Movie night will never be the same

Mabel's room finished, attention turned briefly to revisions in the basement.

110" was all that would fit and is currently just on a primed wall. Special paint arrives next week which should make it look even better...although we all found Up to make for a pretty spectacular family movie night.

And soon enough it will be time to paint Sam's room.

Christmas 2011

After a couple breaks to take it all in, we checked out her big "gift" from us, her new room. She and Kate followed a string from the living room up:



She was too excited from the whole day to nap, but is sleeping in her new room tonight.

A turkey is a funny bird...

Santa 2011

Unveiling.

That thing Kate is carrying around...we're expecting it to be a boy. We're going to name him Samuel Alexander and call him Sam.
We had to abandon the working name "Tony" so Mabel would not forever think that was his name.

Movember 2011

Here on the 30th day of November, 2011, I am done with my first Movember.

About Movember
During November each year, Movember is responsible for the sprouting of moustaches on thousands of men’s faces, in the US and around the world. With their Mo’s, these men raise vital funds and awareness for men’s health, specifically prostate cancer and other cancers that affect men.

I led a team of 60 co-workers to help raise $15,000. Fun and will be glad to shave it off.

Start:                                                            Finish:

Mabel's new room

After Thanksgiving guests leave, we will be painting and getting Mabel's new bedroom ready. Tony will be taking Mabel's current room. We're hoping to pull it all off without Mabel knowing, which will be a bit tricky. Please don't tip her off.

Possible layout and some renders:

Hand turkey time!

Winter hat

Mabel picked it out, all by herself:

Slackin'

We have been neglecting the blog. And taking pictures. And probably a dozen other things.


Kate's belly is growing. The belly is named - "tony". Mabel is excited.

The bathroom project is once again on hold as we wait for the contractor we want to use. This time for finishing the plaster work. Then we'll be able to paint and maybe be done.

Stop action

Pumpkin time

Mabel got to pet some cows:


Mabel was pretending she was a guinea pig: 


And most popular, a large "boot cleaning" puddle:

The next chapter

Returned from California

I was in California for much of the past month for work. To finish it, Kate and Mabel joined me for the last week. We spent a few days in Venice Beach, Los Angeles, visiting with friends and the remainder in Mission Beach, San Diego. Great to see friends in LA. We all loved the zoo. The beach was lovely. Sea World was pretty entertaining:

So nice to be back home.

Mabel's Second Birthday Pics

Oompa

This is how we roll while on vacation:

Shoe land

Kate has always had a bit of a shoe problem. Mabel has it too.

Full bath

Last night M took a bath. :-)



Room is getting there, just in time for some travel.

Birthday girl!

Mabel is now 2. All of her grandparents were out to help us celebrate. Kate put together an amazing birthday with no detail missed. And we got some pictures.

Birthdays should start with balloons:


And balance bikes:


Toy houses:


And a cupcake with just the family:


For the actual event, a life-size Elmo cake made of different kinds of cake in nearly a dozen layers:



Add to that kits gift baskets and a big Elmo balloon almost every kid took a turn wrestling:


Eating with friends:


And taking a break at the end of the party, still in her Elmo dress and shoes:

Reading

She might not get all the words. Or pages. But she definitely knows her books.

Half of full-bath operational

With the tile finished and wall grout sealed on Saturday, Sunday was my time to get back to work. Got the toilet and sink installed. Tub is tomorrow. Then on to molding, finishing the drywall, paint, medicine cabinet...close, but not quite done.

Tile is almost done

Baseboard done and floor grouted:


Really happy with how the baseboard turned out:

Progressing

Subway walls:


Floor is flat:


Chair rail:


Floor:



Tomorrow is molding. Then grout.

Converted crib

Two years of videos

Renovationizing

Free time? What was that?

Bathroom
Old:


My work, demo, electrical, plumbing and framing:










Contractor's work:
New subfloor


Walls!


and the start of tile!