Five Brown Kids

Christmas 2016 from jessica brown on Vimeo . We had a pretty simple holiday.  Lots of swimming and basketball, work and playing with friends.  We sent out cards, we took treats to all our neighbors (Thanks Tyrone!), we hung out with friends for Christmas Eve and loved unwrapping presents on Christmas day. Big D's family came over to eat dinner with us one night. Ready for 2017!

Blythe and Jaxon both had birthdays this weekend.  On Saturday morning we had pancakes for breakfast for Blythe and sang happy birthday and opened a present. Sunday morning we ate biscuits with Jaxon and sang happy birthday. (Then went for a hike because it was a fabulous 65 degree December day) Tyrone was gone on call all weekend hiding out in the cottage next to the hospital.  So after church we drove down to Tyrone's work town, went to a big Christmas light show, ate supper and then ended up at the cottage where Tyrone had decorated with balloons and streamers and had cake.   That's one way to celebrate....           

 

While mom works   

The deciding factor in purchasing our new house was the basement! The rec room was already finished and there was a framed in but unfinished bedroom and bathroom. That meant everyone could have their own bedroom and the girls could have a separate playroom from the boys' rec room. After talking with a friend who had just finished a whole house renovation he encouraged us to do it ourselves as the general contractor and just hire out all the trades.  I decided to go for it - made a budget, got the permits and started getting quotes and then scheduling workers. It worked out perfectly. The HVAC people came first, then an electrician before my dad showed up and did some framing for insulation and boxing out the HVAC ducts. I ordered a vanity, toilet, tub, sink and fixtures to match the rest of the house. (Amazon will deliver a full size tub/shower to your door!) The plumbers showed up and roughed everything in. Then Tyrone and I did the insulation ourselves. (It passed on the ...