Summer Home Projects

New carpet for the family room, office/sewing room and guest bedroom was installed in June 2012.  Yay!!!  We purchased the carpet at Lowe's and had them remove the old carpet and install the new carpet.  They were reliable and efficient.  Our job was to get the rooms ready before the new carpet arrived.  That meant painting all the rooms and ceilings.  Courtney did a great job on the guest bedroom and Bill and Teri did the family room and office/sewing room.  The biggest job was painting the ceiling of the family room since it is a vaulted ceiling and also the popcorn type texture.  And...the ceiling of the family room connects and extends through the dining room and kitchen so they all had to be painted.  The time and effort was definitely worth the clean, fresh look in all the rooms.  Pictured here is the family room during the installation of the carpet and after the furniture was returned to the room.  Yeah, it's our blue room.

A picture of installation in progress in the office/sewing room.  The finished guest bedroom and office/sewing room.  Love the feel of the soft carpet and enjoy the fresh look.

We stained the rail fence the lines our driveway.  Brandon did a great job helping us with this project.

Before and after pictures of restoring our deck.  Bill replaced several deteriorated boards and sanded off as much of the old paint as possible.  Our experience with decks needing to be redone every several years pushed us to explore our options for this project.  We found a product called Deck Restore that is "guaranteed" to last 8 - 10 years.  It is applied with a special roller and is very thick with sand in it.  Since our deck is 600 square feet (looking for sympathy here), we sincerely hope this product lives up to its guarantee.  The product has been used commercially for years but has only been available for several years to the general public.  We will let you know the duration of this finish.  It's beautiful now and we are very happy with it.

Orlando Visit

On July 9th, we enjoyed a visit from friends from Ashford - Janis Orlando and Lisa Orlando Adams and her children.  Becky and Lisa Orlando Adams were good friends during their school years in the Eatonville School District.  Lisa was visiting her parents, Bo and Janis Orlando, for a month.  We are thankful we could arrange this visit.  Lisa and her children sat in the shade to have hamburgers, watermelon and chips for lunch.  Becky, Bill and Teri are pictured with Lisa's children.

After lunch at Bill and Teri's, we retreated to the pool at Becky's house.  It was over 100 degrees so the kids enjoyed cooling off and the adults enjoyed the shade.  Lisa's children are so sweet.  They really know their way around the pool since they have one at home, too.

It was a really special and fun day.  Becky, Teri, Janis and Lisa got a picture for the memories.

Stonehenge

In the Columbia River gorge just off Hwy 14 is a replica of Stonehenge.  It was built by Samuel Hill as a memorial to the WWI soldiers and sailors of Klickitat county who lost their lifes in the war.  Construction of this memorial began in 1918 but wasn't completed until 1930.

"This monument is erected in the hope that others inspired by the example of their valor and their heroism may share in that love of liberty and burn with that fire of patriotism which death alone can quench"

The view from Stonehenge is fantastic.  A patch of farmland, the Columbia River, the Sam Hill Memorial Bridge and on a clear day - Mt. Hood.  We have stopped here on our trips to visit Bill's mother and brother who live in N. Bonneville.  

Shad Fishing and Father's Day

Courtney just relaxin' before a day on the river gets crazy!!  We had 17 people in three campsites at the Lewis and Clark Campground in North Bonneville over Father's Day weekend.  Shad fishing was in full swing and we always enjoy having family time. 

Mike is the chief griller for a Father's Day barbecue.  Nice picture of the family (Brett, Bill, Becky and Jason) enjoying the time together on the river. 

Great meal of salmon and steak, watermelon, salad and picnic stuff.  Courtney, Lindsey and Brett are filling their plates and Kyle and Courtney enjoying the good stuff.

Besides family, Kelly and Mike Hedrick, friends of Becky and Mike, joined us.  Bill's nephew, Wade Minor, and his daughter, Hollie, also spent some time fishing with us.  Pictured are Megan, Hollie, and Wade (all seated).  The more, the merrier!!!!

There is always time for goofing off with Becky.  Brandon and Kelsey Hedrick are enjoying the good weather and good food.

Merry is evaluating the situation (I think).  Megan and Jason looking on while Bill reads cards and opens gifts.  Everyone pitched in to get Bill some molds for shad jigs and egg sinkers.  That will be a winter project.

 The shirt says it all!!  WORLD'S BEST GRANDPA!!!

Jayden's Graduation

On Saturday, June 9th, a party was held to honor Jayden's high school graduation.  It was an exciting and proud time for the graduate and his family and friends.

The graduate makes his entrance with his girlfriend, Promise.  They are a great couple.

Family members gathered to have a fun time together.  Jason, Mike and Becky are in the party spirit with jokes, etc.  Grandma Sonja decorated, cooked and anything that needed to be done.  She could be a party planner for hire.

Grandpa Bill and Grandpa Greg must be conferring on what advice to give Jayden as he makes his way into adult life.  Uncle Brett and Grandpa Bill look serious.  Must have caught them off-guard for this picture.

There was a bonfire and balloons outside and cake and balloons inside.  A great party for the graduate.

Jayden reflected on this special time in his life.  He shared how much his family meant to him.  He especially thanked Jason for taking care of him and his family.  There wasn't a dry eye in the house by the time he finished sharing.

Three of Jayden's favorite ladies - his Mom, his girlfriend (Promise) and his sister, Megan.  They all looked beautiful.

June 10, 2012, is the big day for Yelm High Seniors of 2012.  The commencement exercises were held at the Tacoma Dome and it was a packed house.

The diplomas were handed out quickly since there were over 300 graduates.  It took some planning and help in spotting Jayden but we actually got a shot of him getting his diploma and congratulatory handshake.

Lots of pictures for the memory book.  Jayden with his family and his Grandma Sonja.  Grandpa Greg and Grandma Sonja are proud of their grandson.

A picture with Grandpa Bill and Grandma Teri.  Gotta have a picture with the special gal, Promise.