Random Fall Pics

Here's a couple of pictures of Naomi that Emily took around the house in late October.

Stair Project

We've been fortunate that even though we bought a bank owned home earlier this year it hasn't really needed all that much work. The one major projected we decided to take on this year was to replace the carpet in the stairway area and get a new banister for the staircase.

To save money we ripped out the old carpet ourselves. Here's what it looked like.

Emily dismantled the metal banister and this is what we had for stairs for several days.

A contractor in our church recommended a guy to build our new banister for us. We decided to go ahead with the all wood banister event though it was a bit more expensive.

A couple of days before the carpet install guys came we ripped out the rest of the upstairs carpet.

Finally the carpet was installed (a day before the Open House that Faith Bible threw for us).

It was a lot of work and used up most of our home improvement budget for the year but it really looks great and we are very pleased.

Naomi's 1st Birthday

Emily's parents graciously offered to host a party for Naomi at their home on her first Birthday (September 26th, 2009). It even fell on a Saturday this year so many of Naomi's biggest fans (at least those in the Roseville area) were able to attend.

Here Naomi sits on Uncle Eric's lap next Christina and Brooklyn while her Grandpa Brooks plays with her cousin Ellie while cousins Emmaleigh and Micah and Aunt Shandela look on.

It was also a great chance for Naomi's parents to catch up with some of their family and friends. Here Emily visits with Aunt Jean, Aunt Miriam, and Grandma and Grandpa Brooks.

Thanks to the Shupe family (pictured here) for coming all the way from Folsom to celebrate with us.

Grandpa Hallsten manned the BBQ while Grandma Hallsten handled the fixings.

Mom ordered Naomi's cake.

Everyone (including Naomi) enjoyed the delicious BBQ as well as the cake and ice cream.

Mommy helped Naomi open her presents.

Grandma Hallsten was apparently too busy throwing an awesome party to be photographed. Thanks for everything.

Here's a little video of Naomi playing with her Birthday Balloons toward the end of the party

Peter's Baptism

On September 20th Emily and Naomi went down to Roseville to see Emily's brother Peter get baptized (Matthew had to work).

Some of the onlookers who witnessed the baptisms of Peter Hallsten and Kelly Burns.

Naomi with Aunt Krista waiting for Uncle Peter to get baptized.

Peter with Pastor Tim (Matthew's Dad) at the baptism service in the Hallsten's back yard.

And finally here's a brief clip of the actual submersion. Congratulations Peter!

September Pics

Here are a few random pictures that Emily took of Naomi from around the house during the month of September.

Naomi watching TV, very interested.

Naomi saying "hi" to Misty who had been resting peacefully on the piano bench.

Naomi showing off some tired cuteness for her Mommy.

Naomi enjoying a kitchen sink bath (she has since graduated to the bathtub).

Naomi out cold during the time she was sick in mid-September.

Climbing Down the Stairs

Here is some video from late August of Emily coaxing Naomi to climb down the stairs in our house.

It's kind of long but is a good picture of Naomi at that stage.

Sorry

Sorry to everyone who may have been checking in on our blog over the past few months. We've been really slacking on it. We have been taking some pictures and videos so we'll try to post some of those now (or over the next week or so at least). We're hoping to be a bit more up to date going forward.