Boy Talk

This is one of the reasons I love the cabin.
His Grandpa tells great stories!
















Well, most of the stories are good. He doesn't
look so thrilled with the story below...
















Jack will have the opportunity to know his Grandparents
better than most kids will. He is very lucky!

Girls Weekend 2008

Most of DABLASST came north at the end of June for a Girls' Weekend.

It was considerably chillier this year but we still enjoyed the water!

It was Tracy's birthday so we baked a cake while Tracy cut loads of fruits and veggies and made not-so-secret-fruit-dip!

We went out for a fish fry and had a fun waiting.

Shelley gave us a few more pointers on playing pool. Hips are good for something!

When it was too chilly to go outside (It even Hailed!) we played Tracy's old lady card game.

We got outside in between the storms to go for a boat ride.

What's that??? A restroom out here at the end of the lake! Amazing!

My favorite meal of the summer! Pasta, veggies (including hearts of palm! YUM!) and a bit of chicken only because I insisted on a little protein.

And for dessert... Um... Fudge??? You don't like fudge? Then Amy's got the fudge for you!!!!

On the last day of our weekend we adventured out to the little lake. Amy helped me work through my issues in a canoe. We did way better on the way back.

Tracy became a kayaking pro! Those of you at the Survivor Party a couple years ago will recognize the paddle...

Kim joined us in her paddle boat... pedal boat... whatever!

Steph used her 10x zoom quite often! It was good to have. She gets the credit for all of these pictures too. It was a great weekend! So good to gather again! We missed DBL! Next year!

Weeding the Hay Field

Last fall we threw down a lot of grass seed and spread straw so that the seeds wouldn't fly away. The grass grew this spring along with a straw field. I started pulling straw in one area and decided it was worth it. Many contractors asked if we had ever heard of a mower but I didn't want it to come back so I pulled each piece by hand.

Lisa saw what I was up to and joined me. She also did the whole area between the lake and the house. It was hard on the back but it sure looked nice when it was done.

JKLMNO's Dock Goes In

Oz's bought their cabin in January. It is 5 cabins down from ours. It came with a gigantic dock. It took all of the adults on hand to get it into the water.
Ozzie says, "This is heavier than it looks!"
3 men in waders jockey it into position.

This is where the water was higher than Jeff's waders.

This is where we had to have 3 people pull Jeff's wet waders off. He was chilled.

Ozzie says, "It's just about level!"

Kim and I are testing the sturdiness of the dock.

The kids wanted to see if the fish were swimming yet.

The first celebration on the dock!

Our Dock Goes In

When these two soul mates get it in their craw that the docks will go in then the docks will go in. Even if it snows. The pictures of the snow inside the dock didn't turn out, but let me assure you, this was a very cold day. Crazy Men!

This year the challenge was turning the dock over in the water.

They got it set in no time at all once it was turned the right way.

2 Crazy Men make a good dock setting team!

The Muck Truck

Den and TC gave us the housewarming of all housewarming! The muck truck arrived in time to haul garbage. As I am writing this we have also used it for hauling dirt and lots of wood for the fireplace.

Lower Cabinets

The cabinets found a new storage place in the sunroom prior to installation.
Jeff did the thinking while I supervised.
Oz came to help to. Jeff is so much more fun to work with when Oz is around!
There are so many cabinets! Doesn't Jeff look happy!?

We got them all installed! The peninsula and island are bolted through to the basement! Built in typical Jeff fashion! They are wonderful!

Trim and Wood Floors

Tom and Joel started installed the trim. They Kreged the pieces together and hung them as a whole piece.
It made the sunroom almost complete. We just need a gun over the fireplace!
The kitchen floor wood was delivered with a couple coats of finish already on it! Thank goodness!
In just a few days...
It was ready for boys in socks!

The Roman Shower

This is one of many exercises in excessiveness! Gary the tile guy spent many tedious hours creating a work of art in our bathroom!
We have a walk-in shower that is tiled from floor to...
Yes, that's tile on the ceiling! I just know I will be the one to get konked on the head when one falls, but it is Beautiful! It even has a seat!

Upper Cabinets

We built and finished the cabinets at home and brought them up in March. Dad helped install the uppers. He's the right height! We started in the laundry room.
Much to Jeff's despair I insisted on installing the oven hood. It blows smells outside of the house!
He was glad he had planned so well. Everything fit!
I love the paint color with the maple!

Fun with Warm Tiles

By the end of February we were ready for tile. We started with hardi backerboard on the floor.
Then we had fun with Warm Tiles. No one likes cold tile floors!
Next we put down the tile with the help of Jeff's laser gadget. I was amazed at how straight the tiles stayed!
The next weekend was grout. Not bad at all!
Then Jeff got to hang his super towel dryer! He put Warm Tiles inside of this tile and mortar monstrosity! 180 pounds of towel mildew prevention!

Jack got the idea from Poly union that he should go on strike! Warm Towels for everyone! Ha!