Sneak Peak

We have been hard at work the last 2 weeks. The house was naked for almost a week, while we replaced the last of the windows and spent an exciting Saturday insulating and prepping for the siding. The siders came last week and the painters came Saturday. At first Jeff and I were feeling a little guilty that we didn't do the siding and painting ourselves..but when the siders finished in 3 days and the painters finished in 1 day the guilt...well that pretty much disappeared right along with a lot of cash! Below is a sneak peak of the not so finished product, we are still hunting for some lighting, house numbers and have a ton of little things to still finish (mail slot, doorbells, electrical light cover, etc) oh and we are gearing up for some serious landscaping. 

Jeff replacing a window..that is what I mean by a naked house.

The house after the siders finished.

The entry

Rain or Shine

So 2 weekends ago (you know that one when it was pouring down rain?) Bear, Jon, Em and I were off meeting Aksel but Jeff was hard at work. We (and I say "we" here because even though I was not up there in the rain, I did put my time in - ie 10:00pm stapling paper the Thursday night prior and who do you think picked up every single one of the old shingles?). Anyway, "we" put up a new roof. The roof was in OK shape...but it would probably be something to haggle over if we were to sell in the next few years. Honestly, my husband amazes me, he works so hard and it constantly surprises me that not only does he actually know what he is doing, but he does it all really, really well. Anyway, the "we" above also includes more that just Jeff and me. The brothers pitched in to help - thanks Jay and Eric!

The "we" also includes Kyle...I don't even pretend to understand the weird and complex friendship between those two and why Kyle would voluntarily subject himself to roofing on a rainy Saturday with Jeff. After subjecting Jeff to an urban study on Kyle's amazing friendship, I remain just as confused as ever (men!) there was no exchange of labor, cash, wrestling singlets circa new years eve 2004, or even deep conversation, just beer and really, really hard work - in the rain. Regardless, I am so grateful and my 'ode to Kyle and his pumpkin moving, self portrait snapping, ultimate wrestling, clean house keeping, dirty story telling, cougar loving, and now roofing continues...Thanks Kyle!

Ladies...did I mention he is really funny?

Aksel

Last weekend Bear and I got to meet the very beautiful, gorgeous and sweet Aksel Emil. Aksel his and proud parents were all smiles. Congrats Annika & Chet!

Isn't he adorable?

The proud mommy

Honestly...adorable!!

Evolution

Bear spent a few months doing the what we referred to as the Army Crawl

He graduated to the Wounded Soldier for a few weeks

Then went on to All 4's

Shortly after that he started The Proposer

Now...he walks! Well kind of... It has taken me a few weeks

just to snap a socially acceptable pic because so far

Bear is only trying to walk in very dangerous places

and of course, he refuses to walk on command.

Entry

After a super busy weekend we spent part of Sunday hard at work adding a little charm to the front of the house. This project has including a lot of pointing, laughing, drawing, "discussions" oh, and one fall off the roof. It also included a lot of learning. Jeff designed and had the Corbels custom made. You can't tell yet, but they are going to look great!

Abe and Gus were pretty entertained by all of the commotion.

Front Entry before (you can't really tell but the

original overhang is this odd metal contraption)

In progress

Calling it a day, the front entry for now.

We snap quick pick tonight, while chatting about all

of the work still yet to be started!