Thanksgiving Weekend

 There were just the three of us for Thanksgiving dinner this year but we still cooked up quite the feast. Turkey, gravy, stuffing, mashed potatoes, green beans, homemade dinner rolls, and pumpkin pie.

 Sam tried out some of the food and enjoyed trying to get it in his mouth. Then it was time to find a Christmas tree.

 We went to a farm and got to take a hay ride on the tractor. There were lots of trees to choose from.

 Sam says "Mom, I am not impressed - we need bigger!"

 We finally found the perfect tree. It was about 11 feet tall but when the spindly top and few bottom branches were trimmed it would be perfect for our living room.

 Tyler sawed it off then tidied up the base.

 Then it was time to drag it to the road and wait for our tractor ride back.

Then we drove it home and put it up to acclimate a day or two before decorating.

 We also got to see the Budweiser clydesdales on our trip to the country. They were huge!

 And lastly, we had to make a quick visit to see Santa.

Fireplace Surround Mantel

 I have been working on a fireplace surround as a secret for Kristen over the past couple of months. The bricks were put in place last week and final coats of paint were put on yesterday. Kristen and I moved it down to the house this morning from the shop. It will be nice to get the space back in the shop to work some more of the house projects. Here it is after just moving it in and setting in place in the living room.

 

Sam thinks it is a fun new thing in the house.

 

Right now there is no actual "fireplace", but it is sized for a gas fireplace to be installed at some later time. The firebox is just painted flat black for the time being.

Kristen took the opportunity to start getting out some of the Christmas decorations.

Happy 4th!

 July 4th is always the first day of summer in the Seattle area. We had our first weather above 60 degrees and it was sunny all day long.

 We took Sam to see his first parade. He did well until a bunch of tractors were stopped in front of us and kept revving their engines. He did not like that at all so we left for a walk and some lunch.

 We walked down the street at night to watch the fireworks and Sam slept through them. Overall, it was a great day.

Happy Memorial Day!

Christmas Decorating

 We hung our lights on the deck outside and got our wreath and tree. Things are starting to look a little more like Christmas around here.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Last year at this time we had no stove hooked up and no kitchen cabinets. The year before, we had no kitchen - just framed walls and lots of electrical wires hanging around. It was nice to actually be able to cook a nice dinner this year and share it with Tyler's parents.

 The turkey was fabulous!

4th Anniversary gift

This year, Tyler's big anniversary present to Kristen was a bed! It isn't finished yet, there is still the headboard to make and painting to do but here is what it looks like so far. He turned to posts on the lathe and they match each other perfectly!

Happy 4th!

Got up the American Flag buntings. Looking forward to a long weekend to celebrate our anniversary.