Football!!

Update

Emily started band camp. Practices ran all day long and three hours in the evening. She got quite the farmer tan, but has enjoyed seeing friends and having something to do. She has an intense performance schedule ahead, with events almost every weekend for a couple of months. Avritt likes playing football with pads and a helmet. He couldn't wait to tackle someone! Isaac starts swimming lessons next week. I need a taxi service.

School starts next week Tuesday for the kids and my high school job. This week has been crazy, though, because my college classes have already started. I am teaching 3 college classes and 2 high school classes. I will have a full schedule this semester. The kids aren't sure they are ready to start school, and I feel the same. We had a great summer, though, and while transitions are difficult, we are thankful for where we are compared to last year.

Mike loves his job and is performing excellently there. If you want the juicy details, you'll have to talk to him. Ask him about cyber crime and a recent conference with tech. directors across the state.

Isaac turned 7! He and three friends went to a local indoor play arena and had supper and cake with ice cream. He did have fun despite his dubious expression.

Our silly cat.

Mike and Avritt at a Tigers game in August.

Kitchen Progress

The new stools are great! The kids can sit there and chat when I am working in the kitchen. It will be where homework is completed once school starts. The wood is oak, but the stain matches the kitchen cupboards exactly!


This picture shows the cupboards across the top of the windows. We have installed clear glass in the cabinets on the side of the windows. I will eventually make stained glass for those cabinets.

Kitchen Progress

Mike has been working over the last few days and has finished hanging all but 3 of the wall cabinets. A lot of them don't have the doors on yet, but it's amazing what a difference they make in the look of the kitchen. The cabinets on either side of the windows will have stained glass in them. These pictures truly don't do the room justice. It's easy to see all the things that aren't done, but the potential of the room is becoming clear. It's going to be a beautiful kitchen!

Together in Centennial Park, Atlanta, Georgia

Georgia Aquarium

Centennial Olympic Park

This picture is a large area where fountains shoot up randomly. There are lots of kids playing in the water.

Atlanta Skyline

World of Coke in Atlanta

Working Cooktop

Working Sink

Morning Pictures

Countertop Installed!

I love the countertop with the cabinets and hardware that we have chosen! The countertop is Silestone (crushed quartz) and the sink is black granite. I am really pleased with the results. We are getting closer and closer to the kitchen being done! Several things still need to be completed on the island. The lighter wood things under the countertop in the first picture are wood supports called corbels. They will be stained to match the cabinets. Also the picture shows the back of the island, which is not yet finished. The gap between the cabinets will be filled and then the entire back of the island will be covered with slate squares to match the entryway. To the left of the drawers on the island in the first picture is the bare wood side of the cabinet where the cooktop sits. We have a panel that will cover that up that matches the cabinet doors.

The last picture shows the new sink. We can't use it for 24 hours, so Mike will hook up the plumbing tomorrow night along with the new faucet. He will also be able to hook the cooktop back up, so we will back in service for cooking.

These last several months have been a test of patience, but it has been worth the wait.