The time line of a terrible smell....
We'd been really anticipating all of the company we were expecting for Christmas this year. Obviously one wants to have the house just perfect prior to the arrival of guests. Approximately 7 days prior to the arrival of our company, Jennifer noticed what would best be described as an 'odor' near the desk in my study. Naturally Jennifer assumed that I'd left some food item tucked away in a drawer somewhere. I was quickly instructed to search the desk and discover the source of the smell.... but to no avail. I could find nothing.
Day #2
The odor seems to be gone
Day #3
Jennifer calls me at work to say the odor has returned with a vengeance. After arriving home I came to the unfortunate conclusion that a small mouse died in the wall. I spent $100 at Lowe's on air fresheners and candles...maybe would could just cover it up.
Day #4
Jennifer calls me to let me know that she and Kenzie have evacuated the house due to the severity of the odor. Words can not express how bad it was. We had company arriving in 3 days and we couldn't use the downstairs of our house!
Day #5
Desperate times call for desperate measures. A quick cut into the wall revealed the source of our misery...
It wasn't that easy though... I had to make the hole a little bigger!
Day # 6
Day # 7
Good as new!
One of the guests that we were expecting was Santa and some of his buddies who came to see us for three days. We had a great time and lots of girls and boys (and adults) came by to see Santa and Mrs. Claus, Rudolph, the Grinch, a couple of elves, and Cindy Lou Who in our front yard. I have to give a big thanks to all of my family for their help making this happen- I couldn't have done it without them. They really are good sports about the whole thing and I can't wait to tell them what I'm planning for this Christmas! We also raised money for a West Point cadet and friend of my brothers' who was wounded in Afghanistan recently, 1st Lt. Nick Vogt. We were able to raise about $500 to support him and his family during his recovery. If you are interested in following his progress, you can check out his facebook page here:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Nick-Vogt-Family/178392405583759
I believe it's good to pause everyone now and then just to contemplate how blessed we are......we must remember that we have men and women such as Nick Vogt in harms way willing to defend our country every day!
Here's a picture of the crew minus Cindy Lou Who (she got cold in her stockings)
Rudolph (aka Honey) was popular with all the kids and had some impressive dance moves-
Cindy Lou Who reappeared with some much needed hot chocolate!
Kenzie really enjoyed Rudolph!
Christmas morning was wonderful! Kenzie got her own rocking horse...
Maggie, Larry, Danny, and Ashley holding their stockings from Santa-
I was really proud of the playroom we built Kenzie for Christmas- she really loves it!
The next couple of weeks were spent recovering from the holidays (and taking down all those Christmas lights!) Even with all the new toys Mommy's shoes are great fun to play with-
Recently I had my on campus week of lecture in Birmingham. While I was immersed in Economics, Marketing, and Corporate Finance Jennifer, Kenzie, and Nana explored Birmingham. Once again they visited the Children's Museum and Kenzie loved it!
Now that's having fun!
Fun in the fish tank with Nana...
I just love this picture of Jen!
After 64 hours of lecture it is really great to be home. I think we have a future soccer player here!
Kenzie's vocabulary is really growing these days. Here's a video clip of her making some animal sounds
Have a great January and a wonderful New Year!
Ashley
Love the animal noises! :) I can't believe you guys had a dead rat -- I gotta give you props Ashley for making that hole in your wall. I'm not so sure we would have had any idea how to make the hole much less how to fix it! We miss you three up here!
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