So Much to Update!

Well, we are officially flying! As I told you in the last post, the sink is in and operational. We have been doing dishes, and life is getting back to normal.


We were also able (Daddy, Mommy, Alex and Anna) to put in the new microwave. Carl sent it up with Seth, and amazingly enough, we were able to follow directions and get it mounted AND running properly!


Daddy was able to get the dishwasher put back in place and hook it up, and as soon as the electric is hooked back in by the Joe's, we should have an operational dishwasher. (Other than Jen! :} )

Carl and the gang were over today and got a very exciting piece of the project done. They got the countertop cut and laminated for the peninsula. It looks amazing, and exactly what we dreamed it would be. In fact, I am writing this post seated on a stool pulled up to the peninsula!



Daddy was so excited, that when we got back home from supper and a movie (Night at the Smithsonian), he got crazy and hung the last remaining cabinet, the long one over the peninsula, with Alex and Mommy's help.

Alex was very excited, and gave the countertop its first test dance!

Carl taught us well!

We are getting close to completion. We have to put the back piece on the peninsula, the put the back splash on, the flooring down, and paint the walls. Daddy still has one coat of mud to put on, but all in all we are coming along great. We will send more soon!

The sink is in and operational

Yesterday's task was to hook up the sink, both the water in and out, and I am happy to report that it was successful! In fact, I am on my way home to do a load of dishes with my wife!

More Progress on the kitchen!

Carl, Seth, Jim and Rob have been going gangbusters this week. We were able to get all the lower cabinet bases in the peninsula anchored to the floor and level, which was no small thing. The HVAC duct comes up in the end cabinet, and that cabinet sits on the joint between the hardwood floor and the new kitchen floor, which gives it a little roll. Carl the expert got it fitting tight to the floor with no roll. On top of that the base is airtight to send the air out the duct, as planned. Carl is the man!




The Joes then showed up and hooked up the electrical, which meant the outlets now work, and the recessed lighting worked as well.


Rob took care of the drywall mudwork, twice! There were some tricky joints between old and new sections, but Rob got it looking great. While he was doing that, Carl, Seth, and Jim made the countertops for East Wall (the one with the sink/dishwasher/lazy susan) and the small cabinet between the stove and the fridge.


Today, Carl, Jim and Seth put the Fermica on that countertop, and laid the sink in place. Sam got home from work and hooked up the stove.

The spacesavor microwave oven came in today, and we will put it in shortly. We will keep you informed!

Kitchen Installation, part 2

Well, it has been a busy week in the kitchen! Carl, Seth and Sam were busy getting things done. We started by putting some of the cabinets up on the wall.



Carl and Seth worked on the plumbing, so it fit into the sink cabinet.

And the duct work for the space saver microwave.

By the end of today we had the hanging cabinet all in place (save the one over the peninsula), the sink base secured, and the lazy susan in the corner leveled out.

Where we sit so far!


Tomorrow we will set the rest of the floor cabinets, and after some drywall work, we will hang the last cabinet over the peninsula. Then we will work on the counter tops. It has been an amazing trip! I enjoy learning how this comes together.
Carl has been amazing! The neighborhood kids love him! Erin stopped over today to give Carl a school picture. Sterling stayed on the deck for a couple hours watching.

We will get some more pictures up tomorrow. Love you all!

The Kitchen Project, Day One

Today it started! 8:30 this morning Karl, Seth, I and the Joe's (Sr. and Jr, the electricians) started working on our kitchen. Today's progress, we stripped the entire kitchen; Old cabinets, drywall, and flooring.


The electricians then went to town! They ran new wiring for new outlets in the proper locations, put in 4 recessed light receivers, and ran new wires to the fuse box. In the process we discovered that the fuse box was not functioning properly and needed to be replaced/updated. The Joes will take care of that early next week.

After that, Rob, Karl's brother-in-law; helped us put down the new flooring, and insulate and drywall the kitchen.

To finish the day, Karl and I unpacked the base cabinets and put them roughly in place, and moved the hanging cabinets in from the deck. Tomorrow we will hang the wall units, and rough in the plumbing, all that worked around a trip to Central Baptist for an outreach event. Here are some pictures.

Before Demolition

After Jen knocked out the the upper cabinets

The Joe's took care of all electrical issues

Demolition Crew

Wiring progressing nicely

Lunchtime for the crew!

Taking up the old floor

Drywall going up, floor already in place.

Drywall done, working on the plumbing

Putting the cabinets "roughly" in the right places

Andrew takes care of the empty boxes.

Day at the Beach

We miss mommy, but we did have fun at the beach. It was sunny and just a little short of warm (60) and the wind was a little too brisk for comfort. That being said it was a wonderful day! We played catch, grabbed a bunch of shells, and laughed a lot.

A New Car for Uncle Seth

Uncle Seth's Purple minivan has breathed it's last. The transmission is out, and replacement was not a practical option. So, today Seth brought...



A 2003 Chevy Monte Carlo SS. Isn't she a beaut!?





Our friend Micah Molin at Union Park Auto Dealership guided us to the car. Below are a few pictures!