Bathtub Cleaning Miracle!

When we moved into the duplex we are living in now it was kind of dirty; the tenant before us was a chain smoking bachelor with a huge dog.  I, being slightly crazy about certain types of cleanliness, scrubbed everything from the blinds to the ceilings, from the doors to the walls.  One place that I was adamant about cleaning was the bathroom. However no matter how hard I tried, I could not get the bathtub clean.  I scrubbed it, I soaked it in bleach, I soaked it in baking powder and vinegar, I tried ammonia, I tried tons of 'proven' cleaners and I could never get my bathtub clean. I figured that it was scratched or the finish had come off- I mean, I have been washing my baby in that tub and thought I got it as clean as I possibly could!

                        ( I can't find my before picture- but just believe me- it was nasty!!)

 Two years have gone by and my bathtub still looks dirty until earlier this week when I found the TRICK.  I was out of sponges so I decided to scrub out the cleaner with a Magic Eraser and WALA it took off the grime.  I thought that magic erasers were for smudged on walls and stuff and for dry use only but NO- IT WORKED.  I also did not know that as you use them they disinigrate and become smaller (I guess that makes sense with the whole eraser thing) but in cleaning my tub I used almost two (I am now out and must go get more- this is amazing). 

So yes, it is gross to see my dirty tub and weird that I am telling you about my new cleaning wonder but... I just had to tell someone!!  (I told Ben and he actually responded with a honest and truthful, "Wow, what did you do!?"  Yes, he is amazing!)

An "UP-DO"

When pregnant my prayers for the baby usually went like this..."Please let her to be healthy and please, oh please, let her have the Newson's thick beautiful hair."  I guess I was not humble enough because my prayer was only 1/2 answered.  We have a beautifully healthy thin fine haired little girl.  I think as she get's older it might get thicker but for now it is soft (like a baby chick) and sticks straight up.  I always see Gwyn's hair up in these berets with curls and I get jealous- so I tried to put Elizabeth's hair up last night.  I did it straight out of the bath (so that it wouldn't be puffy yet) but alas... it is not long enough!! I will just have to PATIENTLY (yikes) wait a couple more months.

Memorial Day Hike

On Memorial Day (September 2) we went, with Kristin and Nate Woods, on a hike in Rocky Mountain National Park.  It was a beautiful hike, about 6 miles round trip, and the weather was beautiful .  We hiked up to some falls and got to sit and relax (and explore) while enjoying nature.  Elizabeth did great in her carrier and really loves being outside (when it's not too hot).   I love to hike but I have a problem; I watch my feet (becuase I am accident prone and trip- a lot) and so I often miss the view.  On this hike Ben kept saying, "Look up now Brea, the path is straight and it is beautiful."  It really was beautiful and it made me just that much for grateful for the amazing world we live in and for the beauty in Colorado.

Ben hiked up and around the side of the waterfall to get pictures- while I stayed below with Elizabeth

Afterwards we went to lunch at the Baldpate Inn, outside of Allen's Park.  This is one of Ben and my favorite places to go and it was great!! 

Announcing: BABY BOY LUNDGREEN!!

After MONTHS of waiting, seriously there were like...9, we can finally announce that Erica and Rich's beautiful baby BOY has arrived!!  He was born after a week of false labor and doctors visits on Friday morning August 30. He was 7lbs 4oz and was born so fast that his face and head weren't squished at all- he was such a pretty baby. 

 I got to go see him that afternoon and hold my 13 hour old nephew, Luke Stones Lundgreen.   He has joined a wonderful family with amazing parents and excited sisters.  We are excited for the family and especially excited for a BOY!!

Just to Confuse Posterity: Michael holding Elizabeth and I am holding Luke

Michael's Visit

Michael David came to Colorado to take a test for his application to the Aurora Police Department Academy AND to visit! It was so great seeing him and just being able to hang out with him.  Ben always teases me and tells me I get so hyper and excited around Michael (it's true- but I just can't help it).  It was a weird week for him to be here; Erica was close to having the baby and had some false labor- so Mom spent a lot of time down in Denver and Dad was out of town. But the absence of parents meant I got to spend LOTS of time with him (and he had no excuses).  

Elizabeth LOVED Michael and they spent lots of time together!

The Friday he was here (Aug 30) Erica actually DID have her baby (I will attribute an entire post to his cuteness) and so we got to go to Denver to see the Lungreen's and then to Evergreen to see Mat and his family.  It was just so much fun to have Michael around and spend that time with family.  (Now that the Dawson's and Michael are gone and everyone else has started school- I am having small 'family reunion' withdrawals.)

Elizabeth liked to eat Grandpa's fuzzy hair!

Busy Saturday!

On August 24 we had a very BUSY Saturday.  In the morning we went to the Stake Center and got to watch the broadcast of the Fort Collins Colorado Temple Ground Breaking.  It was amazing to be able to watch and 'participate' in that momentous occasion. It was amazing to hear the testimonies and feel the spirit around that meeting and to know that we are preparing for another temple of the Lord.  The  Fort Collins Temple will be our new temple district and we are excited that it is finally getting started (still about 2 years until it is completed).  

Then we had the sweet opportunity to see Jacob get baptized.  We are so proud of him and of his decision to be baptized into the church (and can't believe he is already 8- wow). We had Jacob's Birthday party the next day- but I have included some of those pictures here also!

We then rushed home to host the Elder's Quorum Ice Cream Social at the park across the street from our house.  It ended up raining so we had to move all the stuff and the Elder's Quorum & Families (not to many people because of the weather) into our house.  But, as always, it was fun having people over to our house and getting to know some of the guys from Elder's Quorum better.

THEN we drove up to Longmont to have dinner and games with Mom and Dad (kind of for Mom's Birthday but... kind of not) and to see the Dawson's as they made one final stop in Longmont on their long ride home to Virginia (from dropping Michael in Logan to go to school at USU). 

It was a long day but it was so much fun and we got to see so many people!!