From Brady Bunch to Modern Family

Our house was built in 1973 . . . and our bathroom has not been changed since the day it was built! Our bathroom hasn't been very fashionable (flowers are pretty...why wouldn't you want them painted on random tiles in your shower?), but it has been functional.




Over the past few months, our shower has started to fail us. Some how, the little knob that you pull to get the shower to run, broke. So Carl, being ever so crafty, jimmied up the pulley with some duct tape, and it seemed to be good as new . . .except for the fact that if anyone pulled from the top instead of pushing up from the bottom the tape would pull off and it would break once again.

Ewwww! Look at all the hard water stains! Maybe we also need a new water softener?

Then, all of a sudden, the lever that stops the water from going down the drain broke. So crafty-Carl shoved a bottle in between the faucet and the lever and, ta-da, the bathtub would drain once again!

After using our main (and ghetto) bathroom in not-so-perfect condition for a few months, we decided that enough was enough. We hired a very nice man (Mark) to help us fix a few things. We decided to replace the rosey tiles, get new shower fixtures, new sink fixtures, re-face the cabinet drawers, get a new counter top, and new flooring!!

So Carl and Mark got started . . .

Because the bathtub is not usable, Claire got to take a tubby in the sink! Ella, of course, needed to help in this chore.

Mom decided she likes sink-tubbies, too! Much easier on the old lady's back! I promise to post our new "modern" bathroom pictures as soon as possible!

Ella's first solo ride

Last night, Carl took Ella's training wheels off her bike, and she tried riding by herself! Although she did try a little last summer, she really hasn't had much practice riding by herself. We were all pretty impressed with her first solo ride :)

She is pretty proud of herself...here is a sneak peak!

My new camera!

For quite some time now, I have wanted to purchase a new "big girl" camera . . . and this past weekend I finally pulled the trigger! Carl heard a advertisement on the radio for a big sale going on at National Camera Exchange. I ended up getting $170 off of my new-and-improved camera (which has two lenses!!)

I have joined a "Shutterbug Club". It is a group of teachers who are interested in learning more about photography. It is headed up by a awesome professional photographer who also works in our building. I can't wait to learn as much as I can from him!

I had fun snapping a few photos this past weekend . . . even though I really don't know how to use it yet!! Here are some of my first shots:

Yeah!! We finally got outside :)

so big!

this shot was taken after multiple flashes!

Joc was at the lake this past weekend with her friend, Mandy, which is why she is not featured in any of my photos. Hopefully I will have many more photos to come!

Better late than never. . .

Two weekends ago, we headed north and west to FINALLY meet my nephew, Myles John. He is a sweet little boy who seems to be very cuddly, happy and satisfied :) His mommy, Jessy, looked great (sickeningly great!) and looked like an old pro as she fed and cared for her little man.

M.J. was a real trooper. He tagged along as we went to lunch, hung out at home, and then even took a 45 minute drive to Argyle! I can't wait to watch him grow up and become great play-mates with his cousin, Claire (they are only 9 months apart - - same as Jocie and Daysha)!

Carl stayed back in Argyle on Saturday to take part in the "Vintage Snowmobile Run". This is an annual event that starts in Stephan, goes to Argyle, then onto Warren, and then doubles back the way they came (40 miles total). The race starts at the Northern Lights Bar (shocker) in Stephan, where all of the snow-cats line up for judging. Then the racers head down main street to show off their machines in a parade. The racers then head down the river banks, and speed away (or not . . .depending on the shape of the snowmobile) towards Argyle, where a pit stop is needed at the Farmer Dell (also a bar . . . starting to catch a theme?)

After refreshments at The Dell, the racers head towards Warren to Mick's Bar . . . if their classic snowmobile has the guts to make it that far. Many racers are not that lucky, and breakdown before they can make it. Lucky for Carl and Dwaine, they had a pit-crew (Loren and Diane Adolphson) following them in their vehicle, just in case they were to break down. They made sure to keep a close eye on Team Adolphson throughout their journey! After the second pit-stop, they headed back to the Legion in Argyle for polish sausage and sour kraut. They finished up the run by ending where they started in Stephan.

After all that excitement and fresh air, Carl slept like a rock . . . and so did Claire :)

On Sunday after church we headed to East Grand Forks for brunch at Boppa's house, where we got to spend a little more time with Myles before we had to hit the road.

Here are all the grand kids on the Lundby side . . .poor M.J., surrounded by so many women!

But, on the other side, he has many loving cousins that will be watching out for him!

This weekend, we helped throw a baby shower for Katie (Darin's Katie) who is expecting a baby in the next few weeks. I had fun putting together this diaper cake for the food table.

Katie's due date is April 8th, so we may have yet another Adolphson Easter Baby (same as Daddy Darin, and Cousin Claire). We can't wait to meet him or her!

(Dana, Grandma Judy, Ella, Katie (Darin's), Katie (Keith's), me and Claire)