D's Hard Work!

Hi Fam,

David decided a couple of weeks ago that he wanted to renovate the kitchen. We had talked about doing it this summer, but I wasn't sure we had time. I'm really glad that he went for it! He removed hardware, filled holes, sanded, primed twice and painted two coats on the kitchen cabinets.

A view of our sparkling white cabinets. Since this picture, D has installed pretty hardware; I'll post more later. Not pictured: our refrigerator, which is in the dining room. D set up a nice little kitchen for us there.


David had to take out each shelf and drawer, prime twice, paint both sides and haul each piece up and down the stairs to the basement!






After this, D started tearing up the floor. Two layers of linoleum and 1/4" plywood . . .



. . .led to a rubber layer of 1930's flooring. David tore this up as well, along with the tar-like mastic, and found hardwood floors in decent condition. The floor fellows arrive tomorrow to sand and stain it!

He has worked so hard and it looks great! On Monday, D plans to focus on prepping for school, so the home projects will slow down a bit, but I'm so thankful that he accomplished all this!

Last Weekend

David has been wanting to see Fallingwater; we thought that last weekend would be a good time for a drive to Frankie's house.

We had reservations at 10:30 a.m. for an hour long tour of the house. No photos were permitted on the inside, but afterwards we took pics of the grounds.







We stopped in Ohiopyle State Park and ate at the Firefly Grill. There were lots of lovely trails that we will have to go back and do when I'm not 8 months along, but we enjoyed the driveable look-out points along the way. We thought of you, Sarah--you'll have to see this park!

We stayed at a charming little B&B.

L

Fun Weekend Trips

Hi Fam,

We've had some fun trips in the past week! We went down to DC for the night to see our friends the Meisenheimers (Carrie--then Carrie Vickery--was one of the bridesmaids in our wedding) and it was so fun to be with them.

We also stayed with good friends (Miriam, my former roommate in DC and her husband Aaron, a police officer who had lots of good stories and their new baby Silas.) Miriam and Aaron invited David's former roommate and his wife and baby as a surprise--we saw a lot of good folks that weekend.
We took our time coming home on Sunday, stopping at Ebeneezer's Coffee house and remembering all the times we had in the city, and then went to the Botanical Gardens, the National Gallery of Art and had a late lunch in Georgetown.

Hm . . .I have more to add, but I'm working with Picassa and not sure how to do it . . .to be continued 

July 4 Pics

A few July 4 photos I thought worth sharing. Simone & David and boys came over for homemade Root Beer Ice Cream and kid-friendly fireworks on the back porch.

Matthew and Harry:

Matthew made my initials - very romantic. :)

The M Clem: A Post in Pictures

Or as Harry calls her, "Marwy Qwement":

According to Matthew (who else?), the Limited Edition M Clem Livestrong Wristbands:

The boys and I made this Rocky Road cake on Sunday for Mary Clement's birthday & they brought it to the hospital on Monday; you can somewhat see her monogram on the cake in the middle; Jackson then decorated around it in M&Ms. . .

The socks I wore through the surgery (it's cold in there!) from my Meme, whom Jackson calls "the Meme in Mobile":

Mary Clement was considerate enough to arrive bearing gifts for her birthday party. The boys each got a pair of handcuffs, gun w/ holster, and a superhero t-shirt. Notice Jackson's joy in particular. Good job, Mary Clem:

Sally and Paula joined Sarah and Meme in the caravan to Texarkana:

Mary Clementine with Mary Clement:

Simone & David (sons David and William) spent July 4 weekend in Hot Springs and came to the hospital on Monday on the way home to Waco. Simone was there when Jackson was born too:

Essie with grandchild #7! Lord have mercy on this woman this summer!

First bath blues:

7 lbs. 9 oz. (1 more oz. than Harry; Jackson was 6 lbs 14 oz.):

These are way out of order - us before surgery:

This Texarkana water tower made me happy every time I drove by it - "Texarkana is twice as nice". I like the fact that Grandma Bone taught school in Texarkana - a connection to her other paternal great-grandmother:

June Family Gathering

A random assortment of the best pictures from mine and Sarah's cameras; hoping you can download from these. If not, let me know which ones you want and I'll email them.

Harry says goodbye to all of you - we miss you!

Dave and Lynn and babygirl to come:

Sweet William:

A cute one of Sophie:

Keri & Lynn at Garvin Gardens:

Uncle Dave with the cousins at Garvin Gardens; Jackson, Sophie, Harry, Benjamin:

And William exploring on his own:

Uncle Matthew & cousins still at GG; Jackson, Harry, & Benjamin:

Hiking the mountain across Amity; Harry, Matthew, Jackson, Sophie atop Cody, Keri:

On the way to that hike, Jackson, Sophie, Benjamin, & Uncle Dave:

On Mt. Nebo - Sophie and Emma, Sophie w/ curlers placed by Meme:

Emma on the Nebo porch:

Making ice cream on Nebo:

Still on Nebo, Emma sitting atop her cousin to come:

A day hike on Nebo:

Eating the aforementioned ice cream, Harry, Sophie, Jackson:

Back in Hot Springs, Uncle Dave reading to the cousins as life happens around them:

Meme, Lynn w/ Emma, David, Harry presenting, Susannah:

Meme preparing for family photos:

Everyone minus a sleeping William:

Capturing the 3 girl babies of 2009:

And the cousins! Sophie w/Emma, Benjamin w/William, Jackson & Harry: