Deck

As most of you know, this summer was our deck project summer.  We launched it on Memorial Day weekend and Dave worked on it pretty much every weekend the entire summer.  You might be wondering how it could possibly take an entire summer (and then some) to build a deck...the answer is, we built a large deck with many levels and built-ins, plus when Dave does a project, he does it to perfection.  It is the coolest deck we could have imagined.  Well beyond my expectations and definitely my favorite project to date (easy for me to say since Dave did 99.9% of the work). 

Here are some before, during, and now shots. 

Demolition of the tiny existing deck.

 

The area cleaned up and ready for building.

Dug around 15 holes to support the frame.  Luckily Dave had help from his brothers for this phase.

Checking out the depth.

 

Here was the concrete that would later fill the holes.  Just a few 80 lb. bags to lift.

Framing.

Dave always had a helper, eager to help measure or just nail something together.

 

 

The first deck boards!

 



Here you see the metal framed fire pit (and lots more progress on the deck boards!).

And here is what it looked like at the beginning of September.  About 95% done at this point. 

 

 

The triangle areas will be planter boxes next summer.

 



 

The fire pit is covered in this shot, we plan to tile the outside next spring.

The kids and I couldn't be luckier to have such a wonderful builder/Dad/Husband.  The deck is absolutely beautiful, couldn't have asked for anything better.  Thank you also to Josh and Mark, Grandpa Jernstadt, and Grandpa Baldwin for all of their help as well (and Grandma Baldwin for painting the trim on the barn windows)!  We couldn't have done it without all the support from everyone. 

Birthday fun, day 2.  Michigan Adventure!

Grandpa and Grandma Jernstadt joined us for more birthday celebrating at Michigan Adventure.  We had awesome weather and so much fun on the rides, both dry and wet!

 

We started out doing the regular amusement rides.  Carter and Mia both enjoy roller coaster type rides so we had fun going on pretty much anything that they were tall enough to ride on.

 

 

Carter also asked to ride in the front car on a lot of the rides! 

 

Carter loved the go carts too!

The kids (and grown ups) also loved the log run ride, Mia was a bit nervous about the big hill but she did a great job.

We also tried out another water ride that we've never been on before.  We thought it was a ride like the log run, a ride where you get splashed a few times here and there.  Since Mia was too short to ride on it, I drew the short straw and stayed behind. 

There were some great viewing points for this ride.  Here is Mia, doing some dancing while we waited for them to appear.  While we were waiting I happened to notice that everyone who exited from the ride was soaking wet from head to toe.  Sometimes it's nice to sit a ride out!

Here they are rounding the first curve.  This was the first of MANY waterfalls.  If you look close, you can see they are starting to realize that they are going to get very wet very soon.

A few more splashes than the log run.

Rounding another corner, Carter seems to be loving every second!

Too bad I didn't get an "after" shot as they sloshed their way to the exit area.  Not one spec of dry clothing on anyone. 

We headed for the water park next since most of us were already soaked.

Mia was showing off her new found love of putting her face in the water.

After the water park, we did some more dry activities.

 

 

A big smooch for Grandpa.

 

On the way out we met Charlie and Lucy - the kids were a bit shy at first, but they humored me and let me get one picture.

Thanks Grandpa and Grandma for coming on our fun filled adventure!



Carter Turns Six!

Hard to believe that Carter is a six year old!  We took a long weekend and celebrated with a party and a trip to Michigan Adventure.  We had such a good time, it's fun to close out the summer with such exciting activities.

First we had a little party at our house the Saturday before his birthday. Carter wanted a Lego cake and Dave did a fantastic job making that wish come true.  (We even put 6 of his favorite Lego guys around the cake to make it more authentic). 

 

 

Grandpa and Grandma Baldwin, Uncle Josh, Uncle Mark, Aunt Traci, Ema (Grandma Webb), and Grandpa Webb all came to help celebrate. 

Grandpa and Grandma Baldwin

(Yes, this is our new deck that we were sitting on...it's not quite done here, stay tuned for a deck post in the near future).

 

Uncle Josh

 



 

 

Uncle Mark and Aunt Traci

Ema

We had fun watching Carter open his presents, he did a wonderful job reading his birthday cards out loud (even the hard words) to all of us.  His reading is incredible lately!

He got a lot of cool stuff - Lego's (of course) along with a neat spiderman web shooter and this cool new big wheel from Dave and I.  This is not your old-fashioned big wheel from the 80's.  This one goes super fast and spins on a dime.  Carter's face was priceless the first time he cranked the handle bars to find himself doing a 360 before he could blink. 

Even Dave had to try it out...

We had a fantastic party, thank you to everyone who came and made the day special for Carter.

Happy birthday Bud, we love you so much! 

Stay tuned for our Michigan Adventure post coming up next.