Done. Done. Done.

This last weekend some big projects got done. Such a good feeling. Cowboy worked on his bricks/woodburner area during the week and got the big pavers down. He also got some sconces up in the dining room; I really like them--they are simple but do a really nice difused light. Then Holmes on Homes, aka Dad, was over and installed my laminate flooring in the dining room. Its amazing what flooring does when you are used to subfloor. Then he and Mom were over again on Sunday and Dad and Cowboy attached the bricks. Not an easy task or a fun one. But they look great and are done. Mom was busy getting the toy room in shape as well as helping me set the crib up and find baby stuff. Thanks to both of them for all the help. I told Dad someday he can come to my house and leave his tool truck at home!

Hard working guys putting up bricks under the super hot work light.

Paige on the Candyland float on Sunday morning for part of the county fair. We hear our float got first--but no confirmation yet.

A sconce--goodbye wires poking out of the walls!

The completed bricks on Sunday evening--they should be proud.

My dining room floor--someday to be extended into the kitchen.

Storms and swelling

Storms and swelling have been the highlight of our week so far. We've had several nights of storms; making it hard for everyone to sleep. Especially when hail stones like the one below fall on my vehicle. Mine got several dents; but Ryan's did not. They were parked 5 feet apart.

The swelling is referring to me. Summer and being pregnant--not so much fun. However, the photo is courtesy of my wonderful 4 year old photographer Paige. I was saying something to her; so hence the odd smile; but she captured the belly! 33 weeks and counting. Had a dr appt Tuesday and all is going well. I think we'll have a baby in like 6 weeks. That's my vote.

Are we done yet?

Someone decided it was okay to like the camera. . .and be right up close and personal with it!

Our one little pot of flowers--but they look nice. We'll worry about the outside next year.

My 'new' kitchen was a complete mess today. I made waffles this morning, calzones with homemade dough for supper and brownies (I cheated, from a box) this afternoon. I think I did dishes all day. But I love my counters--I have so much more room and wow, are they pretty :)

The new tile in front of our living room door. Isn't it pretty? Glued down and sealed--should be ready to walk on in a day or two.

Cowboy glueing down the tiles--I think he did a good job. They look even and nice. I asked him if he wanted to quit his day job and become a floor guy--not so much was the answer. Apparently cows are easier to deal with.

So I am starting to feel really pregnant and wondering if my house is ever going to get done. I realize owning a home means there is pretty much a never ending to do list; and I am okay with that. However, I am sick of looking at boxes and unorganized spaces. Plus, I am sick of walking on subfloor in the living room. I had high hopes some unnamed man in our house would bust his butt today and get a lot of flooring installed--he took the day at about 3/4 speed and got the tile done in front of the living room door and is working on the woodburner pavers as we speak. He wants some assistance with the dining room floor--which is understandable and needs to find the right saw to cut angles. So we made some decent progress this weekend. Plus, he was my muscles and moved a bunch of heavy stuff for me. I see no boxes upstairs anymore in the main living areas--score!

4th of July

We had a day off from house stuff! I have been blessed with a 4 day weekend but feel compelled to spend it all trying to get some sort of order in this messy place we now call home. The to do list is very long; but I am making small victories. I just need to keep telling myself that so I don't give up completely!

Bobbi, Jensen, & Aleah came down on Friday for the weekend and were wonderful entertainment for Paige. I think that was the most tired she's ever been--there was a day full of playing, swimming, slip-n-sliding and fireworks all on Saturday. Then on Sunday we trekked over to Hettinger to see the parade. Ryan, Paige and I spent the afternoon with my family and ended finding a few members of Ryan's family in random spots around town before heading to my folks to nap. We decided to just head back to our house and skip the big fireworks over the lake--which is a huge sin in our world--but it worked out well this year. We ended up at home with the girls and lit off our fireworks and then watched the people of Bowman light all of theirs from our view atop the hill. All in all a very nice day!

Bobbi & Ryan

Gramma Shelly on the DWB float

Mom & Dad trying out the scooters at the Conner family BBQ. Aunt Wanda and Joe were gracious and let everyone play with their toys. I wasn't allowed; something about my huge belly and balance!

Paige wishing she was older and allowed a lit punk to do something with!

The aftermath

Where did all this crap come from? Oh yeah, we haven't moved for 5 years and have had a baby. Wow, did we accumulate stuff since we moved last. I am understanding why people say they should move every few years to keep the clutter down.

Yes, the plants made the move on the last day. The old house got cleaned up and they migrated to town. So far, no casualties. But they are still in the exact same place, 3 days later too!

Bliss. My newly constructed pantry shelves. Can't wait to load them up with all my big kitchen stuff. Its amazing what you have in you kitchen buried way in the back of cupboards or stored in the basement. We'll see how much of it we use or if it just gets purged!

Paige unpacking a box of great stuff--books she's never seen before that we had in her closet. She's a little bigger now so they'll come into the rotation. Kept her busy for over an hour.

Finally

June 29th. First night in our new home. Finally. Its been a long two/three months since we signed a purchase agreement--I think it was early April. But all's well that ends well, I guess. No pictures yet as I just got internet hooked up yesterday. But Paige has had her first bath in the new tub. I just made our first real meal tonight--cheated last night and microwaved things. I did my first sink full of dishes. Its odd how these things are halfway exciting when you haven't done them in a while. I am slowly getting boxes unpacked and need a few days of living here to see where things should go. Its nice to slow down a little after a frantic month of going between two homes.
Thanks to all of our family and friends--its not enough to merely say thank you for all you've done; but we do appreciate it! We had a lot of help with the cleaning/packing/hauling/etc.

Father's Day

Today is Father's Day. What did my wonderful Dad and husband do? They worked on the new house--again. What great guys. My dear Dad spent Saturday and Sunday working there; and as a result I have a bathtub! There is a whole lot more in the bathroom now; just waiting on the plumber now and some sheetrock mudding before that room can be closer to its final form.

Action shot of my Dad--texturing my living room. What a guy.

Boys have to have breaks when they are working so hard. So the new lawmower got unloaded. I think they both were excited.

My cowboy and his 'present' for Father's Day. When you spend that much money on something its called a present for many holidays to come!

Thanks to both these great guys for working so hard today! We love you and appreciate it!