Back Porch Project

Well, we finally finished our back porch project. We started on it back at the end of May and have been slowly working on it until now. This project was different than previous home improvement projects because we could actually close off the construction zone from the rest of the house. It was nice to not have to live in our construction zone. We had a lot of help from several friends and family of which we are very thankful! Below are some pictures of the before, during, and after.

BEFORE:

The corner of the porch by the toy horse was sinking down which was causing structural damage to the rest of the house. Since we had to tear everything out and put in a new foundation we decided to go ahead and redo everything on the porch and convert it into more of a 3 season room.





DURING:



The concrete construction crew that we hired did a great job. They had to brace the roof of the house since the porch wall was an outside support wall. They worked hard and did some extra work for us at no additional charge.




Deann's brother Robert did the framing for us. With the aid of a nail gun, he got the whole exterior wall framed in 1 day and we had time to put the windows in on the same day.


My dad helped me put the siding on.

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Several other friends helped with the project. Here some friends are helping me hang the insulation in the ceiling and walls. It was dirty, "itchy" work!

FINISHED PROJECT: (FINALLY!)

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This cabinet/bench was completed thanks to the help of Deann's dad. It is a base cabinet but also serves as a window seat.

This is a close up of the doors to the cabinet.

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A close up shot of the decorative trim on the book shelf.

This picture is taken from the window seat looking back towards the house. The coat rack and shelf were also made by Deann's dad. The bench below the coat rack is another product of his.

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Surprise!

We found out this week that Deann is expecting baby number 4, much to our surprise! The due date should be sometime in April. We'll know more after the first visit with the doctor.

Trip to Arkansas

Meghan and Julia were a pair in the 3 legged race.


Kaitlyn and Rhonda were a pair.

Ryan and I were a pair. :)

Amanda with her new friend, Joanna.

Everyone from MO who went.

Brandon is missing his fiance.

We went to the Arkansas camp in Batesville, AR. The camp location wasn't as pretty as in times past but the accommodations were wonderful! We had such a wonderful time of fellowship with the Saints! It was good to see everyone again!

Amanda's Sweet 16! We had a bar-b-que, volleyball, and water fight time at the park then came back to our house for dessert and a surprise slide show. What a blast! Amanda has some truly wonderful friends. We're so thankful that this year she celebrated her birthday as a new person- a child of the living God! What mercy He has shown!

One of the gifts we gave Amanda was a trip to Washington D.C./Baltimore, MD. It was very HOT but neat to see all the sights.

Spring and Birthdays

It has been several months since we've posted last. Spring has come, finally, and the kids love to be back outside again. Ryan likes to put on his shoes because he knows that means he gets to go out. He started walking. For the first few weeks he would walk with both arms stretched out for balance, one arm further than the other. He looked like superman. He is getting around very well now. We celebrated his 1st birthday in March. Meghan turned 7 at the end of April. Levi, Jenny, and the boys were in town for her birthday and stayed for a week after. We all enjoyed spending time with them. This past weekend we had a banquet at our church honoring some graduates. We all got dressed up for the occasion. Of course, the girls were excited as they are always looking for an occasion to dress up.





Ryan and Mommy after Mommy finished decorating Ryan's 1st birthday cake.




Ryan testing out a piece of his cake.



The kids enjoyed a ride in the wagon.






Amanda was kind enough to pull them around.





This has become a favorite hat to put on Ryan.



This goofy hat was compliments of Brandon after he returned from Europe.




Ryan and Daddy hanging out.




Marcus and the girls awaiting the beginning of Meghan's birthday party.





Meghan reading one of her many birthday cards. As Levi pointed out, she is now able to read better than most NBA players.





Meghan is now 7. In case you can't tell from the picture, her theme was strawberry shortcake.




Ryan joins in with the girls playing on their new doll house.




There was a formal banquet at our church honoring some graduates. We all enjoyed getting to dress up for the occasion.




Meghan and Kaitlyn with some of their friends.

Ryan enjoyed more than just food at the banquet.

Meghan and Kaitlyn after coming home.

The girls wanted to show off their pretty hair.

One of the pictures Meghan took of us. Not bad for a 7 year old!