Almost there!

It's been forever since I've posted due to a handful of things....mainly the work still taking place in our home. The good news is that we have been sleeping in our own beds for a week now and EVERYONE is sleeping through the night!!!! Believe me, that's a huge accomplishment after six weeks of strange beds and waking kids.
I am reluctant to post any pictures of the remodel yet because I REALLY want it to look finished. I have bench cushions ordered and should have them by the start of next week, drapes are ordered for the bedrooms, and the cabinet guys finished up today. They had to install all of the knobs, glass doors, and fix the DVD pullout. Now all we have left is the wiring around the new entertainment center for the surround sound. And then we can start putting things away rather than tripping over boxes scattered throughout the living room.
One big project I didn't realize I would have is laundry. Brian's closet was opened during the window installation in the master bedroom, thus coating everything with a fine white sheet rock dust. I spent nearly all weekend trying to get things washed and hung back up. I always thought he had a pretty modest wardrobe but it didn't feel like it after multiple loads through the washer and dryer. Luckily, my closet doors remained closed and I can live with the very minor amount of dust in my garments. I also just got around to emptying suitcases only to realize that in the six weeks we were displaced, the boys have outgrown so many things. Their closet now has to be purged of Sam's clothes and Ben's need to be packed away for Sam's future use. That's a huge project and not easily done with the boys around.
I will dig the camera out at some point....hopefully it's not still residing in our neighbor's garage along with many other things....and get some photos taken of the house and the kids since they have all changed!

Our home

Many have inquired on the state of our condo....
The boys and I have officially been living elsewhere for 6 weeks now. Brian has been living elsewhere for three weeks now. The neighbors who so graciously have let us stay in their condo just three doors from our own front door are expected to arrive in town around the 14th. With any luck we'll be in our own home by then.

The living room walls are painted, windows/sliding door are in but still need to have the wood frames and trim stained.

Most of the custom cabinets are in. There were a few problems including a pull-out DVD/CD storage cabinet that was built the wrong depth, and a window seat that was not built long
enough - thus sitting halfway over a floor vent. The window seat tops were also built without the lip around the edge to keep the cushions from sliding off. All of these problems are being fixed. There was one issue with the windows...the window in the den is actually two windows mulled together with a large crank-open window on the top and a small fixed window on the bottom. The window had been installed for several days before I noticed this last weekend that the crank opener was located at the top of the window by the ceiling! It was not installed incorrectly but rather, manufactured incorrectly. The kit to fix it is supposed to arrive tomorrow (Wednesday) but now the crew will have to pull the window, fix it, and install it again. I'm guessing that will put them back at least two days.

There are also holes cut in walls throughout the house where wiring has been pulled and upgraded. Where sheet rock has been patched the paint is not quite the right color to match the original wall/celing color. Several outlets are now capable of providing better power and the in-ceiling speakers have been installed.

A fine layer of sheet rock dust and sawdust blankets everything and the carpets will need an extensive shampoo job when the construction is complete.
But, it looks amazing, all things considered and we can't wait to go home.

New Year's 2009

Our sixth New Year's together.

Tabitha and I...still looking like college girls?
Champagne ready......

Grandma and Grandpa stayed with the boys allowing Brian and I to ring in the new year with my good friend from Humboldt State, Tabitha, along with her boyfriend, Ian, and several others.

We all met up at a home in Reno that was rented by Tabitha and the others for a post-Christmas ski trip. We enjoyed lots of appetizers, drinks, and a great shish-kebab dinner. The food and company were wonderful.

We stayed out late but were happy to spend the holiday in the presence of adults. Upon returning home (to John's house) we found Grandma awake and Sam asleep in bed with Grandpa. Apparently Sam did his typical wake up a couple hours after going to bed and stay awake routine. Grandpa was happy to be the first to wish Sam a happy new year.

Last snowman of 2008!

Ben enjoyed playing out in the snow and making a snowman while the sun was out and Sam was napping. We used pecans from Modesto for mouth and eyes.

Christmas in Modesto

A serenade from the saxophonist.

The boys in their matching duds from Auntie Pauline, Uncle Howie, and Olivia.

Playing the piano.

Reading a Curious George book with Teddy.

Heading out for a walk to the park. (Color coordinated!)

Our original plan was to leave Tahoe after the Christmas eve service at our church. After seeing the weather reports we decided to leave midday to beat the storm that was supposed to come in late afternoon. It was already dumping snow by 8:30 in the morning so we packed up quickly and hit the highway. It took just about two hours to make it through the twenty-three miles of chain controls. The boys were very patient and very happy to get out and play once we got to Great Grammy and Grandpa's house.

Ben immediately headed to the park with Teddy (Dave) and Sam began exploring the house on his very steady feet.

We had a pretty quiet evening and woke early (by Sam's choice) on Christmas day. We all enjoyed opening gifts and visiting with each other. Ben's favorite gift was the toy saxophone from Auntie Beth and Uncle Pete. He was very cute playing and grooving to the music. Sam was happiest with the paper and bows. The boys also received lots of books, especially Curious George books. Both boys also had fun playing Megan's piano.

The weather was cool but fairly dry so walks to the park were a daily occurrence for Ben and Teddy. Picking oranges was also a priority.

We were all awakened about 1:30 in the morning on the 26th to the sound of the buzzer in the driveway. When Grammy woke up Dave he went out to find someone in our car riffling through our glove compartment. The perpetrator dropped everything and took off on a bicycle when Dave yelled at him. He left so quickly that he left his bag of tools. The police were called and reports were filed. Nothing was missing or damaged but it was certainly unsettling.

We headed back to Tahoe on the 28th to a still unfinished condo. Progress had been made since we left town but there was still a lot to be done.