The wall

I couldn't get a very good picture to show what the wall is actually doing. So what you're looking at is from the corner of the wall. What happens is the outside of the wall bows out quite a bit, but the inside of the wall stayed straight. It really doesn't look THAT bad, and it will be covered by dirt, SO all in all it's really not a big deal, but another funny story to add to the list.

big rock

just hanging out on the big rock next to our driveway

Blow-out!

No, i'm not going to tell you a nasty story about one of Lane's diapers, although I would have PREFERRED that to the event which i'm about to describe. SO yesterday we got our inspection on our foundation forms, they passed (YAY) and our concrete people actually wanted to get out there in the afternoon instead of coming the next day (Even better!!) So everyone gets there, we start to set up, and Scott tells me: "Jim had a dream last night" Me: "oh yeah?" Scott: "yeah he dreamed that our foundation walls blew out at the bottom." Me: "yikes....that would suck...." Scott: "yeah, I think we're ok tho.....there's no way....." So this is the point where i probably don't even need to finish the story because you all know what's coming next....BUT I will.... SO they start to fill up the back corner wall, and i'm standing there watching, and I'm looking at this wall bouncing in and out while the kid is dumping concrete into the wall....and i am thinking...."hmmm that does look a little bouncy.....what if Jim was........." *POP**GUSH**GUSH**GUSH*** the bottom of the wall broke loose and concrete started pouring out the bottom all over the ground.....I was a little stunned, and was sure that was the end, and we'd have to take the whole thing down and scrape it all out and start over.....adding another week to our project.....BUT the men all scrambled and shoveled and pushed the wall mostly back into place and braced it up. And started pouring again...*WHEW* then *POP* It busted again, and pushed over the huge 2 foot around cement pillar it was braced on....YIKES! So then we were all at a loss of what to do, but the boys scrambled again and started bracing up the ENTIRE perimeter of the foundation and then we had the concrete people do laps around the place instead of filling one whole spot at a time, and that worked better. SOOO after a few hours, a lot of cuss words, some stollen 2x4's for extra bracing (thanks Frank and barb!), 1 pounded thumb, and some desperate prayers, we got the whole foundation poured and *HOPEFULLY* it lasted thru the night! I didn't take any pictures of this whole ordeal for fear that I would have had my camera smashed into a million pieces, but i'll post a pic of "the wall" after it's dried......it has an extra artistic element to it.....i'm sure that everyone that sees it will want on on their house..........we're up for hire :) just give us a call!

Footings, Foundations, and Framing OH MY

This is Step 1, footing forms...they passed so we filled them up.......

The step 2, foundation walls. They are being inspected tomorrow and poured.....THEN

We are getting our framing materials on Friday and we'll start framing Saturday!!! stayed tuned for the progress pics :)

"Gramma" Terry

This is our adopted Gramma, "Gramma Terry." Lane LOVES gramma terry, and the feeling is mutual. Today we took Gramma Terry to see our property and the start of our house, and then we went to lunch. At the age of 94, Gramma can still play and sing with the craziest of babies (aka Lane) And we love it. Lane especially loves it when she plays the piano for him, so he can dance.....he has QUITE the impressive moves when she busts out the rag-time tunes. He also loves getting rides in Gramma's wheel chair (pictured above) Gramma terry gets to go to Nevada for a few months, so we'll miss ya, Gramma!!

I love dirt!

Really the post title says it all. Lane loves dirt, everything about it! The feel, the taste, the way it adds character to his clothing, how it feels in his diaper, how it gets stuck in his finger nails.....EVERYTHING......and since we have enormous mounds of dirt at the building site, Lane has discovered boy heaven.

New Addition!

That's right....an '89 fire station suburban. WHY??? You ask? WELL let me tell you.

1. It will be our new plow truck since our home will be in a great snow belt.

2. It actually beeps when you back up!! (My fav part)

3. It seats 9 people......BRING ON THE BABIES!!

4. It's 4-wheel drive

5. It was cheap

6. AND the funniest reason....when Scott was at the property, burning a slash pile, the inspector showed up for our forms. He sees the fire, and says, "hmm, did they lift that burn ban?" Scott:" I dunno" Inspector, "hmm....well (looks at "the burb") you work for the fire dept, so who cares, right?"

HAAAhahahah....i love it. YAY FOR THE BURB!!!!

More rainbows

We were in Sandpoint Idaho, and there was a really awesome storm (which left snow on Sweitzer mountain!) and it made a GREAT rainbow. I couldn't get the whole arch in one picture, so just imagine the two images side by side and that's what it looked like....pretty sweet

Big boy pants

Look how old Lane looks. YIKES!!! I noticed this when I got him some new pants. They're actually like little man-pants. He even has cargo pants like his daddy, and it freaks me out a little bit when I see him running around in his big boy pants.....pretty soon his going to be asking me to drive or something :)

BFF's

Kitty and Lane are BFF's. Kitty loves to be held by Lane, except when Lane holds him by the head or back fur. Lane is learning how to be gentle with Kitty, and no longer throws him on the ground when I tell him to put kitty down.

