Misha's Walking Pad

Misha bought herself a walking pad to use while at work. (I believe Amy has one too). They are nice because you can still get some steps in while working.

Salida for the Weekend

While the girls were celebrating together in Utah, Chris and I took a much needed break to Salida. We left after work on Thursday and stayed until Sunday afternoon.

• We hiked to Browns Falls, about 6 miles round trip. We had been there before, but it was one of the hikes not too far away that didn't have snow still.
• We tried a new hot springs — Charlotte Hot Springs. It was great after our hike.
• We enjoyed dinner in downtown Buena Vista after soaking in the hot springs.
• Chris got to go mountain biking twice at a spot not too far from our hotel.
• I worked a little while Chris was mountain biking.
• Attended Sacrament meeting at the Salida branch.

Not sure that Chris was rejuvenated enough to want to make the drive to work on Monday morning, but it was nice to get away.

Sisters Weekend

Misha flew out to Utah for a weekend with her sisters. They had so much fun together.  

• Chris gifted them one of his Hyatt night's that was expiring. They booked a room at a hotel in Park City for one night.
• Misha got her first pedicure on a pampering day with Amy and Kristen.
• They attended a silent disco. Apparently everyone wears their own headphones and dances to their own beat.
• They met up with Kevin and Grandma Ball (she was in Utah for Jonathan's BYU graduation) for lunch.
• The girls drove to Julie's house for Sunday dinner and had fun with her little girls.

Misha was dropped off at the airport on the way home from Julie's and was back home Sunday evening and ready for work on Monday morning.

Kristen's Birthday

She's 21! 

Amy and Kristen spent lots of the weekend together and Amy was so good to make Kristen's birthday memorable.

They went out to dinner together and Amy surprised Kristen with friends coming to Amy's house for birthday cake on Sunday afternoon. 

We Have a Woodpecker

We just can't seem to get away from birds and the damage the do. It was the swallows and the mud nests they tried to build on the side of the house in May/June, the constant mess of the geese, and now we woodpeckers. 

We started hearing them on the roof, tapping at the heat vents. Because they were warm I think. But I happened to notice the continuous tapping noise and walked out to the deck to see that a woodpecker had pecked a huge hole in the roof of our deck.

Blasted birds.

I have tried to catch them anytime I hear them, and they have slowed down their efforts, but who knows if they are building a nest up in the roof now.

Fixing the Woodpecker Mess

Chris hurried to fix the mess made by the woodpeckers on Monday morning before heading off to work. He covered the mess with aluminum sheeting and added some discs.

That kept the birds away, but turns out the discs damaged the wood too so he changed those out with some sparkling outdoor ribbon that blows in the breeze.

Unfortunately, the woodpecker found another spot on the far end of the house outside the garage. I don't hear them there, so I don't get a chance to shoo them away. Apparently, woodpeckers are territorial, so they come back to a spot year after year. I think they are mostly active in the spring.

Chris still wants to climb up on the roof to see if the woodpeckers are damaging it. They like to peck there too and it sounds like an impact driver reverberating throughout the house.

Building a Garden

With the help of AI (Artificial Intelligence), I created a garden plan. We purchased some of the wood using a discount at Lowe's and then Chris ordered the rest of the wood using Pivot Door Company's discount.

Have to say, the small of the cedar in the garage was heavenly.

Chris got his work area set up with the chop saw. I'm glad we didn't have any further to carry the 8 foot garden box. It was heavy. The spacing between the boxes is a little off from my plan. I think the AI was using 1" thick boards in its calculations instead of the 2" boards Chris bought. But, they will be sturdier and last so much longer.

We spent hours on Saturday and got 4 of the 8 boxes put together.

The boards leaning against the fence are redwood, and we will use those to create a top cap. 

Fingers crossed my garden will be successful.

George the Robovac

George, our robot vacuum, continues to be a source of humor. Our girls that he is the favorite child now. Hard to be upset with it when it mops and vacuums the floors!

I noted that one of the mop pads weren't working correctly, so Chris took it apart and gave it a good cleaning. 

I texted: "Dad washing behind George's ears."

Kristen replied: Bet he even calls him "babycakes."

Then Kristen again: Being a middle child sucks!

This hair was curled around the beater bar inside.

A week later, Chris and I were wandering around Home Goods and Chris happened to spot a "Favorite Child" trophy. He texted the pic to the girls.

Amy: But who?!?

Chris: Well, none of you ever gave me one. So NONE!! George gave me one.

Chris had AI create a picture with a trophy and a robot vacuum. It was disliked by all of our girls.

Amy: Stupid George.

Chris Skiing

One of our friends from Firestone, Ben Ahlstrom, invited Chris to go skiing with him at Loveland. Chris drove to the Dinosaur Park n Ride outside of Golden to meet up with Ben and his friend. 

From there, they drove together, first stopping at Breeze Ski Rental in Dumont to pick up some equipment. The weather was great, the crowds weren't terrible, and they spent all day enjoying the ski hills.

Chris arrived back home around 5 pm...with a bit of a sunburnt nose.

Easter Experience

Our stake hosts an impressive Easter experience that allows people to slowly walk through and have an immersive experience of the Savior's last days before his crucifixion. Groups are allowed in one at a time; another group isn't allowed to enter until the previous group has left the first room.

We passed through the gate where Christ made His Triumphal Entry intro Jerusalem.

Entry

The market

The Last Supper

Where Christ washed the disciples' feet

The Garden

An olive press

The crucifixion

The garden tomb

The resurrected Christ

It was very poignant. I am glad that we took the time to go. 

I can't imagine the effort made to create the set pieces and where they store it all (along with the Christmas experience they do as well).

The Living Room So Far

With the addition of the accent chair and another stool that we found at Pottery Barn, the living room is coming together.

I had sent a picture of the stool from PB, and I thought Chris would nix it because of the price. Instead, he said we should look. 

We visited the Easter Experience at the Lexington Stake Center just a few miles from the Promenade Shops at Briargate, and the drove over to PB. As we were looking through the store (I loved all of it and wish I could afford it all), we happened to walk to the back of the store where they had their discounted furniture.

Chris said, "Look down." It was a blue faux leather stool just like we had come to look at and it would work perfectly in our living room. AND it was 70% off!

I love how it has come together.

Two Birds in the House...

... are worth nothing but a lot of effort to get them out. Misha asked if I took any pictures. Sadly, no. I was just hoping they wouldn't poop in my house.

I opened up doors, but they just ignored the obvious out and went toward windows. Finally, I grabbed a broom and scoot them off the window ledge until the frantically found their way to freedom.

Amy Flying More than Chris

It is a sad state for Chris that Amy flies more than he does! She recently went to San Diego with her AE (Account Exec) Sophia where they manned a booth at a conference.

Sadly, Amy and Sophia found themselves tucked into the back corner of the set up. Amy resorted to bribery. She bought donuts and handed them out. She didn't set up as many meetings as she would have liked, but it was definitely a good learning experience.

Her next conference will be April 13-15 in Las Vegas. It is supposed to be the most popular one for industry. Here's hoping for more meeting setups.