Updates to the house

 
   I know I haven't posted anything about the house recently, so here are a few updates to what went on this summer. The main job was to jack up and straighten out the ceilings on the ground floor/floor of the top floor. To do that, the builder had to install a beam, so we just put a 'false' ceiling in the kitchen and dining room. The ceilings are still near 9 feet, so there is no real worry about feeling cramped, and those areas are more 'intimate' anyway.
  You'll notice the hard-wired smoke and CO2 detector that is installed in the hallway. The house is not up to code - it has even been inspected by an electrical inspector! Whooo hoo!

In that process, he removed the ceiling in the living room, and pulled out the old wall that had closed up the stairs. The banister is one he built.

From our trip to MI - this sign is in Shelby, MI

 

Tricycling!

 

You know... When I grow up, I'll be able to cycle on this path with Daddy!

(actual quote).

At the playground in Shelby

 

Climbing through 1 of the 2 tunnels

 

Up the climbing frame

 

Down the fireman's pole

 

And in the swing!

Sophie at the goats

 

Declan is showing Sophie how to winch the food up to the goats (notice the greedy one with his head through the bars trying to snatch it as it goes by).

 

Sophie and Dex play with the rocket with their respective Daddies in the background, sippin' coffee. Sometimes it seems like not that much has changed over the years...

Coppersville Train Trip

 

Our engine. This is actually taken at the turn-around in Marne, but it is the only really good shot I have, so it will start the images:

 

Declan on the train.

 

Declan with the hilarous conductor.

 

The station and engine at the end of the line in Coopersville.

Vacation '08

 

Feeding the Goats at Lewis Farm Market

 

On the dock at the cabin, throwing stones

 

This is the view while feeding the goats.

 

Rock Climbing wall!

Jeffery

 

Declan and Jeffery (and Grandma) at Lewis' Orchard in New Era, MI