More reno

Here are some more photos of house renovation projects.

Ryan and Ben laying sod on my birthday - Thanks, Ben!

Front yard view

Completed back yard

Front yard - it took us (with some help from Ben and Jay) four days to complete both yards



G helping me take down some ugly blinds in the kitchen



I really couldn't have done it without him.

G helping Ryan start the new deck




Ryan worked many evenings on the deck.



Top deck done, bottom one to go.


Measuring to get it just right.

Daddy's little helper

Old deck

New deck

New deck - all Ryan!

George and Garrett doing some electrical work

George's little apprentice

Old living room fireplace

New fireplace - all me!

Bye-bye Murries

Our dear friends the Murries recently moved, and we were so sad to see them go. We've lived in the same city twice, and we hope to in the future again. Our kids have become good friends, and it was the first time that Garrett really understood that one of his friends was leaving. He cried when I said that they'd maybe come for visits, saying, "I don't want them to visit. I want to have playdates!"

We've loved having you close, and we'll miss you terribly, Murries!

The going away party

G's surgery

Garrett had to have a little outpatient surgery about a month ago. He was really excited, and spent the pre-op time grilling the doctors and nurses about how to use every instrument and device. He chose root beer for his flavor of anesthesia gas, and took his Blue Bunny for company during the procedure. When the nurse asked him if he was scared, he scrunched up his nose and said, "Why would I be scared?" He was in surgery all of about 20 minutes and was happy to enjoy popsicles and Gatorade afterward. The only part that upset him was the removal of the tape holding the IV in place. He also got to choose a sticker for himself on his way out and was sure to get a Hello Kitty one for Scout. At his recent post-op appointment he was sad to hear that he wouldn't get to do it again. Sweet and silly boy!

Pre-op

Post-op

Halloween

We started Halloween with a family fun day at our neighborhood park. We ate and let the kids play games. Scout made friends with a great dane, and Garrett hit a tennis ball with a pirate. Next, we walked around the Natural Gardener nursery and saw farm animals and fun gardens.

Our friends, the Greenes came over to trick-or-treat, and it was great. Our neighbors went all out with haunted houses, graveyards, witch potions and giant mousetraps. We dropped off the daddies and girls, and took the boys out again to cover more ground quickly about halfway through the evening. Both were dressed as Batman, and they had fun ringing the doorbell, hiding, and then jumping out to scare the person answering the door. We finished the evening with UT football, which we've come to learn is one of Scout's favorite things to watch. It was a fun night!

Tennis

Hula hoops

Swinging at the nursery



Chickens and a rooster at the nursery


Batmen!

Little lion


Trick-or-treating


On to the next house!

Mousetrap

Spooky cemetery

Enjoying the game with Daddy with her milk and one hand down her pants!

Halloween Party

Yes, it's December, my house is decorated for Christmas, almost all of the presents are purchased, and I'm just now blogging about Halloween. One day, this blog might become a priority that I can manage to keep up with, but, for now, it's more like sweeping the leaves off my front porch - I know I'd be happier if I kept up with it, but I always seem to be behind.

Anyway, we decided to go forth with our annual Halloween party, even among the debris of a house renovation. Luckily, this holiday lends itself to dilapidated, old houses. Our friends did not let us down with their costumes this year, and the kids were all really cute. Our table was spread with all manner of spooky dishes, including eyeballs and severed fingers. Ryan and Hudson led the kids on a hunt for bones in the greenbelt behind us, and a few kids found a real bone. I'm hoping it belonged to a deer.

Thanks, spooky friends, for making it another fun party!

The food

Getting some dinner

Batman and a ladybug eating together

Toilet paper mummy game

Scout running on steam and sugar at the end of the night

Pumpkin patch

We went to Sweet Berry Farm again this year for their pumpkin patch. Ryan couldn't join us, unfortunately, but the kids had a wonderful day, anyway. The weather was perfect, and the crowds were thin. We enjoyed a hay ride, stopping in the middle to take some pictures in a great old tree, painting pumpkins, feeding the goats, water games, and berry ice cream. We ended the day by picking out some small pumpkins, and the kids loved it all!

On the hayride

On the hayride

Pumpkin water games