!! I completely love mine!!

Boise Zoo And Swimming Too

April 17th, 2010. Jan Taylor, for her 32nd birthday, ran a half marathon, the most difficult half marathon in the area!! I would've done it with her, if I didn't have this trick knee from an old high school, army, extreme waterfall jumping injury. But because of my severe handicap, we (Cameron, Grandpa Butikofer, and Tari)decided to take all the kids to the Boise Zoo.

It was a perfect day!! The kids were awesome. Even the zoo food tasted good. We saw penquins, zebras, tigers, owls, goats, insects, monkeys, snakes, bats, rats, and ring-tailed lemurs. It was a fun zoo. We had a blast!!








We then headed to our hotel for some swimming, pizza, and movie!! This was the only swimming picture IN FOCUS!! Needless to say we had a great time!! Thanks Boise!! Thanks, Taylors!! Thanks to Team Bryan for a pretty good first family trip as a team of six!! I am almost ready for another big trip!!