The largest project that occurred this past month was that we had the pool repaired.  We hired a company to remove the old cracked and yellowed plaster and replace it with a pebbletec finish.  It was quite a project to watch - after they drained the pools 5 guys spent a day using jackhammers to remove the plaster (clearly the neighbors loved this...).  The next days ~ 8 guys came and installed the pebbletec.  This was very interesting - as they all wore spiked shoes and hung their tools from wired strung across the pool.  Therefore the only things that touched the new surface  were the 4 spikes on each shoe.  These guys worked in shifts all day so that the layers did not set.  The kiddos (and Tim and I) found it very interesting.  The third day only consisted on one man powerwashing and buffing the new surface so that the new pebbles could shine.  Once it was buffed, then we started to fill it with water.  The kiddos loved being in the new pool as it was filling with water.     

I cannot believe that it has been over a month since my last post!  We have been very busy with the remodel, prepping our old house to sell, moving items, and just "regular life stuff."  We have completely removed all the carpets and most of the tile and wallpaper (a few stubborn areas still remain).  Tim has spent the bulk of his time working on tearing down and building new walls in the kitchen, mud room, laundry room, and office.  The rest of the house is seeing little to no structural changes.  Here are some cute pictures of the kids "helping" us and simply enjoying themselves in the midst of the construction.

Tim has continued to de- and re-construct our new home.  While Tim is doing the bulk of the work, the kiddos and I are trying to help a fair amount - mostly we are unskilled laborers.  They both enjoy "helping" me tear down wall paper, pull-up carpet, and carry construction trash to the dumpster.  The weekend nights are great because they both are so tired that they go to sleep early and sleep well all night long.  I wonder at times if this is "slave labor," but then I see how happy they look in the pictures working and I realize that they love it as much we do!  They are excited to be a part of the project :)

Liz rolls up carpet pad, while Sam "works" on his copper pipe.

Our, um, kitchen (?)

Our den is now open to the garage...  Soon there will be a mud-room and wall again.