In Which Little Miss Eleanor and Her Mother Come for a Visit

Katie and Eleanor came to spend 10 days with us while Josh had his first "Go Live". Eleanor took to Grandma right away, but found Grandpa a little overwhelming at first.  Then he started doing things like taking her out with him in the morning to feed the dog, and letting her pet the dog.  Things like that make points with little one-year-olds.

 

Grandpa also knows that all children love snowballs.  And this little one loves to eat cold things, so this made a LOT of points for Grandpa.

While mommy shops...

Eleanor like to play legos.

But she doesn't like trying on too many Easter hats.

She loves very large Easter bunnies.

And she loves sitting on the new step Grandpa built.

And going to church.

And coming home!

And carrying around bears bigger than she is at Great-Grandma Schenks house.

And playing with the Madame Alexander baby dolls...

While mommy learns more about doing her geneology.

She loves carring baskets around by their handles

in preparation for Easter.

 

And learning how to open plastic Easter eggs.

But she doesn't like sitting still on Grandpa's lap so

Grandma can get a picture

of her in her new dress.

Eleanor does love cuddling with her favorite blankie before bedtime.

 

But what Eleanor loves most of all is eating her vegetables. 
With a fork.  All by herself. 

Good girl, Eleanor!

The Really Big Project Part 1

About 20 years ago, Keith and I had this great idea.  We had a carport we didn't really need because our house came with a double oversize garage.  We had a very small living room.  Why not turn the carport into more living space?  Perfect!  Well, guess what?  After 20 years, we've decided to throw caution to the wind and go for it!  And now, voila!  We have created a masterpiece I like to refer to as the North Wing.  It's been a fascinating process.  Eric said he didn't know what the inside of walls looked like before.  I didn't know how great Keith would be at building this room and Keith didn't know how many thousands and thousands of details and decisions would be involved in this "simple" project. It's taken many many hours of manpower, many late nights and early mornings, a few minor injuries, (don't worry they're almost healed) and way too many trips to Home Depot, but it has definitely been worth it!   I would say the most surprising part of this process has been how well Keith and I worked together on the thousands of decisions that had to be made.  I know, it's surprising, but true.  It's been nice how some things fell into place.  We found tools we needed for good prices at pawn shops just when we needed them.  When we decided that it would be best to go ahead and install the gas fireplace as we were building rather than wait til we could afford one later, we found the perfect one on craigslist right when we needed it for a really great price.  Some things were more challenging, like finding a good mud/taper for the sheetrock.  Carrying the sheetrock in the house!  That stuff is incredibly heavy!  Thanks to Andre for helping with that, cuz I'm not strong enough to be much help.  Cutting holes in the cement foundation for heat ducts was a fun challenge.  Working with existing walls and beams that weren't straight was a challenge as well.  Through it all Eric was a great sport, providing that all important helping hand when needed, climbing in the attic and in the tiny crawlspace too.  He even learned about insulation, wiring and sheetrocking.  But mostly, Keith just powered through, working to get things just right.  And so now, without further ado, I present, The Really Big Project Part 1!

Whew!  That's a lot of blood, sweat and a few tears (just mine, when I stepped in a hole in the floor and cut my shin open!).  Can't wait to get part 2 done!