Drywall!

This is what the inside of our home is looking like lately . . .

This is our new bedroom . . . bathroom and walk-in closet

This is the bonus room . . .

 I love the big west windows and the south facing door.

We're hoping to have the drywall finished this weekend. 

Clate said he would be ready for paint and tile this week. 

Hopefully carpet will follow fairly quickly because I don't really have

much motivation to pull out more stuff  like Christmas decorations

until a few things get put away!

More on the addition . . .

Since the last time I posted pictures a week or so ago a lot has been done!   Windows and shingles were installed.  Plumbing and Electrical were roughed in.  I think we are ready for an inspection.  I do know that it can't be insulated until it is inspected.  Hopefully soon...

Molly really doesn't like the doors . . .

she really preferred coming and going when she wanted. 

So sorry puppy!

It's kind of hard to imagine . . . but this

is the master bedroom, bathroom, & closet.

This is the view out my window with the new window seat.

The other morning after all the kids had left for school, I could

hear something upstairs . . . sounded like

bang, bang, bang against the window.

At first I though maybe it was a worker, but when I looked out the front window there was no vehicles so I proceeded to tip toe up the stairs.  I thought about calling Kyle . . . but I wasn't sure what to tell him.  When I got up to my room there was a bird knocking himself silly against the glass.  It was a fairly large bird.  I'm not quite sure how he shimmied through the little gap under the eaves, but he seemed regretful immediately.  I had the presence of mind to shut my bedroom door (but not grab my camera) before I proceeded to open the window and shoo him out.  It didn't take long for him to figure out my intentions.  He flew the coop quickly.

We have had several other little blue birds run into the glass down stairs.  It's a race between us and the dog to rescue the bird.  We've had to pry Molly's mouth open twice to get the bird free.  She doesn't hurt them, just runs aways with them.  Kind of a game of keep away.  Naughty dog.

Webelos

Gabe is working on his Artsman Webelos Pin this month.

He had to create 3-D art out of craft supplies.  Once

he got the creative juices flowing he came up with some

really cool designs.  It is a snowball fight

between stick figures.

Connor & Madi also got to create a master piece

toward the end of the meeting.

Pretty creative kids.

Windows and Roof

As you can tell, there has been more progress on

the remodel.  They finished tying in the roof lines

today and layed tar paper down.

It is amazing how a builder can tie in a project so it doesn't

even look like an afterthought . . . good thing, huh!

Clate is having a hard time getting K&K to deliver him

a dumpster.  He hoped tomorrow might be the day!

Can you get a feel for how it is going to look?  Jones' has got

some different grids to match the rest of the house ordered.

If molly is out her kennel, this is about as far as

Camrie is willing to poke her nose out!

Molly is in her kennel most of the day while the workers are here.

So when we let her out she is crazy.  Running, jumping,

rolling in the grass and chewing on anything she can find!

Walls & Trusses

The great big window in our room will

be popped-out into a dormer with a window box.

Little bit different angle. 

This is the northeast side.  Bedroom / bathroom

I'm excited to see how it all ties together.

 - Bonus room -

Clate said he thought windows

would be going in tomorrow.

The whole re-do on landscaping is a

little overwelming at this point.

On the upside - I'll have a whole winter to think about!

Madi's Baptism Day

Congratulations Madi!

Today was Madison's Baptism

It was a beautiful day and a lot of family

and friends came to show support

for Madi.  We really appreciate

everyone who came, both near and far.

We thought it would be a good idea to
get a picture of everyone while
they were dressed up.

Kyle baptized and confirmed Madi.  There were lots

of Uncles and one of our Grandpa's there to stand in

the confirmation circle.  Gabe gave an opening prayer

and Connor gave a talk on baptism.  They both did a really

good job.  Thanks for being so willing to be part of

Madi's special day!

We miss you Grandpa & Grandma Snow and

know you wish you could be here.

We met at Kyle's office for a lunch.  Soup, breadsticks,

salad, and dessert! 

Thank you for everyone's help!

More Progress . . .

It is amazing how many different steps there are

in building a house or even just adding on to a house.

This last week we saw more progress on our addition.  The lumber was delivered and the floor joists, plywood flooring and a couple of walls were added.  A couple of guys came yesterday and took off siding and brick.  It was really loud and I was pretty sure they were going to break clear through to the inside!

It is going to a beautiful week.  Lots of sunshine and nice cool temperature.  Hopefully we will see lots of progress this week.  I'll keep you posted!

We're glad they got a floor down because there was a great big hole knocked in the foundation,

but they moved pretty fast and got things sealed up.

Halloween Cousin Party

Gabe was a doctor.  He insisted that he had the scariest costume

because there is nothing more frightening than a doctor.

Madison was a witch and Camrie was a fairy princess with wings! 

Actually, I refused to buy costumes this year, so the kids

had to resort to sorting through the costume tote and

choosing from what we already had.

Mean Mom!  They don't seem too upset . . . do they. :)

"The Whole Gang"

Some were a little more willing than others to have their picture

taken, but you get a general idea of everyone's costume.

When I say the whole gang, I actually mean just our

 immediate cousins.  There was about 60 people for

dinner and probably about 35 kids that trick

or treated.  It was a lot of fun! 

Its nice to live close to family!

Where's a Jedi Master when I need him?

The storm troopers have landed . . . where's that Jedi?

The Halloween costume box has been out all week.  It has provided a ton of entertainment value for the extra company we've had this week.  The kids have enjoyed having cousins visit for a few days.

Bekkah and Camrie have found lots of ways to entertain themselves. 

It's always good to have someone else to play with.

Dustin and Kaden have been really good sports

considering they havn't felt great and really like their momma!

Molly dog

Molly is just like one of my kids.  That's not true . . . I would not give her one of my kidneys or even administer CPR, but she has this pink blanket she drags with her everywhere.
 Just like one of my kids. 
I can't get her to leave it in the kennel.  At least my kids believe me when I tell them their blankets better stay on their beds or I'm not going to go looking for it at bedtime.  I occasionally have to go looking for my kids blankets too.

We see progress . . .

We are adding on to our home . . . we have footings and foundation walls.

The kids think it looks like a great swimming pool if they could just

figure out how to fill it with water.  This is looking west, just off the north

side of the house.  This is where our bedroom and bath will be located.

This is the back view of the addition looking north. 

This will be a bonus room.

Happy Birthday Madi

This is how it all began, 8 short years ago...

She has such a funny personality . . . full of laughs . . .

We consider ourselves so very blesses to have Madison

part of our family . . .

She is compassionate, creative, loving

and a very important part of our home.

We love you so very much Madi

and hope you have a Happy Birthday!

Madi's birthday began with chocolate . . .

isn't that how all good morning should start?

That's not true.  We each had a taste of the frosting,

but the cupcakes were for her school class!

Dad delivered them for her mid-morning

and she passed them out after lunch.

I think they were a hit!

Lots of nice wishes from everyone.  Thank you.