Trick or Treat

Cole and Lauren right before going out to trick or treat.


The pumpkins a few days ago after being carved.


This was the first year where I didn't have to carve both pumpkins. Lauren helped trace and cut out the pattern. Cole was busy playing with his trains.

Backyard work - Day 1

Our landscaping was due for an overhaul. After finalizing on a company and design, the work started this past week. Things seem to be moving pretty fast. Luckily I was able to drain the pool before they started.


Here's during the first day. Notice the Weeping Willow in the corner among other things is missing.


Finally those ugly water features will be removed.


The grass on the wall is actually to protect the wall from the demolition.


Hopefully our neighbors won't mind all the materials in the road.

Contractor after contractor

I had to stay at home for a Home Energy Audit (post to come later), so I decided to schedule as many contractors as possible for the same day. Here is our snail shower where we had to put up a shower curtain because the draft would make the shower so cold. We've had this up for almost 3 years now and decided it was time to upgrade.


Here you can see our 3/8" clear frameless shower door with US Horizon hardware.


Our old 75 Gallon water heater started leaking as well so I arranged to have it replaced.


Here's our new 50 Gallon Bradford and White water heater. I looked into getting a tank-less gas water heater but the federal tax credit ended last year and it's just too costly to convert over. Plus, we didn't have the luxury of waiting any more since it was leaking already. The gas line would need to be upgraded to 3/4" and the vent pipes would need to be upgraded to a stainless steel.

Peeping Tom?

If you look closely at our neighbor's tree, you'll see something peeking at us.




Our friend from before but this time hiding in the tree.

Cloudy to clear

The next project on the to do list was to fix the cloudy headlights on our car.


I bought this from Target which turned out to be cheaper than Amazon.


Since the kit is basically sandpaper, I put on painter's tape to make sure I didn't damage the surrounding paint.


Here's the finished product. Next up is to have a professional put on a clearbra over the headlights so that they don't get scratched up and cloudy again.

Lunch date

Scorpion hunting

First time scorpion hunting. Managed to find five. Four in the back and one in the front yard. Might be time to get an exterminator or go hunting on a weekly basis.

Kitchen modifications

Sabbatical is a great time to finish all the things that we were just too busy to do. First was adding some storage for all the cutting boards and bakeware. We bought these Copco storage racks from Crate and Barrel but you can find them a little bit cheaper at Amazon.


We had to go with these removable racks because our cabinet has an electrical box and conduit in it that prevents us from mounting something more permanent.


Here's the finished product. So much better.


Here's another project that we've been meaning to do since we moved into the house. Here are the existing garbage cans. Notice they are square in shape so they only hold 27 qt. Also, with this design you have to open the door all the way and then slide the cans out.


Here are the new cans. These are 35 qt each and the door mounts directly to the system so you only have to pull the door open and everything opens up. This is a Rev a Shelf storage solution. Fairly easy to install but you need to make sure you order the right version to fit your cabinet opening.

Fearless @ Capilano bridge

Legoland

This year's San Diego trip included Legoland for the first time. Here Cole is earning his driver's license. The amusement park is perfect for kids age 3-8.


The kids are taking in a show in fun town.


Christy and Lauren are enjoying a nice boat ride. Luckily you can't sink.


One of the many incredible city replicas made out of legos.




After 2 days at Legoland, the kids enjoyed the beach. Here they were venturing out in the water waiting for a wave.


Both hard at work.


Next up was the USS Midway.




What's a vacation without a carousel ride.


The kids loved finding snails by Legoland.

Vacation - Top Pot

2nd Sabbatical - Vancouver, BC

The second part of our trip up to the Northwest included going up to Vancouver and Whistler. Here's a view from our hotel just south of Stanley park.


Seaplane near the convention center.


We visited the aquarium at Stanley park. It's pretty nice and even includes a nice butterfly exhibit. Here's Lauren checking out the frogs.


Finally a picture where they are both smiling. Maybe all the pictures will be this cute.


Spoke too soon.


We checked out the Capilano suspension bridge. They have a few other attractions and some short hikes that make it worthwhile.


Not sure what was going on with Cole that day. We took the gondola up to the top of Whistler.


The kids are checking out the views.


Here you can see the peak to peak gondola ride. They even have some glass bottom gondolas but we elected not to take one.


Lauren is looking for bears. I might have told her that she could spot some if she looked closely.


Some falls on our way back to Vancouver from Whistler. At least everyone is smiling. :)

2nd Sabbatical Part 1- Seattle

It's that time again, sabbatical. Every seven years, we get two months off. This year we only traveled for about 2 weeks.


On our way to the Grandparent's house the kids fell asleep. This did provide us with some nice relaxing time to just enjoy the weather and sip some drinks.


Here we checked out Snoqualmie falls on our way to Remlinger Farm.


Cole checking to see if his tongue turned color.


Lauren enjoying the horse ride at Remlinger Farms.


Cole taking his turn.


Grandpa and Cole waiting for the duck tour to start.


Grandma and Lauren's turn for a photo.


Seattle space needle


Clear view from the top of the space needle. You can see Mt Rainier in the background.


View of the pier and pike's market from our "Cruise ship" aka the commuter ferry.


Fighting fires is a serious business. We got a tour of Aunt Jill's fire station. Cole even managed to open the garage door.


Sheer joy


Someone didn't want to be photographed with Aunt Jill.


We took Lauren and Cole fishing although I don't know if you can really call it fishing. You had to keep the hook away just so you could "fish" a little bit longer.


Lauren posing with the Tiger at Point Defiance Zoo.


Why must she hold me so tight?