The First Round

We headed to Modesto Friday. Joshua had a ticket to see Solace and Amari in the Nutcracker. He went with Dave, Gayle, and Joy that evening, but not before playing a few rounds of Go Fish with Mary.

Early the next morning, we headed to the storage unit to start getting things out. It was cold, but the kids were excited to check out the trailer.

They also enjoyed bundling up for a snack and watching the progress.

Gayle brought us baked oatmeal for a hot breakfast, which was much appreciated.

We loaded two trucks and trailers and got a lot of the stuff from the unit.

Photo: Heather

Back in Visalia, we had a fresh crew to help us unload.

Complete with a cheering section.

Photo: Heather

Week Two

We had a lot of help during our second week of renovations and made a lot of progress.

We switched two lights and one fan out for three light and fan combos.

We took out the linoleum in the kitchen and hall bathroom. Some parts were easy, but in most areas the progress was slow. 

Everyone got a chance to help remove linoleum.

Micah started trying to get the grout out of the kitchen counters, but that ended up being even slower than expected.

The kids had a ton of fun with Natalie.

We started touch up painting, and there was a lot.

In an effort to avoid removing the grout, I deep cleaned it instead and was impressed by how much better it looked.

We got the new flooring.

At the end of the week, we pulled the carpet out of the dining room. It was exciting and a big relief that both the carpet and pad pulled right up.

 Unfortunately, that day ended with the discovery that the paint I used to touch up all over the house didn't quite match. The color seemed right, but the sheen was off. So I went back to Home Depot to get a new batch.

Tree Decorating

We got in the holiday spirit decorating the tree at Mom and Dad's house on Sunday.

Isaac made eggnog, an essential for good tree decorating.

 The Nickells also brought their new puppy, Hatch. Mary and David enjoyed letting him lick their hands and petting his back.

Let the Renovations Begin

We had a few things we wanted to do to the house before moving in, so we jumped right into renovations on Saturday. Michelle and the kids brought over lunch stuff and we had a picnic in the dining room.

Dad and I started tearing out the linoleum in the laundry room. We took it out of the laundry room, kitchen, and hall bathroom, and it was quite the project to get it out. 

We had lots of help.

 Sometimes maybe a little too much help, but it was a great start and we were excited to get moving.

Getting the Keys

After just 22 days in escrow and less than a month after meeting Wayne for the first time, he gave us the keys to our new house yesterday afternoon.

The Nickells and Trevinos came over right away to see the house and party. They brought a plant and sparkling beverages.

We didn't have a bottle opener, so it took a little effort to open the sparkling cider, but then we enjoyed a festive toast.

Puddle Stomping

Mary and David love playing in the rain and in the water left from the rain.

Play Time

Family Project

 

Uncle Terry and Aunt Alma came for a few days and one of the projects during their visit was putting together our new grill.

David found a new place to hangout in the bookcase.

Christmas Cheer

The kids and I helped put up Christmas lights, and Mary climbed a tree for the first time.

It was a Kerr family project making shortbread cookies this year.

 Mary was excited to eat the special cookie she made herself.