Carpet!

A before picture.

Today we finally got carpet in the loft area. It has been a long time coming and it looks fabulous. The trim needs to be put in but I am so happy to have carpet. Patrick won't be able to draw on the floor anymore but he is already enjoying the carpet. Who knew it could be so fun!

First- the stairs. What a chore. If Jason did not have gray hair he does now. What he was hoping would be a day project turned into several weekends and a few Mondays. This house- the gift that keeps on giving...

Where did the stairs go? Yep- they all had to come out. Jason essentially had to rebuild the stairs. Fun!

New treads and risers all the way up. Oak on the bottom few stairs where it will show. The landing is now oak too. It looks so much nicer!

Trim is still needed along the top and sides but the weekend is coming! Oh- and a railing.

Patrick camped out on the sofa so he could watch the installer finish the stairs.

Did I mention that Patrick loves the carpet? He has been running and rolling and jumping. He is working up a sweat!

Joslin peaks around the end of the railing. She is so cute!

We have moved the sofa back up there and put the roll-top desk in but nothing else is set up yet. Again- the weekend is coming!

When we think back to what that space looked like when we first moved in and how it looks now... Unbelievable. When we bought the house there were 2 pieces of drywall laying across the opening to the second floor. We tore out all the framing and drywall that had been incorrectly installed. (This was also hiding the raccoon hideout. Lovely.) Then we had a giant open space akin to a bowling alley. All new framing, a second layer of subfloor, insulation, new windows, new sliding door, electric, plumbing, drywall, HVAC... With lots of help from family and friends we are almost done. Only one more room to go up there and it will be done. Wow. It leaves me speechless sometimes.

Pajama Party

Patrick's class had a pajama party today. All the kids wore their pj's, brought a bedtime book and stuffed animal. All the kids thought it was hilarious that they wore their pj's to school. They even had pancakes and sausage for a snack.

Money Maker

As we drove up our road today we saw the propane truck sitting at the bottom of the driveway. I could see the driver up our drive a little with a snow shovel. As we drove up the driveway I slowed down to chat with him for a minute. The driveway was too narrow from all the snow and he was having trouble getting up the drive. Then we see Jason working his way down with the tractor to try and widen the melting snow. I pull my car up to the garage and Patrick is really itching to get out and help. He wants me to open his door first! He jumps out of the car and runs to get his snow shovel. He takes off down the driveway to help the dig out the snow. It was very cute seeing him run down there with his shovel. With teamwork the guys got the driveway widened and the propane truck was able to make it up to the tank. After the tank was full the driver stopped at the house to deliver the bill. He also wanted to pay his little helper!

Patrick earned his first "single one" dollar today! We are so proud of our little helper!

Here are some other pics from lately:

Pictures from snowshoeing last week. Joslin enjoyed the hike- chatting along in the backpack the entire time. Patrick enjoyed eating lots of snow and falling down a lot. We hiked out back to the top of the hill and then through the woods. It was a wonderful day to be out. The dogs enjoyed themselves too but were pretty tired once we got home.



You can barely see our path back home but we had walked from those far lines and are headed back down. Once we were back on our own property we turned into the woods.

Patrick found a walking stick!

We got lots of snow yesterday and today. Patrick and Jason have been out enjoying it while Joslin takes a nap. She and I are staying cozy inside until the snow stops. Then we will try and head out for a little snow walk too.

Jason and Patrick made snow angels.

The driveway after our neighbor came through. Nice!

Sledding!

The climb back up the hill. I love it that we can sled right out the basement door!

The tree swing in the snow...

The swing on warmer days.

Here are some pics from lately...

Two little teeth! They are cute and very sharp!

Joslin is practicing standing on her own.

Look out Sid! You've been spotted!
Patrick is helping Jason get the hooks up in the built in. Yeah!

Jason and Patrick out for a ride while Joslin and I wait for them to come back.

Jo has been fighting a fever since Friday evening. She is getting some extra cuddle time with her dad while she recovers.

Career Day

Patrick had a snow day on Friday. This gave him some extra time in the morning to explore possible careers.
Patrick: Mom! I need a broom and dustpan!
Me: Why?
Patrick: I cut my hair!
(I have to give it to him for wanting to clean up his mess!)

He is now taking appointments!

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas Eve!

We attended church this evening and then headed home to get the cookies and grape juice out for Santa. Patrick wavered between milk, water and juice for Santa and eventually settled on grape juice.

I know it looks like there might be some strangling going on here but I promise he was just holding her up- keeping her from crawling away. Ahhh, brotherly love.

Joslin and I are ready for Christmas Eve service.

Really- nothing says Christmas like Rudolph, Santa and Yoda!