They're caving in on us!

OK, so the walls aren't falling down, they are being put up. After months of being able to stand at the top of the stairs and see everywhere in our addition, it is different to go up and have the view blocked by some pesky walls. We have a plastic wall at our front door, where the stairwell connects with the house - to keep the dust out during this phase of the job. So now when we want to go upstairs, we go out through the garage and then in the front door of our house, instead of going into the garage and up the stairs.

The new entry to the upstairs.

Leo next to the former entry in the garage.

The sheet rockers came today and hung the drywall on the ceilings and walls for the addition. They worked hard and fast - they are almost done with the upstairs, just 3 small sections remain and then the stairs and garage (then the mud and tape the whole thing). Then we put on a sealer coat and they put on the texture, and then we prime and paint!

Stairway.

Family Room

Shower

Sewing Room

Bedroom 2 (Bedroom 1 looks almost the exact same as bedroom 2, so it doesn't get its own picture, yet.)

Ryan's sister, Heather, has helped us a lot with choosing paint colors to put up there. Here are the colors we're going with:


We'll be renting a paint sprayer to get the job done nicer (and faster).

Wanting to be big...

Leo gargles after brushing his teeth. every. night.

I guess it's one of those things he's learned because he has older brothers...

Demolition

I forgot to mention that I got to wield the Sawzall to demolish the wall in our house leading to the stairs. Sabrina even captured it on video for me. Unfortunately, I just did one cut because it was time for me to take the kids to violin lessons. Our builder got to do the rest.

Pink Lightning

I had never seen pink lightning before.

The kids and I were outside enjoying some late afternoon sunshine, when a cold front moved in and there was a lightning storm. Not just any lightning storm, but a late December lightning storm as the sun was setting. It was beautiful! Usually in the summer, when I see lightning, I grab the kids and head inside -I ended a soccer practice early this fall due to lightning. This time I just had to keep watching it! It was getting darker and colder and I wanted to see just one more pink flash.

We did get inside before the hail started falling, though. Unfortunately, I didn't take a picture and I haven't been able to find one on the web from December 30, 2011, Boise, ID. You'll just have to take my word for it.

Predictions for 2012

Here are our families predictions for the new year:

Roderic says, "Grandma and Grandpa will return from their mission in New York."
Hyrum says, "We'll go shopping for Oreos."
Sabrina says, "I will move upstairs."
Ryan says, "Uncertainty will increase."
Malauna says, "Mitt Romney will win the GOP Presidential nomination."

And here are milestones I think we'll reach this year:
Leo will start speaking in sentences
Hyrum will start Kindergarten and read with the 1st graders.
Roderic will be baptized and join cub scouts.
Sabrina will go to Girl's Camp!
Ryan will hike in the Sawtooth Mountain range.
Malauna will compete on a race walking team. Portland to Coast Relay on Milaka's team with Ryan!