Windows and Roofing August 2008

Exterior Shots end of June 2008

Days of Summer

More than a few of you have mentioned that I have not added anything new for a long time.

Remember the name of this blog: "keeping up with"; well sometimes I fall behind a bit.

This summer has been full of magical days. This summer has also flown right by.

The announcement that Kelly and Chris are having their first child took me by such suprise and excitement I don't remember doing much more than just smiling for days.

You must read about the way the grandparents found out,on their blog. A classic example of how creative those two are. Well that was back in June over Fathers' Day.

Next came Westin's 3 rd birthday; that included a real birthday party with lots of kids, then a family swim and bar-b-que day and his first bee sting!

A Personality is taking shape

Since it is a 66 mile roundtrip for me to get out to the house and back, I don't go as often as everyone else. What I like about that is everytime I drive up I am surprised and form a new feeling for the house. This last trip up, I was stunned! She has a Personality. Really, I can feel it, and now I am walking thru the hallways and rooms and getting the great relaxing feeling I had hoped for. My desire for this home is to be much like a soothing oasis, a touch of a spa resort, with a killer kitchen. I think we have done it!

I haven't shared much information about the interior yet. Well, I think it is my interpertation of a dream empty nester. It is two stories, but, I can live downstairs and never have to go up to the other two bedrooms, two bathrooms and game room. They were put up their for the overnight visits from the grandchildren, or, when a bunch of you come to visit me. Each bedroom upstairs has its own bathroom and private balcony with awsome views.

These are the latest pictures.

Time out for Mothers Day

We all had a chance to relax, swim and bar-b-que. Kids went swimming and Bella loves to have swimming partners, Westin discovered it was fun to throw rocks in the pool and watch Dad have to dive down and retrieve them all. This will be my last summer here, so many of my "last" events are starting to take place. I will forever miss this back yard setting. All the trees and plants are close to 30 years old, and such a great canopy of shade and lush surroundings. Lots of memories were made in this yard. A great Mother's Day to remember!

Always in Fashion

Many Thanks to Kelly for getting us the very official OSHA approved
Pink Hardhats! OSHA is very strict and will shut us down if we do not have our hats on. They don't care if your a woman, owner or visitor, you must have on your hat when the guys are working. Kelly made it fun for us and safe. I think the guys like it too, they can easily tell if there is a "woman on the job".

Framing begins

Everything is good to go, cement is cured and the electrical outlets in the floor have been placed. Of course I wasn't really ready to make my final forever spots for the placement of floor outlets; like I have had time to figure out where all the furniture and lamps are going! I see now that I do need some spend some serious time figuring out where everything in my kitchen will be going so I can work with the cabinet man and not make constant changes. The lesson I have learned so far is that one needs to be way ahead in the decision making, now they also want to know what kind of gutters I want. There is no rest for my weary mind.
The payoff, the house is starting to look like a home!