The Joys of Owning a House

Tom and I love our house.  We love owning a home and making memories here.  There have been lots of highs here, but we are currently experiencing a bit of a low.  

Tom was in Seattle last week.  On Friday, I attempted the trifecta (running the dishwasher, washing clothes, and taking a shower).  Apparently this was just too much for our pipes and madness ensued.  I noticed the back room was full of water (thank goodness we have plastic bins and things are off the floor).  I told Tom that it seemed to be draining back down and he said he'd fix it this weekend.  We had to get to church bingo Friday night (priorities!!) 

Well, Saturday morning Tom went downstairs to check the drain.  He came back up and asked, 

"Was there shit on the ground yesterday?" 

I said, "Yeah, there was dirt and grim that came up with the water." 

"No, Erin, literally, was there shit!?" 

"Ewww no!"

(Excuse my use of the "s" word...I really wanted to paint the picture for you all.)

Tom was a rockstar getting people out to the house to snake the pipe and made about 15 phone calls setting up other people to come out and help us.  We don't know anything more than the pipe is collapsed "somewhere".  Hopefully we will get more answers tomorrow when someone else comes out.  For now, Tom is ripping up the carpet that was saturated with "sewage".  Looks like our basement (and probably our yard) will be getting an unexpected makeover.  We are on Day 2 of "no water use".  I'm really hoping for a quick turn around!

Thanks mom and dad for a place to do our laundry and shower!

Now for pictures from our week...

Soaking up all the beautiful weather we can!

 77 degrees in Feb...that's how we roll

 Then a quick turn around in temperature the next few days. 

Savannah wanted to go see this statue.  She kept pointing at it and saying, "Jesus! Jesus!"

 Friday night was bingo at church.  We really bring the average age down.

 The family that plays BINGO together, stays together.  We were glad to have aunts, uncles, and cousins join in the fun again this year!

2 years running, still no winners.

Saturday night was the annual Benedictine College Scholarship Ball. Our friends love getting dressed up and enjoying this fun night together.  I love hearing about all the great accomplishments coming out of my alma mater.  We are proud to be a part of such a faith filled, generous, and lively community.  

 Friends from the start

Minnesota Weekend

We hope everyone had a wonderful Valentine's Day filled with lots of hugs and kisses!

 "Show me your teeth!"

Reading a book with Grandma 

There is never a shortage of giggles at Grandma and Grandpa's House.

Savannah and I flew out to Minnesota on Wednesday.  We were so happy to discover that our flight was not full so we had an entire row to ourselves! Thank you, thank you!! 

She did a great job on the plane.  Her ears bothered her a bit on the way down but overall she was a trooper!

Papa Jim was sweet enough to drive down to Minneapolis to pick us up and take us to Maria's to hang out with her crew.  Savannah was a little overwhelmed by all the kids but warmed up quickly.  

 Aunt Maria and Uncle Justin have the BEST toys!

Savannah enjoyed story time before everyone went down for naps.

Maria sure runs a well oiled machine!

Savannah says Eva's name ALL THE TIME.  I think partly because it's easy to say, but mostly because she is obsessed with her.  Her love and affection for Eva makes my heart so full.  She was constantly wanting to hold her, kiss her, and just be near Eva all weekend.  

Kisses for Eva

This picture makes it look like it was colder than it actually was.  We enjoyed being outside in the sun.  It felt wonderful!

 Building a snowman...I think Tim was the only one that actually did anything.  Good work Tim!

 At least Tim was looking...cheeeeese!

 Tiny little snowman

Back at it! I told you she was obsessed.

 Saturday, we went to the water park.  (Aside from this picture) Savannah had a smile on her face the entire time.  We will definitely be going back!

A beautiful sunset on our way home from the water park.

A rare (peaceful) picture of Savannah and Brooklyn together.  They are still learning how to co-exist.  Let's just say that Savannah needs to learn how to keep her hands to herself.  

 Tom's solo road trip up north was catching up with him.  

Can you feel the love?

 One of my attempts to capture all three of these silly girls.  

What a beauty!

 This is how the weekend went (at times).  No, Savannah didn't actually bite her, but she does appear to be guilty of trying to.  Where is her mom? (Oh yeah, behind the camera)

 Playing a serious game of  Wist.

 Nana and her youngest grandbaby...for now.  Baby Lopau will be here in about a month!

Fun times between these two....then it went down hill once the camera stopped.  Hopefully our visit in July will go better.

We took off nice and early this morning so we could make a pit stop in Victoria to check out the newest member of the family.  

We love you Mason! You have three wonderful sisters to look up to and 2 fabulous parents.  What a lucky guy!

Thank you Craigmile Family for letting us come in and shake up your morning a little bit!

Tom had to take a call for work at 11, so we rolled into Arby's at 10:59 to give him some quiet time in the car.  

 Savannah loves getting out and stretching her legs on our long trek home.  She never wants to get back in the car. 

We made it home with time to spare before dinner.  We walked straight to the park to run off some energy.  We all needed the activity.  

That's another family filled weekend in the books.

Savannah's first stomach bug

Savannah loves being Tom's little helper.

 Savannah enjoys taking the couch cushions off the couch. This is a couch we bought from the previous homeowners and I don't intend on keeping it much longer.  I let her jump on it and she loves it!

 Last Sunday was another nice park day.  There is an elementary school at the end of our street.  They have an awesome playground!

 Walking home from the park.

 Brave girl crossing the scary bridge. 

Joerger - Party of 3

 Joan has an electric chair.  Savannah has figured out how to use it and enjoys a ride every now and then.

 Monday, we met up with a friend I use to teach with in Leavenworth 4 years ago. The kids enjoyed story time at the library.  Savannah is obsessed with Luke.  Every few seconds she would hug him and pat him.  I think she wants her own baby.

 She took her job of holding his VERY seriously.  She wouln't move her head or look up at me for a picure.  

 NOTE TO SELF:  

Don't let Savannah hold the box of frozen waffles in the back seat on the way home form the grocery store.  

Yes, these were packaged in a cardboard box AND wrapped in plastic.  

She still mangaged to start eating one before we got home.  

 Reading to herself

 Thursday night was one for the books.  Tom had been out of town since Sunday and was expected home anytime.  Savannah had been asleep for about an hour when I heard her starting to cough.  It was unusual for her to do that so checked her monitor.  About 10 seconds later, I watched her puke all over her crib.  I immediatly run to her aid and get her out of her crib.  A little more puke later I have her in the tub trying to clean off when I hear Tom knocking on the door.  Nothing says welcome home like, "Can you go shake the puke out of Savannah's sheets and throw them in the wash." Thank goodness it was a one and done.  Savannah's first stomach bug was one to remember.  

Savannah was taking new stuffed animals to her crib since the others were in the wash.

 Just doing some light reading while getting her diaper changed.  

 More park days ahead!

 She's getting more heair everyday!

 Giving Katie's books a test walk. 

 Mechanic Tom fixed my tire this afternoon.  I managed to run over a screw.

 I would have never noticed this little guy.  Thank goodness my dad checks my tires ALL THE TIME.  

We are excited to head to Minnesota on Wednesday.  Savannah and I are flying up together to enjoy some quality family time with Eva and Brooklyn!