Anyone Need Logs?

Well, I made it back up to Duluth on Friday to inspect the finished driveway and the cleared home site and yard. We have more logs than I know what to do with (than anyone knows what to do with). We are working on creating a total cost for the project in order to get the construction loan going. Then we'll work more on perfecting the home location on the site. We are still trying to stay hopeful for getting in this fall. Keep all of your fingers crossed!

The fall colors up there are gorgeous!

Weekends Crammed with Fun Stuff!

We went to the fall festival last weekend and Maren and Connor got to rock climb. Brendan was too little, but really enjoyed the ladybug bowling, ring toss and bean bag throw.




This weekend Connor had a new cello experience with a SEMSA group practice. SEMSA stands for The Southeastern Minnesota Suzuki Association. He got to do a musicianship class and then play with some older kids. It was two hours, but it went by fast (especially because Bret came to pick up Maren and Brendan after the first hour). Connor then had another cello practice in the morning, which turned out to be over an hour long due to a miscommunication about the practice time.

After getting some lunch, Connor had a soccer game. I think that it was his best game yet. He had four goals, made some good passes and hustled on defense. It was great to see him interacting with his teammates. He has another Connor on his team and they were doing belly slams after each goal.

After the game, we went to the apple orchard and pumpkin patch yesterday, but of course, I forgot the camera. We all did the kid corn maze and Connor, Maren and I braved the adult corn maze. We made it out with no problems. This is the same maze that Bret, Connor and I went to when we first moved here. I remember Bret and I getting totally turned around and I started to freak out. We ended up making our own way out. It was a much better feeling this time around! We all picked apples and ate some along the way. Maren's favorite part was the three kittens that she got to hold. Connor and I also enjoyed caramel apples.

After the orchard, we headed to get tickets to the circus, which was that evening. We went home to get some dinner and some down time. Then headed off to the circus. It was a little smaller than the one that we went to in the spring, but it was still fun. Maren and Brendan rode some ponies, and Connor and Maren went down a large blowup slide. Maren got a butterfly air-brushed on her cheek, while the boys got light up light sabers. We then headed home for bed. Maren woke up not feeling well, but was a real trooper the whole day. The boys played light saber, while I got Maren to bed. It was a long, but fun day!

We've been cramming stuff into the weekends because Bret is on call this month and he only gets one day off per week. His last day on call is Tuesday. I'm thankful that this month went so quickly. We're starting to get excited about our big trip to Walt Disney next month! I definitely remember the camera then. Love to all.

Newest Yard and Home Site Pictures

Ok, so here are the latest photos. Enjoy!

Oh, and while waiting for the photos to be downloaded, I was looking at my blog name realizing that I haven't had to write my maiden name in ages. Weird!

So, I've joined the craze!

Just after checking my friends blogs and worrying that I might annoy people by sending endless emails detailing our Duluth home project, I'm joining the craze and creating my own family blog.

I spent the day recovering after our crazy Wednesday. Our Wednesdays start early for us--6:40am. We wake and I get every one dressed with backpacks ready. I then drop Maren and Brendan off at my mom's (saint!), then proceeding to Connor's weekly cello lesson. After 30 minutes, assuming we get there on time, we head back to Grandma Ellyn's house to grab breakfast. Maren and Brendan get breakfast also while we're at cello and pass the time with cartoons or playing with Grandma's jewelry or her dogs. Then we kid switch and Grandma takes Connor to school and I take Maren and Brendan to their preschool. After school and lunch, Maren and Brendan have ice skating/hockey skating lessons and gymnastics. Connor catches the bus home to a friend's house where he grabs a snack and a little play, then heads to soccer practice. I usually catch up with Connor at practice. Then we head home for dinner. Bret usually joins us when he can. Thank goodness that this is only on Wednesdays! Maren and Brendan have preschool Monday and Friday mornings, but otherwise, we're pretty much free.

All the kids are being sports while I work on coordinating the land/driveway/house project(s). Luckily, we're hired Bob Leith, who I've nicknamed "Bob Our Builder", to manage the project while we're in Rochester. I am keeping him very busy!

I've got a few more pictures of the wood chip and log piles; oh, I really meant yard and home site. I'm hoping to get back up to Duluth next week to assess the progress and pick a spot for Bret's detached garage/workshop/toy storage area. We're still hoping to get into the ground this fall, but I'm pessimistic at times. I'm overwhelmed by all of the components of building a house in the country. It's much more involved than building this house.

I'm off to relax on the couch with Bret. I usually need to get at least an hour of down time before I can head to bed.

Keep posted and visit often! All our love, xoxo.