All in a day's work

Some people take a day off of work to spend it instead on the golf course, or at the beach, even some at a luxurious spa. I'm sure all of those would have sounded alright ... but this man prefers a little more action on his days off.

So this is what arrived at our home one morning.

The Plan:
Move the existing roof off of the garage and onto the new addition. Then lift the roof that was currently on the ground to the garage. Never again would this house look the same.

Step#1

Lift the roof off of the garage. For this to happen perfectly all of the fasteners and nails had to be pre-removed. Usually, when the crane goes to lift the roof is still connected in a place or two . . . not this roof! Why? Well, because non other than the true master himself engineered this project! The roof lifted with ease free of any fasteners or other complications.

Not only did the roof need to be lifted and then set back down - but it also had to be turned 90 degrees to fit the direction of the addition.

Perfect!

Step #2

Repeat.

This roof had been built by my dad on the ground. I think it is worth mentioning that he was also working on a large hill that he had to account for.

We have lift-off!

Perfection yet again!

We all watch with excitement, nerves and great anticipation!

And these fellows were the brawn of the event! Thanks guys!

And really, how could a 5 year old pass up watching and exploring all the parts

of a real-life crane in action!

If these pictures aren't worth a thousand words than all I can do is tell you in my simple writings how much I love and admire my dad. He is the epitome of honesty and hard work. And never a foul or even negative word slips from his lips. You would think that with a project of this magnitude he must be retired or serve in the construction field through his career, but neither could be further from the truth. He provides very well for our family and comes home to laugh and enjoy our time together while at the same time accomplishing more than I may ever dream of. My dad is a man who gives of his heart, time and resources without a second thought in the matter. Countless have been touched by his goodness. I love him. I feel so honored to be his daughter. You're amazing dad! Only a brilliant mind could have executed this event with the exactness and perfection as you did. Love you!

Somedays are just like this -

Keira: Mom, I said I wanted fish sticks right now.
Me: Alright!

Somedays are just like this.
I can't help but laugh . . .
and ask her if she still wants fish sticks for lunch!

PS: Yes, I burned the fish sticks right through the plate - I may have ruined our microwave because it still smells bad every time I open it.

PPS: The blue plates are Bently and Keira's favorite. As in they fight about them three times a day. One less blue plate only means an increase in the demand. hmmm.

Gratitude

So much to be thankful for at Grandma and Grandpa's house!

Amidst all the chaos and dust of remodeling, it is a bit of heaven to be together . . .

and the farm just feels like home to us.

Daily walks through the cornfields lead to something exciting at the end.

Much better than a lucky pot of gold are some cows!

Grandpa's tractor is just as much fun turned off and parked as it is turned on. But just in case, theese two were willing to wait for a willing soul to take them on a ride. And I can't lie that Dakota and I weren't just as excited to try it out! Turns out we could all have a ride on the tractor at the same time!

I asked my dad why on earth he needed a tractor. A foolish question I was later to find out. When we went back to Michigan in December and the tractor (which was getting a new clutch) would have been really nice for our 4 plus feet of snow piles which were growing by the hour at times down a 1/2 mile driveway.

Taking care of the horses never really seems like a chore.

Especially to one who wears cowboy boots daily and whose best bud is a stick horse!

Keira discovered her love for cats.

It transformed her in a way and she hasn't really come back to her human form since.

Just so thankful for family and this beautiful world Heavenly Father has created for us.

His love is almost tangible at time like this...

Sweet

Dear Tessa,
I am sorry that it took me 4 months to realize that you had chronic ear infections. You have been on antibiotics longer than that. It's just so hard to tell when you are so happy all the time. You have the sweetest disposition a mother could ever ask for. You've smiled, and giggled through 4 months of pain - thank you. I am so sorry.

But the tubes are in now. I hope you start to feel as good as you act! I love you little angel.

Love,
Mom

Over 10 Years

that's how long Dakota said that he has saved this industrial saran wrap . . .

for an occasion just like this

Only because we love you little Boo!

Some days

. . . just have a rough start.

Glorious Grass

The day we worked and waited for has finally come. Only a few of you know how much this really means to us - thank you for being so patient with our eternal project.

This is what we started with on Day 1

(if you look really closely you'll notice there is an actual house there)

Yikes.

And finally . . . this is what we have on Day 730.

(exactly 2 years later)

We did all the work ourselves with the exception of a few dangerous trees and stump grinding. I think I know only a small part of the feeling my dad describes from building a house with his own two hands (and any other little one's he can solicit help from) and then having the opportunity to sit back and admire it. I really love this yard. Probably beacuse I've (speaking for Dakota here mostly) have put a lot of time and sweat into getting to this point.

What a peculiar thing to see two people fight over who gets to mow the lawn.

And so happy to do it!

Wasn't just the first time either!

Just Another Day at the Park

That's really all this is.

And it's a big part of our lives.

It takes up about 60% of our playtime.

(Right after I took this picture we were headed down a very gradual hill and I knew Keira would get a little nervous on the bike. So I reminded her to keep her hands on the handlebars. A second later she not only took her hands off - but also her feet! She very slowly went through a little wooded area and then slowly and gently tipped over. I was dying trying not to laugh!It was very traumatic for her!)

(And this was very traumatic for me. I was helping Tessa out of the stroller and when I turned around this is where Bently was! He climbed up and then took off his shoes and threw them down. I tried to climb up one side only to have him run to the other. New strategy. I tried to cheerfully and non-chalanty coax him down. Nothing. I just watched and panicked inside. At one point a man walked by and laughed saying "mom, you've got nerves of steel". Obviously, he eventually just decided to come down. I will live about 8 years less now from this little trick.)

Anyway, just another day at the park.