Capsons on a Hot Tin Roof--Days 1&2

I told Ryan that our lawn makes us look like white trash. He moved it all into the back yard. Much better;) Hopefully he will have this done within the next few weeks. I just know somebody is going to ask if we are opening our own home improvement store!

Friday we started putting the new shingles on our house. Ryan's dad and his brother Shay came to help out. Ryan is already worn out and they were just getting started:)

Seriously. Does anyone else see a problem with this? Who thought that giving Ryan the nail gun was a good idea? Notice that you can't even see Denis & Shay. Smart guys. I am teasing, Ryan. We know the only thing you can't be trusted with is a subwoofer!!

This is the back of our house at the end of day two (Saturday) They made some really good progress. All they have left to do on Monday is the really steep side of the roof. Break out the rock climbing gear. Really.

Proof that Chase really does work...sort of.
Just kidding! You were a great help.

Shay showing off his pythons. Lucky to have them; the bundles of shingles aren't exactly as light as a feather. I think that is the part that is really kicking everyone's behind.

Before the guys even got started, Elliot felt the need to help out with the paint. I think it's funny, but I didn't spend three days painting either. Sorry, Ryan! At least he caught it while it was still wet and he could wipe most of it off!! He'll just have to add this to his list of touch ups (and make sure the paint can lid is on tight next time!)

Home Improvement

So...we are in the process of painting our house. Of course when I say we, I really mean Ryan. I hate painting and it was his idea. I am also not fond of climbing a ladder, and someone has to watch the boys! Most of our neighbors think we have made a vast improvement and like our color choice. The neighbors next door (who do not like us at all--the feeling is mutual) think it looks hideous. I will have to post a picture of our house before; it was long overdue for a makeover. Now when I drive up in front of it, it takes me a few seconds to realize that it is our house. This weekend Ryan and his dad will be redoing our roof. It will have black shingles, so it will really look like a new house when we are finished. I will post more pictures when that happens. Ah--the fun of Do-it-Yourself home improvement. We should have stock in Home Depot and Lowe's.

It has been ridiculously hot here the last few days (89 yesterday), so we have been spending a lot of time outside. Elliot would live ouside if we'd let him. He is outside by nine most mornings, and usually doesn't come in until after seven. I try to keep him inside for a few hours when it gets really hot; usually we end up watching a movie. He says, "I can know how to start it and push the numbers." He is three and can use our entertainment system as well as I can. I thought I had a few more years before he was smarter than me! :)

I mowed the lawn today. Big deal, right? I don't think I have mowed the lawn since we bought the house. I don't think Ryan trusts me to do a good job. He's been so busy with painting that I threatened to hire one of our nephews to do it, but today I told him if he would get out the lawn mower, I would do it. I put Gabe in his bouncy chair and brought him outside and Elliot got his little lawn mower and followed me around. I only mowed over one tulip and that was because the grass was so long that I couldn't see the leaves. It's been a few weeks since the last mowing. I was feeling ambitious and was also going to use the weed whacker, but we didn't have any string for it. I can't stand the look of an unfinished lawn for too long, so we will probably have string by tomorrow!

Since Gabe's favorite thing is to get up at six (yes, AM) and eat and then stay up to play, I am going to bed now. Stay tuned for updates on our ongoing projects!

Get the Party Started!

Confession: I have no idea what I am doing. I was starting to get jealous of everyone's elses cute blogs, so here I am. At midnight no less! Who needs sleep? My boys are in bed and Ryan is in Boise for Guard drill, so the house is quiet...for now! I will have to go back and take notes from all the blogs I've visited so that it will look like what I know what I am doing. Until I get the hang of this...

Ryan and I have been married for almost six years now. We have two boys. Elliot is three and Gabriel is 3 1/2 months. They grow too fast! We live in the thriving metropolis that is Pocatello! J/K - we really do like it here. We bought a house just before we had Elliot, and Ryan's mission is to see that he experiences every home improvement project possible. I hate to even paint, so I usually let him go (within reason.) He got his nursing license last year and is loving that. I graduated from ISU with a bachelor's in Music Education, and then went to work for my sister and her husband at their business (nothing musical at all.) I loved it though, and it put Ryan through school. Now I get to stay home with my boys -- although some days I would gladly go to work! I am teaching piano again too. It keeps me out of trouble:)