Saturday, June 28, 2008

Avoiding thistles, finding puddles, and having fun!







Kris finished the upstairs floor and has started to frame the doorways upstairs. Wendy and her kids came for a visit. We had a fun-filled couple of days with our FL friends. We took a hike at John Bryan and the kids decided that going through water areas was much more fun then walking across stones! Our radishes are ready. Our first crops! :)
Enjoy your weekend.

Wednesday, June 25, 2008

Good-bye, Heidi! Hello, Wendy! :)





Last night was Heidi's last sunset here in OH before she has to return to FL. It was so kind of God to send such a beautiful one! :) I am including a picture Isabel took this week of Heidi and I trying to figure out her camera. The multi-generational Wii picture made us all smile. I won't tell you who won! Kris is almost done with the upstairs floor boards. The older kids are at camp and Wendy and her kids are coming this afternoon. Enjoy your day.

Friday, June 20, 2008

Happy Birthday, Kristianna!






I became a mom 12 years ago Many times I wonder what exactly my life was like before children. At times I think of a quote I heard once that first born children should be disposable for their own protection! :) Kristianna has had the opportunity to see us in action the longest. I cannot believe my little girl is so old now!
The birthday girl got to celebrate with friends, bob for peaches, play on the slip-and-slide, with a Frisbee, go rock climbing and have a crazy, fun time! Isabel, Wesley, and I picked more strawberries that morning for her favorite cake. Aunt Heidi was there to help her enjoy her party as well.
I am very proud of my beautiful daughter who keep us on task and informed on all the events of the day. She has grown up so much this year of changing environments. Kristianna has been "the new kid" with more grace and maturity then I could have anticipated. I have enjoyed sharing her life as much as she has enjoyed sharing my shoes! While it seems that a dolphin trainer may not be in her future anymore, it is exciting to see what God has in store for her.

Monday, June 16, 2008

Checking out Creation with the family...









We spent the day at the Creation Museum with John, Kristel, Rachel, Ben, Bethany, and Grant today. Josh J. got to get away for the day and come to KY with us. John and Kristel left for VA from the museum and we thoroughly enjoyed every moment. My kids loved hanging out with their cousins. Enjoy the pictures. Now I am really doing laundry! :) Kris stayed home and worked on transforming the dormers.

Sunday, June 15, 2008

Happy Father's Day and a full house.





I want to take this time to say a very Happy Fathers Day to the readers who find themselves in this category. I would also like to express my gratitude to God for giving me three very special "fathers". My own Dad did so much to mold me into the person I am today. I still go to him for advise and am so grateful for his wisdom. My Father-in-law has been there for us as a family and I love that we are so much closer now. I am also grateful for the way he helped to raise his independent son. That son is next on my list. Our family is not at all a traditional one and we have put our kids through some very growing times. Through all of the upheaval of the last year the three of them are thriving. Kris has done so much to keep our crazy life normal while I have been working nights and added as much stability as he has lumber to our house! :)
We celebrated today with John and Kristel, our family, Josh J., and the Gayers. It was a beautiful night for a cook-out. My nephews, Josh, and Wesley were the first to sleep in the log home.

Saturday, June 14, 2008

Lots of planes and people




We toured the Air Force Museum with a big group! My brother John and his family came in Friday night and came with us to see lots of cool planes and learn more about history. Along with John, Kristel, and their 4 kids, our family of 5, Josh J., Heidi, Mom and Dad W., we also met up with Micah M. It was a very full day and we enjoyed every moment. Wish you could have been there too!
Sleeping arrangements were interesting as you could imagine. More on that to follow...

Thursday, June 12, 2008

Picking strawberries




Heidi came today. She and I took the kids berry picking. It was so much fun and made me realize that it has been a year since we have done the same thing and I began blogging! :) We ended up eating all of our pickings except one bag that we froze. They were so good!

Tuesday, June 10, 2008

Until the next puddle...







My sister Catherine and I have been saying for a year that we needed to find a meeting place half-way between our houses and meet for a day. We finally were able to do that today! We enjoyed lunch and then went to a park. The little ones discovered a puddle, and....well, lets just say it made for a very memorable afternoon!
While the kids and I were gone Kris and Josh were installing the rest of the windows and doors today. We are so excited at the progress! It is really starting to look like a house.

Monday, June 9, 2008

Windows and shingles







I have to work tonight so this is a short post. Enjoy the progress! Thanks to Kristianna for the pics.

Friday, June 6, 2008

Getting ready for windows




Kris and Josh J. spent the day putting up wall stiffeners. This was a new concept for me and I needed to see it to understand. It gives lateral stability to the log walls and are needed before windows can be put in.
I hope these pictures clear it up for you! Eventually the bolts will be covered up! :)

Wednesday, June 4, 2008

And the rain rain rain came down down down....










This little tune from Whinnie the Pooh was going through my head today as we watched and heard storms. This morning we looked out to see our garden looking pretty soggy! I took the kids to study another flood at the Creation Museum. I am also posting a picture of the Little Miami River. The shingles are here now but will need to wait a few days before we see them on the house.
Stay dry!