Remodeling

So Charles has been working his tail off on our house. Now that his break is over from school, he will be taking a break on the house. But here are some pictures of all his hard work. I'm impressed. I think you will be too. :)

BEFORE

TV/Family Room, Dining & Kitchen (One big combo)

AFTER

TV Room (New paint, baseboards, moulding around windows and archway, and new couches)

Dining (that new door is to a pantry that Charles built in. New Tile)
Kitchen
BEFORE
Front/Living Room
AFTER
Living Room (New Carpet, paint, moulding and crown moulding, new couches and tables)
This WAS a storage closet (under the stairs) with concrete for the floor. We put in carpet and baseboards and are going to try and keep it empty for the boys to play in. Maybe someday we'll paint it something fun.


Charles also redid the bathroom and laundry room, but I didn't take pictures.

As you can see there is nothing up on our walls... We are still rearranging things, trying to see where they will go before we start decorating. We still have a lot to do like painting the doors, the ceiling, finishing up the pantry, putting granite counter tops in the kitchen along with some crown moulding on the cabinets... And we also decide that we are going to change the color of the cabinets to the same color as our kitchen table. But these may have to wait till next summer.

Anyway, Charles did an amazing job and we all are just LOVING it. He worked just about every minute he had. Here's the poor guy putting in some last minute tile before the carpet people came. He had been up all day the day before, then worked a night shift, then put the tile in when he got home. Then he went to bed! Yeah... he pretty much rocks. :)

What Little Boys Love

Sports
Well Jaden is definitely on a roll with scoring goals his first season of soccer. He has scored 4 goals up until now. One for his team, and 3 for the other team! Here is his latest OG. But watch how he tried to turn the ball as he kicked he in. You may also notice that Charles was the coach that day.



One day this week, Charles and Kaleb went outside to play in the rain. I didn't want to get the camera wet, so I took these videos through my window upstairs. Recognize the ball, Melanie and John? Kaleb loves it. He calls it his Christmas Ball.





Here is a glimpse of the Kaleb that I am very anxious to have join our family. Meet "Patient Kaleb." I was seriously amazed at how long he shot that ball without getting too frustrated and throwing a fit. Good job, Buddy!



Bugs
Kaleb discovered Roly Polies. Now the boys are always looking for them in our backyard. I love the way Kaleb says their name! :)



Rough Housing
Here is one of the many ways the boys like to Rough House. They love to stand still and have us try and knock them down with pillows. Some days it it too much for me to watch. I cringe and gasp whenever someone looks like they got hurt or is about to get hurt. But I guess I just need to get used to it. A family full of boys is bound to bring on the broken bones and stitches!



Helping Dad
The boys are also good little helpers... as long as it doesn't involve cleaning! Here are some pictures of the boys hard at work! Little boys, AND big boys. :)

Mowing the lawn

Ripping out baseboards

Pulling out nails

Uh... "vacuuming the wall" Nice work, Kaleb!

Cutting tile... (Poor Dad was having major issues shaping that particular piece, but even though he was super frustrated, he still had a smile on his face. Unlike Charles, who when I asked him how he was doing, reponded with a crude hand gesture. lol)

Laying tile

Here you can kinda see how the tile turned out. I'd say they did a rather fine job!

Painting (Here is a more appropriate expression from Charles)



Creative Play
They used the tracks from their race track to make a "city of freeways."
And here's Bradley... just because.