Underwear Monster

When you ask your kid 5 times to put on his underwear. And he is such a smart butt that he goes and puts on 5 times the underwear because he said I told him to 5 times.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/7p4MB8zPSHJjkgiv5

Creating a Berm

We had a lot of extra dirt that we needed to do something with. We decided to put a berm near driveway entrance to create a bit of a blocker from the road. There was much debate over where exactly to put the dirt. Let's just say Eric got his way over threat of paying them to move the dirt again... Then we planted a bunch of ferns along the top that needed to be moved out of the way. It was a challenge to get the really big ones to the top. After that I had the boys plant more ferns on the sides as well as foxglove that was going to get ripped out otherwise. Then I had them plant a bunch of things I had in pots. I potted up a ton of hellebore's that had been there around the property when we got there. They like shade and will be good in this spot to fill up space. And the deer have never seemed to care much about them which will be good as this will not be a fenced in area. I also had a few daffodils in pots. I will likely keep an eye out for more to put out there on the shady side of the berm when things start growing in my pots. I also had a bunch of sweet woodruff ground cover that I had potted up from the shady area of our garden that I had them put in there. I am sure we will add things as we go, but that was a pretty good start.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/XePR99coRGRQtca1A

Saying Hello to Rudolph

They had a free public event up at the theatre today. We had to race up there after we finished painting. But I am glad we made it. They had 2 real reindeer that they kids could see. Then they had a free showing of Rudolph the Reindeer.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/Qoup5b6CdicezdEA6

Shopping for Appliances

We took advantage of Black Friday so that we could buy our appliances for the new house. We got a great deal and are really happy with what we picked out. It was a early morning and a long day. But I am glad we made it there to get it done. We asked them to deliver it the latest date possible in February as we are not quite ready yet to install.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/K5ijfBrsZs8dibmT7

Thanksgiving

We had a quiet little Thanksgiving with our family. We spent the morning cooking and watching the Macy parade. Then we went over to Tony & Susan's house. I think Eric needed a post dinner nap on the couch.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/a33TfyTZu48Sn5ZZ8

Tommy's Last Fun Soccer Practice

Tommy had one last soccer practice for the season. It was a fun practice. They asked parents to come out and challenge the kids.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/rt4aJgbXjnvcFKwQA

Worker Bees

My little worker bees have been helping the best they can with the project. Once we wrapped up the wood splitting they moved on to new jobs. Picking up rocks has been happening ever since they disturbed the dirt and every time they disturb it again. There has also been a lot of trash pickup, picking up and board, and picking up nails all around the outside. It is a constantly occurring job. They have also been helping to save pieces of wood for fun projects later. They have been collecting the left over but still usable pieces of wood and taking the nails out. Then stacking them to use later. I am thinking there may be some bird house making coming in their future. Also there was lot of getting water out of the house and wet vacuuming it up. And now that it is dried in there is lots more to keep vacuuming all the time. There have also been more plants to move and more cleanup in the yard. Lots and lots to do. Tommy has been very busy with both baseball and soccer this fall. And far almost all his away games for baseball he got a ride so we could keep working. Jake did not have as much going on do he did a lot more helping. He was such a great helper although there can be grumbling at times from both of them. I keep reminding them why we are doing it.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/3QGa5XaNyEHDSoDS7

Tommy's Last Soccer Game

Tommy had his last soccer game today. They did not manage a win today, but it was one of the best teams in the league. They had a great season though. And they wrapped it up at their namesake Island Queen with a party.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/2Ekw5L4oSxHpVmKR8

Sea Lyon, Orca and Troll

We had been wanting to head down to Pt Robinson to look at the troll. And since we heard about the big orca show down there last weekend I was watching to see if they would show up again this weekend. I saw a post about it while I was outside working in the yard. We dropped everything and rushed out the door to see if we could get a glimpse. It was a bit of a wait, but the boys played with kelp and threw rocks. And there was a very active sea lion flopping around a fish and getting attacked by seagulls. And then after a fair wait the orcas showed up. It looked like maybe 5 of them. Hard to tell. I was told they were transient orcas. The were not as large a group or as big of orcas as the one I saw two years ago. And they didn't come as close to the shore. But it was really cool. And the boys finally got to see the orcas up close as they weren't with me last time. Jake was so excited he ran down the beach past the keepers quarters trying to chase them down. Once the orcas had left and I retrieved Jake we went up to check out the troll. It was pretty cool to see all the little details in person.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/1iRHsuH4ffvm7LmTA

Putting Up Siding

They now have the siding up. So guess what's next. Paining in  November and December. I am sure that will be fun.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/3RUebzq9mVMANLDe8

Tommy's Sixth Soccer Game

Tommy's team played again today. He came so close to scoring a goal. He is really hoping he scores one this year. They also did some team pictures. Those goofballs.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/3cSr2mTSagHws6RQ9

Shinglemill Creek

The boys had no school today. So I tried to wrap work up early and we went on a short hike up Shinglemill Creek. We were hoping to see some salmon. We didn't see any but did have a nice little walk. We spotted some mushroom and a bunch of cool looking nurse logs.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/HNqDKyvGx9fq9CvJ6

Clearing the Garden Area

We have been working to clear the area which used to be the garden for a while now in anticipation of them needing to access the water line. I have been digging up plants for months. I emptied the pond and partially filled the pond. Eric got another part of the fence down. He also limbed up the tree that was touching the house again. He had already limbed up those two tree s before and they grew right back. Me and the boys dug up lots more ferns. We are now way beyond count. Likely closing in on 100. I am sure not all survived but at least we tried. Then the excavator came in and got the two big stump of the trees that were left. Now that we had a bunch of good dirt near the compost I used that to fill in the pond a bunch more and also started to get the plants out that were still around it. The excavator also broke up the lip of it a bit so I decided to break up the lip so more so it wasn't sticking out and in the way. I didn't finish all the way around, but I got some of it. I am excited to get to start from scratch on this area after the get the double wide out of there. I still have some more bushed to dig up, but I am stalling until I have a place to put them.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/Zg6jXnXT9fp1Rv6k7

Tommy's Fifth Soccer Game

Tommy had another soccer game today. It was the duel of the penalty kicks. We made one and they made one. Both were very good shots so tough for both goalies. Today ended in a tie.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/pSkTqKdjvS73ZehQ8

Installing the Electrical

A whole crew of workers came in over the last 2 days and installed all of the electrical. That made quick work of that. They are still waiting on punch list items on other things. Then we will need to do the garage floor and door and sprinklers. Then will come the final framing inspection.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/1npbeoaoYhUiAqzD8

Hair Cut

I convinced Jake to let me give him a hair cut. He could barely see and he really needed a trim. He was concerned I would mess his hair up. But it went fine and he didn't wear a hat or a hood the next day. So I guess that's good.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/tyGFDBkLn3v6vJLR6