Early drywall snaps

Here is how the basement is coming along. It looks great so far. The drywall makes it look totally different. Stay tuned for more snaps this weeken of the ceiling. The arch is my favorite!

Into the bedroom

Sitting bench

snow day

Our snow day should have really been ice day. A snow day is always fun but not when it is ice. Everywhere was ice and in some places we measured it to be 3/4 inch thick. Sigh. Okay, now what? Let's sled or ice sled or whatever you call it. In either case you will go fast and end up someplace you did not intend. A crash.

Michael going at Mach speed. He ended up 3 houses over one time, yikes.

"I'm going again, mom." Thank goodness for helmets.

Woo hoo!

"No, I cannot control it, Mom. Look out below!"

Matthew goes fast

"that was awesome!"

Matthew going down the hill. Please put your helmet on.

We had to get outside so fast that Matthew ended up in the banana suit. At least he was dry.

So much ice...

Not a good day to try to come in the front door on that ice.

gone night tubing

Here are some snaps from when we went night tubing. It was so cold up on the mountain that the snow was not even melting when it got on our clothes so we stayed dry. Everyone agreed that night tubing is awesome! Hard for good pictures though.A view from the top of the plunge.

Group shot

Me and Dan after all the tubing

Our worst self-portrait ever (this is while we were letting the kids go on their own so as not to be too annoying, not sure this was helpful)

Dan on the lift. For those of you who know the story, note how Daniel has moved out of the blue suit to a two piece option...

Michael waits for a push

Our entire group of 6. You can't see our faces but you can see how much snow we kicked up!

Okay, we're off

Matthew and his friend Grady. "Do you need help? No, mom. We got this..."

All the boys lined up ready to go for the race

Michael and Tristan on the lift. They were so fast and got in at least twice as many runs as we did.

basement update

Here are some updated pictures of the basement. It is coming along really well and we are so excited. They just put in a ton of outlets (since we only had 2 before) which will meet the technology needs of our family in the basement. Below is the built in bench that Rodney is building. It is about 12 feet wide and will have decorative finishes when he is finished. Great storage and looks, love that! A side view of the bench

Here is the 5 foot arch way. This is my favorite part and considering that the ceiling will have to be a drop ceiling in the bar kitchen I think it will really add some ambiance as you walk in that space.

Alternate view of the archway from the beer kitchen and a view of the new storage under the stars.

Foundation of the beer kitchen and new wall/panty/storage unit.

Closet for the guest bedroom (2ftx4ftx10ft)

A view of the soon to be guest bedroom. The space is much smaller than how we used to have it set up but it will be nice in any event.

Stay tuned for more to come...

Beer in 2009

Here is a peek at our latest brew. It is a brown/winter ale/magic potion and another honeyweizen. Ready to be bottled today. Stay tuned for the results.

The Prom is over...

Remember, when we did up the basement a couple of years ago and called it the prom? Well, we are so excited to announce that in 2009 we will be finally finishing the basement for real! We spent the entire weekend moving all of our crap (why can we not throw out anything...) out to the garage and tearing down all of the plastic from the walls and ceiling along with the christmas lights. I am almost sad in a way because we are moving to a new chapter in lives. But wait...a finished basement, yeah! Joy is found!

Castillo de San Marco in St. Sugustine, FL

Bowling for luck on New Year's day