Perma-grin...

Last week was really fun since we had family in town to visit. Wendel and Ashley came in for the day on Saturday from Seattle for the babyshower/birthday celebration (see previous post). Paul and Karen came into town as well from Idaho for the weekend. Paul really wanted to see the progress we're making in Washington (on "our house" -- about time for an update!), so we drove up to Brinnon on Sunday. We stopped for a picnic lunch at Potlach State Park, right on the Hood Canal. (Paul is reading the information sign below). It's just a basic park, but easy to be beautiful when it's on the Hood Canal. :)

Karen and I are chowing down on sandwiches and carrots. I'm a health-food junkie, so I don't make very fun picnics.... Luckily, I think Ron brought Doritos.

Ron and his parents enjoying the afternoon....

When we got to Brinnon, we went inside. Paul took the camera and captured some of the different features of the apartment above the garage. This is the view from upstairs, 3rd floor -- just imagine the balcony being finished... But the view is always fantastic. Paul was too nervous to get any closer, so you can see the sliders in front. (I guess Paul is afraid of heights? must be why he does flooring instead of roofing....)

Despite the lack of finishing touches, Karen still found a place to relax. This is in the bedroom, next to one of the bench-seat windows.

The whole time we were there, Paul sported this "perma-grin". It started in the Gazebo, and just spread from there. I think he had a good time, even if it was only for a day.

And here is the current status of our house (from the road side). Recent additions were: The garage doors and trim, Front entry door and keypad lock (accessible from the internet if we ever get a connection), foundation waterproofing and drainboard (ready for backfill). Near future plans: put up siding and get the thing ready for winter -- hopefully before the baby comes. It almost looks like a house! Even though it's only a garage....

Since we haven't back-filled the front of the garage yet, it is a bit difficult (and scary!) to get from the road to the garage. You can see Karen held on to Paul as he crossed, since we don't have handrails on the plank anymore (no where to really nail the rails, since we now have trim on the garage and entry door). Hopefully we won't need the plank much longer.... (I don't like crossing it either).

And then, when we first enter or last leave, Ron does this little acrobat routine to get in and out of the garage.

Upon leaving, Ron locks up the garage door from the inside. He then steps out of the front entry door, making sure it's locked....

Then he traverses the chasm to the plank and closes the entry door....

He regains his balance and makes sure the door closes....

Then he confidently walks back to the road. (Like I said, hopefully we won't need this plank much longer... :). I love Ron! (Do you see his sympathy belly below? So cute!)

We drove back Sunday night, which was actually alot easier than I anticipated, even with me being pregnant. I think Paul and Karen are glad we went, and probably want to spend more time there than we had.... and, of course, Ron loves showing it off. He does have a bunch of blood, sweat and tears in it, after all.

Just for fun, I digitally created a rendering of what it will look like when it's complete. not too shabby! :)

"The most important work you and I will ever do will be within the walls of our own homes."

-Harold B. Lee