Building Update

Here is a quick recap of the last 4 weeks of the building process:

Staking

Mother nature dropped 18 inches of snow on us....

Snow slowly melting....

Digging

Parker playing on mountains of dirt

Footings

Basement Walls Poured

Lumber delivered and Floor installed

Mother nature dropped 9 inches of snow on us.....thanks again

Snow melting fast!

Walls up and framed.

Quick visit to the windy city

Traveled to the Chicago area to visit baby Caden for the first time with the entire family.  Surprisingly, everyone traveled well so it made for a good day.  Crosby pretty much wanted to either look at himself in the mirror or steal baby Caden's pacifier.  Parker jumped on the small trampoline, colored dinosaur pictures and spent most of the day looking at the fish in the aquarium.  Patty played games with Parker on her "down time" from being a full-time mom and the dad's just hung out and relaxed.   Pen and Patty compared stories on what was normal and expected in the first week with a new baby and then talked about what is in store the next few months.  So much excitement and love when a new baby arrives.

Crosby found the bottom of the exersaucer

and then he taught himself how to stand without help!

Caden taking a quick nap

Patty and Parker fishing

Crosby and dad wrestling on the floor

Crosby loved the mirror....checked himself out all afternoon

Parker spending some QT with the fish

Aunt Penny soothing Caden, not much
you can do when they are hungry except find the mama.

What, don't make me use the Tiger on you

Crosby was curious about the baby,
he is so big he could eat the baby.

Parker's B-day Pics

Parker turned 5 years old on April 7, 2011.  We had a nice family dinner at the house followed by presents and DQ ice cream cake.  Yeah.  Saturday was the kid's party with friends in Appleton at Monkey Joes.  It must have been the warmer weather or something because the "teenage" sized kids weren't there so it was great for the kids in our group.  We had a great birthday week for Parker and his grandparents from MN showed up!  Plus Parker is a cousin again, baby Caden was born Sunday afternoon in Chicago and everyone is healthy!  New age, new bike, new yard to play in (even though its all dirt) and a new cousin, what more could we ask for.

Family photo on Parker's birthday

We love ice cream cake!

Parker was hiding under the
digger but Pen caught him.

Birthday boy on his new bike
in front of our dirt pile.

Monkey Joes birthday party begins

Brian and Madisyn rollin thru the obstacle course

Jacob and Ali in the bounce house

Bella and Madelyn were buds all day

Parker had a great time, and he loves jumping...

Catchin some air, Errrrrrrrr

And even more, Boom.....

All capped off with that smile, its his secret weapon.

Let the building begin

As most of you know, we sold our house in early January with the intent of finding land near our good friends, the Berggrens, who just completed building their home in West DePere / Ashwaubenon.  Lucky for us, there were still a few lots available in the neighborhood and we put an offer on a lot in Feb and closed on 3/14/2011.  Originally we planned on breaking ground the next Monday but mother nature decided to drop 18 inches of snow on us so we had to wait a few weeks.  The first 2 pictures were on March 19th before the snow and the next 2 are from the week beginning 4/4/2011.  The process is under way, we have siding, doors, trim, stone, cabinets and some flooring picked out so far.   Can't wait to watch the process unfold, we are excited to get into the new neighborhood with all the young families around, the park is great and be close to our "neighbors" again.  Should be a fun and quick summer.

March 19th, Parker met the neighbors and learned
that there is a snapping turtle in the pond
near the back yard...can you say excited!

More of the 19th

After Day 1 of digging on April 4, 2011

Day 3 complete, getting ready for the basemnt walls.