Extreme Makeover

Finally! We are done with our flooring remodel! It wasn't as bad as I expected it to go, even though it took longer than originally planned. The house looks amazing! We put in new carpeting in the master bedroom, living and family rooms and laminate in the front entryway, hallway and kitchen. The after photos speak for themselves. New house rules: shoes off! We are happy to have this new look - even if it means slippery floors (sorry Emma!) and more sweeping ! :)

2010 in Review

WOW! 2010 is over and a new year is beginning. Here are a few hightlights of our year At the Cassat's house:

We welcome a 3rd member to our family - Phoebe the wonder dog!

Greg and Mindy in deployment mode getting the house and cars all fixed up.

Emma turns 2 and goes to a babysitter 3 days a week.

Stephen turns 9 & enters 4th grade eager to learn.

After 8 months of waiting and waiting, we say good-bye to Greg in June.

Mindy & kids travel to Europe to visit Cassat cousins w/Grandma & Grandpa.

We are blessed to welcome Greg back home in August after a cut in numbers.

Mindy is released from Primary. She & Greg teach the 16-18 yrs. Sunday School.

Greg is called to be on the High Council (Heavenly Father's answer to "why am I coming home?")



We look forward to another wonderfully challenging year in 2011!

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year!

We celebrated ringing in the new year at a friend's house eating pizza and drinking soda all night (or at least until 9:00 when the kids needed to get to bed). Stephen enjoyed banging on the host's drums and Emma discovered Malcala game - dropping colored rocks into grooved out cups. We watched movies and watched the kids enjoy themselves. Yes, we didn't wait up for midnight to come but had a great new year's eve night.

Birthday Girl!

I had a fabulous 38th birthday that began with breakfast in bed made by my honey. I invited Stephen and Greg to join me and help eat the yummy cinnamon french toast. (Nobody declined my invitation). Next I went to the gym and had a great workout. After the gym, Emma and I had a nice visit at the cemetary since I didn't get there for Christmas to visit mom, Brad and Rob. It was harder this year than other years. I know they are watching out for me from heaven. I'm glad I went. Emma would say "wuv you" when I place flowers on their graves.

I spent the day doing what I wanted to do. I didn't do any laundry, house cleaning, painting, home improvements, etc. I DID play with my kids, finished a sewing project and relaxed!

Despite having pink eye and a cold, we enjoyed birthday pizza and then Greg & I went to a movie. A nice way to end the perfect birthday!

Happy Birthday to me!

Thanks family for making my day so special!

Merry Christmas 2010

We hope you enjoy a few pictures (OK a lot!) of our Christmas morning. Stephen got up at 6:30 and I sent him back to bed and finally we all got up around 8:00 a.m. I know you all hate us for it but what can I say? I have good little sleepers! Emma got a play kitchen and has already cooked for us. Stephen scored with everything with wheels - toy cars, toy bikes, you name it he got it. Greg and I exchanged gifts we've needed and have also been painting our bedroom/bathroom in preparation for new flooring to be installed next week. Will the painting ever stop? I hope so. The hard work looks amazing! Merry Christmas to you all. We love you!

Christmastime at the Cassat's

This holiday season has been filled with some fun events. First off was Stephen's piano recital at the Festival of Trees. He played two songs, Hark the Herald Angels Sing and We Three Kings of Orient Are. Of course he did fabulously well. He also performed in his schools choir 2 concerts - a school-wide assembly and an evening performance for the parents. Stephen's been having fun in the choir learning cool Christmas songs. Next up was decorating the gingerbread house, visiting Santa at the mall (waiting for 2+ hours) and playing in the snow (or at least wanting to play in the snow).

Just a Little Off the Top

In anticipation of family photos I took Emma to get her hair trimmed for the first time at a haircut place. Most of the time I've trimmed her bangs, etc. I came heavily armed for squirming, tantrums, stubborness, etc. all that make up Emma but she totally surprised me. She sat in the chair with the drape on like she's done this many times before. After a while she was getting tired of it all but was a trooper.

A few nights later it snowed heavy wet snow. The next morning, opening the front door, we noticed Emma wasn't the only thing that had a little trim...the front yard tree, already weak from a previous limb breakage, split right off the trunk narrowly missing the house!