January House Update

The first month of the year led to a roof, sealed walls, stucco, plumbing and electrical, and a few surprises to boot.  We are making progress...we had to keep reminding ourselves.   Still spending a lot of time at stores looking at many things that we had to pick out.  Sometimes buying them too early and then not able to take them back.  Sometimes realizing that what we picked out was not good material or wouldn't work with something else, so we ended up back at Abe's when we had blown them off for being too expensive to start.  You learn as you go.

Outer wall stucco initial coat with window frame pieces placed.

Putting our kids' handprints in the cement pad for the air conditioners outside.

Gotta have some good insulation.

On goes the new roof.

Outer stucco layer two on.

Plumbing is in, inspection passed.

Back deck of the future.

Electrical is up, now is the time to change anything...

Presidential pattern roofing with venting system.

The old Spanish style colors around the garage door.

Outer stucco layer one.

Weather sealed layer on.

The roofers have arrived and they are unloading their cargo.

Old front door raised entryway.

What is to be added to the front of the house--front wall still up.

Schoolroom taking shape.

Brett does some measurements for the planning on the design of the bathroom.  Is this too late to be doing this?

Out at the backyard from the master.

While we are walled in, it got pretty cold out in this part of the house.

Temporary door to our future walk-in closet on the left served as a storage room for tools and stuff purchased for installation in the bathroom.

Naked roof, waiting for the rest of the job to be finished.

Woke up one morning at 5am with dripping sound, big puddle forming in the bathroom and spilling into the kitchen shelves, good thing we have a contractor coming in 3 hours...

We started the year with windows but walls that you could see through.

Winter Sports Season

     The boys began a new basketball league this winter.  They played Slam n Jam at Big Valley, because this was the only league that allowed Garrett to play at his age level.  Griffin played in the 3rd-4th Grade league, Bryce in the 5th-6th Grade league, and Garrett in the 7th-8th Grade league.  So we were not the biggest kids on any of our teams by any stretch.
     The boys and Joy also began doing some rollerblading in the park, which then translated into roller hockey in the court.
    This also marked the beginning of baseball practices and tryouts for the upcoming season.

Bryce enjoyed being on the team and playing defense.  He was quick to pass the ball when it came into his possession.

Rollerblading with Mom.  Good training for all.

Good job finding a softer spot to crash land...that is a valuable skill.

Protective padding helps too!

Baseball Tryouts...but it is basketball season?

DEFENSE Bryce (white jersey on left)

Griffin dribbles the ball up.

Garrett executes the pick and roll (red shoes).

Garrett on his roller blades for hockey.

Griffin in full Sharks jersey and pants.

Bryce says it is time to keep Dad from scoring.

Celebrating a successful basketball Saturday.

Garrett in-bounds the ball.

Garrett (#0) listens as his coach talks strategy before the game.

Griffin looks to defend against the post-up.

Bryce was tried out as a pitcher...he has never wanted to pitch in a game.

Bryce runs up the court to his spot in the offense.

I scored my first basket of the year.