Time for Change!!

 I just knew this day was coming soon. It was kind of sad but in other ways I was kind of happy. Well it was time to make a change! A change to trade in the old and get something new!

Yea that's right we traded in my 2006 Nissan Maxima

 It had 83,000 miles on it but it was falling apart by the day. I just had the AC fixed or so I thought well last week we figured out that the compressor was going out. ( I just payed the Nissan dealership to fix it and when I talked to them they said they fixed the leak and recharged it. That only cost $500.00. Crazy) Then Bry went to open up his door and the handle broke. When I had it worked on a few weeks ago they told me that the engine needed a complete over haul on it and it would take 2 days for them to do and $1500.00. So Mac and I decided that we maybe should think about getting something new!

 So the other day we found something we really liked and we made the move! It scares me to do stuff like this but we did it! I haven't had a car payment in a few years now but that all came to a quick end!

 Bry has a hard time with change and he didn't like to see the car go. So his little soft heart just cried and cried for a little bit. But after a little while he was OK about getting a new car!

Mac and I have been looking at a couple models of vehicles for a few weeks now. I really wanted a crossover type of vehicle and I didn't want large payments (hahaha I know I know. Purchasing a new car comes with a large payment right!!) Anyway after test driving a few vehicles and wheeling and dealing with the car dealer we finally agreed and we bought a Ford Edge!!

 We actually got a really good deal on it!

The sticker price was $38,000.00. But Mac qualifies for the X- Plan through work. So the X-Plan dropped the price down to $33,000.00. Then since its a 2012 model and they are trying to get rid of all of their 2012 vehicles we qualified for all of the rebates and then they ended up giving us $9,500.00 for the Nissan. Then I did a little more negotiating with them on the price to where I wanted my payments. So when all of it was said and done we ended up paying $27,000.00 for the Edge. Its not the top of the line nor does it have all the bells and whistles that the 2013's have but it has more than I have ever had in a vehicle. My payments are manageable, and my insurance only goes up $58.00 a year. That's something I can handle! Its so nice and comfortable to drive and I just love the smell of a new car.

So I am pretty happy with my new purchase! I really didn't want to get a new rig (nor did I want a car payment, but the Nissan was getting to the point it was unreliable.)

 So it was time to make a change!

the boys really like it cause its comfortable and they can recline their seats back and take a snooze!

BrAcEs!

 Ooh goodness! Well both of the boys had an orthodontist appointment the other day and that is when the doctor said it was time to start both of them in braces.

So I made an appointment for both of the boys to get their braces on for the next morning. Before I took them to the orthodontist Kode asked if we could go to McDonald's for some breakfast. (not my favorite but if that's what they want that's fine) I just wanted them to have full tummies before they got their braces on. I wasn't sure if their little mouths were going to hurt after or not!

 Kode before he got them on!

 Bry's before photo

 I got a kick out of this kid. We had to wait a little while when we got there. They were very busy and low on staff. So they seated Bry in his chair and then asked him if he wanted to watch a movie. I guess it was very bright while watching the movie so he asked for his shades so he could see the TV better. He was just one cool dude!

 Kode getting his braces on!

 Bry getting all polished up for his braces!

After Photos!

 So this is Bry with braces on! Bry only has braces on his 4 front teeth (in about 6 weeks he will be going back in for head gear that will attach to these 4 teeth. that's why they only put braces on the front 4) So he got to choose what colors he wanted on his and he choose purple, blue, red, and green. Quite a colorful mouth I have to say! Bry will be sporting this new look for 12 months! (then he will be taking a short break and then into phase 2)

 Here is Kode with his new look! He choose the color green! He is excited cause he is going to be able to choose a new color (or colors) each time he goes in. He will be sporting his new look for 18 months. Or so!

Then after they were both done getting their braces on they had to listen to one of the ladies tell them how important it is to brush and floss properly when wearing braces. (as you can see Bry was not a very good student. He made funny faces, played with his legs, did a little dance, and even got himself a drink all while she was talking to them. He says he heard every word she said. I guess we will see)

staples removed!

Well today was the day that Bry was able to get his staples out of his little head.

He was not so excited about having to go back to the doctor but it has been 10 days since his little incident so it was time. We were lucky we didn't have to wait very long. The nurse prepped him and then not long later the doctor came in to take out the staples. The first one was a little challenging though. The skin had already started growing around the staple so the doctor had to snip a little of the skin to get it out. But the rest of them came out a little easier. So now he is all good to go. He can swim, take a bath, and even wear his helmet with out worrying about those darn stitches.

The Mining Expo

I can't believe it but the Mining Expo was in full force the other day (it seems like we just went not to long ago) and we made it down to the Convention Center to see all the booths and what all the latest and greatest is when it comes to mining stuff. For the most part it was pretty cool. There were lots more booths there this year than there has been in previous years and lots more people browsing around but it was still fun.

Walking into the expo

This crusher was so neat to watch. He was taking large pieces of concrete and crushing it up into small pieces of gravel.

 Mac was showing us how they maneuver all their heavy/large tires out at the mine on this machine. Pretty interesting!

 Bry chillin for a quick photo

 Another picture of them crushing cement

 Chillin on one of the work buses! Before Mac went into management he would ride to and from work on one of these buses. The boys thought it was pretty cool to be on one of dad's work buses

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 I am not sure what this machine is or even what it does but the boys really liked it and its tracks.

 Mac showing the boys different models and types of machines that they use at the mine site

 Just about each booth had a bowl of candy sitting on their table and anyone could help their selves to how ever much they wanted and of course the boys got their fair share. Bry didn't let it hit the bottom of his bag for to long. You would think that I never feed them cause that is all they wanted to eat was all of their candy!

Mac knew lots of people at the Expo. So he stopped and chatted a lot!

 Most of the booths were outside and as the morning went on it got a little warm out so Bry found some shade and took a break.

 Just walking around looking at all the booths

Bry holding all his loot in his large bag!

Another great year at the Mining Expo!