A Lot of Work and a Little Play...Keeping Us "Un-Dull"!

November 4-6, 2010

We were so happy to have a little time this last weekend with some of our Texan family, Spencer and Annie, to help us out. They flew in on Thursday night and we drove north right after our customary LeeAnn Chin dinner, by special request from Spencer. Annie slept the whole way up, all cozy in the great car seat we borrowed from our neighbors, the Schultzes. After turning up the heat, we bedded down for the night and awoke to a beautiful November morning. With the bright sun pouring in, Doug and Spencer got to work on building the upstairs landing and then the stairs from the main floor to the upper level. This was very complicated with all the calculations necessary to make the stairs evenly spaced. But they did a great job!

While they worked hard, Annie and Sandy hung out all day!

She walked around and looked cute...

And loved on Maddie...

And enjoyed the view of the sparkling lake...

We had Mnymmmmms...that is, we ate yummies and prepared the food for the guys...

And played and read books in the carpeted and safe play area...

And danced...With the country music playing continuously, Annie always found the beat and continued to work on snapping her fingers...

And we cleaned up after those messy boys...She's such a helper!

On Saturday, Lauren and Adam came up too and we had a really fun day. We got the porch steps done, all the stair treads on, some closet walls in and door rough openings resized, and the big branch/tree that came down in the storm cut up and burned up. Here are some great shots.

Adam and Doug working on the stairs. It's so great not to have to use the ladder to go upstairs anymore.

Lauren had a hard time moving around, barely fitting through the stud walls.

The guys got the left over shingles off the roof and stored for use on the garage someday.

Adam tried to pick up Lauren as Kya looked on in shock. Ya, not so much!

Annie got a fun ride and loved it!

Lauren, Sandy and little Annie

Kya awaits her dinner being strewn all over the yard, where she has to search to get it!

Lauren provided a built-in chair for Annie wherever she went. See Mom, no hands!

We built a set of beautiful 12' wide steps across the front/lake side of the cabin.

Here's the only picture we have of the completed steps. It's a little dark, but also shows the cozy glow of the cabin with lights on inside!

Spencer and Doug made quick business of the fallen tree branch. Love that Husqvarna!

Adam took charge of the burning duty. He's as much of a pyro as Sandy!

Annie loved climbing around on the downed tree and construction piles!

How fun to have our little sweetie with us for the weekend!

Chris and Kelly were deer hunting on Saturday and CHRIS GOT A DEER! He was pretty excited about his excellent shot!

We were all happy to be able to spend time with Spencer on his 23rd birthday on Sunday the 7th! We enjoyed chili and cornbread at Lauren and Adam's before Spencer's and Annie's mid-afternoon flight home. It's always hard to see them leave. We cherish every opportunity we have to spend time together as a family!