Home, Sweet Home!

After some delays, we are set to close on our new home tomorrow morning.

Here it is! We feel so very blessed ~ this is the home we fell in love with back in early May! It took a few months for everything to fall into place, and our prayers were answered on July 1st.... More photos will follow ~ just wanted to post the very exciting news about what's happening in our lives this week -- moving into our new home, after nearly a year of prepping and selling our old home...living at the cabins for over three months...and purchasing a home we love. What an adventure! Can't wait to be settled in soon!

Summer Cabin Project 2009

Last summer, the big project was a beautiful new, brick patio. This year, Dad drew up a brilliant plan for a porch and deck on the small cabin. Here's our "engineer," sketching his vision for this year's big endeavor.... There really is not much that my Dad can't do -- his talents and skills are amazing!

Gordy and Grayson were awestruck observers throughout the week, quietly watching the various steps to completing the porch and deck.

Surprisingly, we were fortunate enough to find most of the lumber for the porch and deck on Craig's list, all for around $120! To buy it new, Dad estimated it might have cost around $1200 from Home Depot. We are thrifty, mountain folk!

Above you can see the progress on the porch.

Below, Gordon and Grayson watch and learn....

It's great to be part of a family filled with hardworking, strong, skilled, and handy builders!

Here are our future handy men!

The Schueler/Salzman guys really know how to work and get things done! This entire project was completed in less than five days!

Next summer, a porch will be added to cover the upper deck. A porch to the large cabin is also among future plans.... Other projects to follow include further finishing the loft/room upstairs to the small cabin, putting in hardwood flooring in the large cabin (Joey already acquired some used hardwood flooring), possibly adding new carpet and linoleum to other areas in the large cabin, painting the entire exterior to both cabins...and various other renovations. These cabins are indeed "a work in progress."

Below you can see the new porch and deck. The horizontal railing on the deck is temporary for safety reasons, until the porch above it is completed. Then it will have vertical railing all the way around it, as on the stairwell now. Painting or staining is also on our to-do list.

And here are some snapshots that show us relaxing & enjoying the patio, porch, and deck.

Gary

Josh

Mom & Grayson

Dave & Myra joined us for an evening BBQ -- The boys enjoy sitting on the steps of the new deck, and appear to be worn out from watching all that hard work.

We love the new porch and deck. The porch provides nice shade from the hot, summer sun and will be much appreciated this winter when it prevents snow from collecting in the low entry-way to the small cabin. The deck is a great place to relax, have picnics, and observe the stars in the clear, night sky....

4th of July, 2009

Another year, and the Placerville fireworks did not disappoint. We took a different route into town this year; the Forest Service Road entrance provided a new perspective on the pyromania. We enjoyed the backdrop of the western sky -- a hint of sunset still lingering at dusk added a nice touch behind the fireworks.

Joey, Dave, Dad/Papa, Gordon, Josh, and Gary took the Jeep.

Mom, Grayson, and I drove in the Suburban.

Ooooo...Wow! Grayson thoroughly enjoyed the display with Grammy, from the front seat inside the big rig. "I...love...fireworks!" was his comment for the night.

Dave, Joey, Grayson, and Mom/Grammy watched the light show.

Gary and Gordon walked a little closer toward where the fireworks were being set off.

It was a beautiful, clear night. Notice the moon behind us.

Dave, Joey, Dad/Papa, and Josh harmonized to patriotic hymns.

The annual breakfast in Placerville was delicious -- eggs, bacon, sausage, pancakes, hashbrowns, juice, and coffee. The auction didn't have much to bid on, so we opted out this year.

Gary relaxed while Uncle Doe-Doe entertained the boys.

Back at the cabins, we were surprised by a sudden thunderstorm, which caused some flash flooding in our entry-way.

The boys enjoyed the show as Papa, Joey, and Gary used the wet-vac to eliminate the standing rain water.

What an exciting 4th of July!

Grammy & Papa Head Home....

I'm way behind in posting, so my next few posts will be a little out of order. These photos show Gordy & Grayson "helping" Grammy & Papa load up their car for the drive back to Minnesota, as well as some farewell photos before they left (on July 6th).

Thank you so much, Mom & Dad...for everything!

As always, it's been wonderful to have you here for two weeks!

We have appreciated all the groceries, hard work on cabin projects, great conversations, family outings, help with the boys, and just being able to enjoy time with you...!

The time went by too quickly, as it always does.

Gordy and Grayson love their Grammy & Papa; saying good-bye is always hard to do.

Abi helped take their mind off of sad farewells....

We love you, Grammy & Papa!

Looking forward to your next visit to Idaho!

Gordon's 4-Year Old Portraits

Gordon did a nice job during his photo shoot!

Just look at that handsome smile!

It's hard to believe he's four years old already!

Gordon has discovered an interest in "doing paperwork" lately, and is working on his letters and writing his name. He loves dinosaurs, super heroes, fishing, and bugs. He has a growing streak of independence and can be stubborn, but he also has a genuinely warm and loving heart of gold.

We love and adore our little Gordon Henry!