Traeger

While shopping in Denver last week, we saw this grill/smoker and decided it was perfect for us. Dan has used it almost everyday since we brought it home. It uses pellets and has an easy on/off dial that displays the temperature.

Bench Building

Dan has started the building of the bench, located in the mudroom. Yes, he is sitting down on the job.

Cards and Conversations

While Gus and Nancy were here, we taught them the card game that we play about once a week with our neighbor, Jan. Concentration and different strategies are needed when playing this variation of rummy. We had lots of good conversations in between card games.

Move It to the Left

While Gus and Nancy were here, they helped us hang some of our art. "How does it look? It is too high. Move it to the left. Hand me the level. Where is the hammer?" and other phrases were heard during this process. These pictures will be enjoyed while sitting at the kitchen counter.

Beautiful Plant

This beautiful plant, a bromeliad, was a house warming gift from Gus and Nancy.

wood

Last week we took the Ford pickup and drove to Denver to get lumber for the built ins for the master bedroom. Someday Dan will start working on this project.

Weed or Flower

This splash of color is what we see when we look out the kitchen window.

Hike

On Wednesday I joined 12 other hikers from the Canyonland Hikers and Walkers for a hike on Booger Hill located off of Hwy 9 west of Canon City. It was a beautiful day in Colorado.

Lunch in Bailey

We enjoyed lunch with Gus and Nancy at the local restaurant in Bailey. It was a pleasant surprise to see Matt & Rosie Vuxinic and their two granddaughters at the "Chips" cafe.

new puppy

On our way home form Golden, we stopped to see Gus and Nancy in Bailey. This cute puppy belongs to the Groves. Colton and Alex get taller and cuter every time we see them.

Shelves

Shelves! These garage shelves will help us get organized around here.

Windows

In the evening we open up all of the windows to let in the cool Colorado air. And in the morning they are closed to keep in the cool air during the day. Dan is closing the windows in the clere story. We are happy to have a cool house (71 degrees) while it is in the 90’s outside.

area rug

Last week we went on a shopping trip to the Springs and found this area rug. It is in Dan's room and we think the colors go well with the furniture that is in here. It helps eliminate the moving of the chairs on the cement floor.

Shades

Shades were installed today. Green in Dan's room, chocolate in the Master Bedroom, and cinnamon in the other rooms. Two black out shades, one in the master bedroom on the east wall and one in Dan's room on the west window, will help to keep the house cool during hot summer days.

Bricks

The mixture was put into the wheelbarrow and taken to the forms area. Punching and patting the mud in the forms was necessary before pulling up the forms.

Approximately 1,000 bricks were made. Two more thousand bricks are needed before the wall can be repaired on the school house.

Historic Garden Park School Brick Making

We spent Saturday and Sunday working on the brick making project for the Historic Garden Park School which we pass every time we go to town. The goal is to restore this building so that it can be used as a community building.

First water is added to the mixer. Then comes some sand, dirt and finally a handful of straw.

Dan is working in the background sifting the dirt.

Bike Ride

While I spent the week in Golden with Noah and his parents, we went on several bike rides.

Peanut Butter and Jelly

Noah fixed his first peanut butter and jelly sandwich while on vacation in SC.

Hilton Head Timeshare

The view from the deck of the condo, where we stayed in Hilton Head, provided some entertainment. We saw, alligators, turtles and herons.

Fun at the Beach

Uncle Zac and Noah sure had fun at the beach.