Completed Projects

After our huge project weekend earlier this summer, we (mostly David, I helped only a little) have still been working on smaller projects that just needed to get completed.

Coat closet by the front door:

I asked David to make the shelf for the coats lower than normal so that we could put at least one more shelf above it that we could still reach.  It is so nice to have all the coats, hats, gloves, boots upstairs instead of down in the storage room.  This winter it will be really nice not having to run up and down the stairs every time the girls need something to play outside.

Water softener:

I asked for a water softener several houses ago.  David finally agreed and found one online that was a good value and large capacity.  He installed it and we have had wonderful soft water for a week and a half.  Cleaning the shower is so much easier!

A utility sink:

David had an unplumbed utility sink sitting the basement for a while, waiting for the softener so we could do all the plumbing projects at one time.  Now we have a place to clean up paint messes.  It is in my laundry room, so I can use it for whatever laundry needs I might have too.

Fireplace mantel:

The fireplace mantel has been done for a while, but I hadn’t taken any pictures.  We used to only have one board across the top of the fireplace, and the back was open.  I always felt like things were going to fall back behind the fireplace (we did find some of the previous owners belongings back there).  Now I don’t have to worry, and the wood is in much better shape.

Basement stairway:

When we moved in to our house, the wall below the wood section was concrete that had been painted white.  Because concrete is porous, paint eventually won’t stick.  We were constantly picking up flakes of paint from the stairs and it just looked unfinished.  David attached some drywall, did the mudding and taping, textured, primed and painted, and now it looks great.  No more messy chipping and flaking on either side.

We have several other projects on our to do list for this summer.  When we get around to them (usually means just finding a time and place to get materials) we will post more pictures.

Beat the Heat

The last week has been really hot here.  We have been enjoying the activities that help us beat the heat.  The girls spend a lot of time out in their little pool, which is in the shade in the afternoon.

The afternoon always requires an icy popsicle too.

We also spent all Sunday afternoon at the North Dam (our version of a lake) jet skiing, skiing, and tubing.  The girls had a blast in the water.  Our friend with the jet ski had his nieces along, who Bria loves to play with.  Having them their made Bria a lot more daring.  She did so many things that we have never been able to coax her to do in the past.  I didn’t have my camera and was in the water with Bentley most of the time so I didn’t get any pictures of Bria.  Someone else took some pictures of Bentley.

Bentley took a brief ride with David on the jet ski.  The life jacket makes her crabby so she doesn’t last long.

She loved being thrown out of the water and also jumping in from the dock, which was just added this year.

The water is a bit mossy when you get out of the dock area.  I don’t really care for that.  After a while, however, I decided that it was too hot not to swim out a bit further, and as long as I was on top of the water and could touch the weeks growing up from the bottom I could continue.  David had a really good time riding the jet ski and trying to ski with only one ski on.

Most the time we just try to stay cool by staying in the house.  If that doesn’t work we head to the Drive-In to get ice cream.

Two Weekends

The last two weekends have been busy, but a lot of fun. 

Over the weekend of the 4th of July we spent some time with some old friends camping.  They have a beautiful new camper, and we just had a tent.  The weather, however, couldn’t have been more cooperative—calm and no rain.  It was great to catch up and just relax.  Bria was able to spend the weekend with her best friend.  Bentley had taken a little spill earlier in the week that resulted in a sprained knee.  That kept her from being able to walk on her own, which has its difficulties for an almost two year old.  She found other ways of getting around and still seemed to enjoy herself.

Bria and Bentley talking to each other on the phones.

We used baby wipes for everything.  Bentley was washing her legs after crawling around on the ground for most of the day.

Our friend’s dad owns his own helicopter and flew over our campsite.

Out on the tube behind the boat.  Bria was riding with David.  She loves it.

Bentley sat in the tube with David, but seemed to traumatized to actually go for a ride.

Bentley cuddling up to Bria early in the morning.  This was before Bria was even ready to get up.

Bria and her friend K enjoying popsicles before we left for home.

We came back home on the 4th and headed out again on Thursday night after bible study.  We spent the night at David’s parents, where we left the girls Friday morning while we headed to SF for a brief getaway.  David and I spent Friday and Saturday doing some shopping, running errands, going to movies, and enjoying several meals eating out at our favorite restaurants.  It was nice to have some time to do what we wanted without having to worry about the needs of the girls.