Hello Kitty!

This is our little cat, "Kitty"

He is very brave, and apparently a good little escape artist because HE did not get eaten, like his big brother "Kitty cat"

"Kitty is a fiesty little cat, and is very cute. Lane LOVES him, and he actually likes lane.... We do need to get him a brother though becuase he has no one to play with and catch mice with....so look for "kitty2" coming soon.

More Random pics

Sword fighting
my boys
more sword fighting
cutie

Pictures at the Lake

We finally went camping at the lake WITHOUT going for work purposes. Our friends Nick and Kelly went with us, and Lane LOVES his "uncle" Nick. here are just a few random pics from our fun weekend that I thought were cute.

Lane and uncle Nick

Munching, notice the filthy hands.....i'm a terrible mom :)

daddy saves the day!

(with his shirt??? Yuck)

Lane discovered cat tales

Boots! Lane LOVES his boots...probably becuase they are like daddy's boots. Lane loves to wear his boots 24/7 if possible...

Foundation

our septic tank


We got our footings/foundation/septic system all dug out, here are the pictures of the holes. The mounds of dirt are ginormous, and lucklily Lane has not discovered them yet.

Let there be water!!

Who would have thought that such a small hole (smal but VERY DEEP) in the ground could be the source of so much pain an anguish?? Well.....WE DO!

BUT even after this little well has caused us so much heartache, we forgive it....because now it gives us water!

Some of you have heard the tale but let me fill in the rest of you. After the inital dig of

a LOT of feet, half our well is lost becuase of a cave in. Why did it cave in? Well there was no liner in it. Why was there no liner?? Becuase we were only getting 1/2 gallon/min. SO after hydrofracturing, setting a pump and pumping for endless hours to get all the bleach out, we still have half the well we dug, BUT look at this beautiful water!!

so clear and COLD

here is the river i made down the side of our driveway...you get a little bored waiting for 4 hours while the water pumps to clean itself of bleach.

Building update: With the completion of our LOVELY well, we were finally able to get a water sample and turn in our building permit application. Theoretically, the say it takes two weeks to get your permit.....soooo in OUR case, we'll probly have it by Nov 1 :) so scott can frame in the snow!

Just Cuz

The Grampa Bill tongue continues

These pics really have no relevance other than being cute. Lane loves daddy's old hunting hat

Nothings better than a tractor!!

I find it kind of funny that all boys love tractors so much.....even the ones that would never admit it.....the minute you let them sit in a tractor and play in the dirt, they are the happiest boy ever. Lane is no exception. He was so whiney, and the second daddy let him in the tractor he was perfectly content.

Scott took a break and let Lane drive. He's a natural

Look at that smile...

We even let Nicholas in on the fun!

So yes, we got our footings, foundation, septic system and most of our water line dug this past weekend. Typically this isn't all done at the same time, cuz there's so much dirt.....so now our building site looks like a bunch of huge dirt mounds....wonder how they'll get the cement truck in there.....

What does a Monkey say??

This is my first attempt at a crochet animal. I had to make one because Lane's Gramma (HINT HINT) hasn't made him any toys yet......just kidding mom!! I just wanted to try it. It was really fun, and Lane LOVES it. He even can tell you a monkey says "oo oo aa aa" Baby Genious i tell you.

Lane has finally learned how to give NICE kisses.....he loves his monkey

BFF's

Trucky's Last Stand

Well, after almost 12 years of faithful service, my beloved Trucky is laid to rest (temporarily of course) Here is a picture of his finer days, helping me haul my toys....something he loved to do.... I couldn't bare to post a picture of his current state: the passenger side front shock broke and the whole front end is all but laying on the ground. So sadly I had to take him off the insurance because he won't get fixed for quite a while.....but don't fear, trucky will one day rise in all his wonder and glory and drive again!!!

So here's to you, Trucky!!! Thanks for all the fun, the cross country road trips, helping me move (several times) All the late night runs for ice cream, surviving a flood, all the off-roading even though you aren't a 4X4, all the moments of joy and laughter, and sticking with me through hard times.....I LOVE YOU TRUCKY!!!!!

So I looked out the window and.........

YIKES!!!!!

I just brought in my groceries and i was feeding Lane some lunch, and I look out the kitchen window and there he was!!!! I thought it was a big black dog at first, then i looked again and realized it was a bear!!!!! I ran to get my camera and forgot to even show Lane before he ran back into the woods. So add one more animal to the count, now there's turkeys, deer, BEAR, and oh....don't forget the coyotes that woke us up last night howling outside my window......i'm pretty sure that they ate one of my kitty cats last night!!! oops....:)