Basement Finish-Days 8 and 9

Days 8 and 9 dealt with the electrical and HVAC subs making sure we would be properly juiced and heated. There isn't much in the way of pictures because, well frankly, it's just not that interesting.

We decided to go with mainly can lights because we do not have the luxory of high ceilings in the basement and Jeff did not want to feel like he had to stoop when he walked down there. Here are the cans for the TV area.

Here are the cans for the exercise area.

Remember that fresh air intake I told you they would need to move? I think this is where it is going.

Here is the ventilation for the bathroom.

There is still a little more HVAC work to be done and the cable guy will be here on Tuesday. Hopefully, the inspection will also be done on Tuesday and then the drywall starts going up on Wednesday.

Basement Finish-Day 6 and 7

Day 6 ended with the framing being finished and Day 7 had some plumbing work done.

The bathtub.


Roughed in linen closet.

The half-wall in the kitchenette area.

Sink and dishwasher plumbing.

Down the hallway.


Encasing a support pole.


The HVAC people will re-route this air intake and then this will be made into a storage area.


The great room.

Day 5

Day 5 saw more progress with the framing. Framing was to be finished this day, but one of the guys was out sick, so there was only one man here to try and finish up. The framing was completed on Day 6, however, I didn't get a chance to take pictures and then the plumber came by to start work. I will post those pictures later tonight.

Here is the walk-in closet that will be in Jeff's office. To the right is the utility room that will also offer a small amount of storage.


Here is the bathroom.

This is the bonus room.

Here is another view of the bonus room looking through to the bathroom.

One end of the great room that will initially house exercise equipment, but may eventually be turned into a game area.


Down the hallway.


The wall where the TV will sit.

Basement Finishing-Day 2

I didn't think ahead enough to get pictures from before the contractors started or after Day 1. Day 1 was spent chalking the floor and cutting wood. There wasn't anything up at the end of the day.

Here is the view from what will be Jeff's office looking into the bathroom and down the hallway.


Here is what will be the walk-in closet from the office and part of the utility room.

Looking through the bathroom, the bonus room and part of the main living area.

From the main living area through the bonus room, bathroom and into Jeff's office.



What will be the hallway from the main area.

Merry Christmas!

We hope that you all enjoyed a wonderful Christmas!

Miss Richards' Fashion Show

Reese as Emily Griffith

Reese and her teacher, Miss Richards

Earlier this month, Reese's 3rd grade class held a turn of the century fashion show. The students picked a person from Colorado history and dressed as that person. They did research and gave a short presentation as that person. Reese chose Emily Griffith and she and Jeff searched for a costume at a local costume store and a thrift shop.

Our Thanksgiving Hawaii Trip

On the 15th, we migrated from the cold of Colorado to the tropics of Hawaii. We chose to vacation on the Kohala coast of the Big Island in the Waikoloa Beach Resort area. We played the role of tourists very well by taking in the Kona coast (of course we bought coffee), swimming, snorkeling, doing the Volcano Park, more swimming and going to a luau. We had so much fun and the only bad part of the trip was getting on the plane to leave.





Click here for more pictures.

Pumpkin Party

Last week, we attended our friend's 4th Annual Pumpkin Party. Each year, we bring a pumpkin for each kid and carve a myriad of designs and figures. It seems to get easier each year because the kids are old enough to carve their own pumpkins.

Noelle got tired of trying to figure out the stencil and switched to computer games.

Emily and two friends trying not to lose their fingers.

Reese wielding a (plastic) knife.

Emily's Last Cross Country Race

I thought about posting all of Emily's pictures from her meets since the last posting, but then realized that they all looked the same. Instead, here are pictures from the last meet of the season. I really do need to thank my uncle, Scott, for the new camera. There is no way that I could have taken any of these pictures without that camera. With our old camera, the delay was so long that action shots were impossible. Now, we can make flip books with the rapid fire shots that we take. The telephoto lens makes it possible for me to be standing hundreds of yards away and still take a great shot. Thank you!

Noelle

While at Paul and Judy's on Labor Day, we saw three deer out in the field. These are some really cute pictures of Noelle watching them.

Reese's Rocket

For Christmas, Reese received a rocket kit that was put together over Labor Day weekend. She and Jeff decided to shoot if off at Uncle Paul and Aunt Judy's house, since they have more open space. Click on the pictures to enlarge. Here is the rocket before lift-off.

Jeff and Reese at the countdown.

The rocket lifted off so fast, this is the only shot I was able to get.

We couldn't even see the rocket in the sky. Only the plume of smoke.

Reese

Noelle in Dance Class

Noelle has just entered her third year of dance. We have moved to a new studio that is right by our house-Northridge Dance Conservatory. This has already saved so much time and hassle because the other studio was about 25 minutes away, in the middle of rush hour. Noelle is again in a combined tap and ballet class. Right now there are only 2 other girls in class, so there is more individual attention.

Emily has decided that she wants to try ballet, so she is at the same studio with a very dedicated instructor. I'll try to post pictures next week, as there is no class this week due to the holiday.

Reese is undecided if she would like to take up an activity this fall. Her hip has been causing her some discomfort again, so until the orthopaedist looks at it, she wants to refrain from physically strenuous activities.

Emily's First Cross Country Meet of the Season

Emily had a spectacular start to the running season today. She finished 14th among 100 7th and 8th grade girls. Jeff did a great job with the photography and captured many great shots.

Finish time

Poetry in motion

And they're off!

Part of the pack

Just for you, Paul

At Paul's request, here are pictures of the backyard projects from this summer. Please excuse the weeds, as the landscaping is not complete.

Here is the gazebo that makes the patio a little more usable, instead of a roaster.

The furniture inside the gazebo.

The recently completed swingset. This weekend we plan to fill in with more sand and make sure the concrete is not exposed.