House Projects

Zach and I have had a few building projects planned that we were able to tackle this last week.  I found this idea on Pinterest soon after we bought our house, but it wasn't a priority until now.

We loved the shelves and mounting the TV, but we didn't like the chains.  

We decided to hang our shelves with pipe instead.

We needed a few baskets for DVDs and power chords.  I also had nothing to put on the shelves.  I managed to fill them up without a problem :)

We had planned to stain the wood, but then we decided we liked the natural look of it.

Our next Pinterest project was a coffee table.

We loved this one when we found it.  They had plans that we could follow completely. 

So, here's ours:

This turned out cool, and goes really well with the shelves.  We love the industrial look of both.

 Our family room is now complete!

We love this room, and all the parts that we made ourselves! 

May Phone Dump

Playing at the park

We bought dirt for our garden.  It was delivered to the driveway.  Monroe had a great time getting dirty.

Playing dress up with Grandma

We went to a graduation party for two of Zach's favorite students from middle school.

We got a letter in the mail a few months ago from GM talking about something that may need fixed on Saturn Vues (our SUV).  The letter said that our car could get a cracked wave plate, which could result in us losing 3rd, 5th and reverse.  This sounded exactly like what had happened to us two months after buying this car.  We tried not to get our hopes up as we called our mechanic.  He verified that it was what happened to our car.  His diagnosis, written three years ago, had the exact same wording as the letter.  Again, we tried to stay calm.  We had to take our car and proof of work to the GM dealer in town.  They then sent off for a reimbursement.  Two weeks later, a check arrived in the mail!  

My new running shoes.  I am totally in love with them.

Pitch Perfect 2 with the Lairds

Some bunnies found our garden and ate the lettuce down to nothing :(  We now have a fence.

One Saturday night we invited a few families over to hang out.

We went out as a staff on the last day of school.  I think this is the best turnout we've ever had.

Monroe's last day of daycare for the year

Trying out Firehouse Subs

We went and visited Grandma at the Barn Event in Hastings.  Monroe wanted to wear a hairnet too.

I got this cool table for our entryway while we were there.

Eating S'mores at a friend's house

Playing ladder ball at Zach's cousin's on Memorial day.

We took Danielle out for dinner and dessert as a going away party.  She's not really going anywhere, but she will be at a different school next year.

First play date of the summer.  How many moms can you fit in a sand box?

My Dad's Retirement Party

After 44 years of teaching, 18 in West Bend, Iowa, and 26 in North Platte, my dad decided to retire.  It was not an easy decision for him.  He loves teaching, and he's not sure what he's going to do with all his free time. But, he decided free time is something he'd like to have.  

He planned a retirement party with three other retirees.  

We went to North Platte on Friday night.  We took Monroe out to the Cody Park rides, but it was really chilly.  She didn't seem to mind, but the adults did.

My dad's party was Saturday night.

He had pictures of every year's newspaper staff and yearbook staff.  All four of us kids were on one or both staffs while in high school.

He also made books of each year's Bulldoggers (the school newspaper).  If you wanted, you could read every story written in the last 26 years.

This is a picture of the high school I attended.  It has since been torn down.

They had a great turnout of people.  It was fun for us kids to see past teachers and see students who my dad impacted.

On Sunday after my siblings had left, we decided to head back out to the rides.  They are too cheap to pass up, and she is the perfect age to enjoy them.  They also have amazing ice cream.  

This time the weather was perfect.

On our way back to Grand Island, we stopped in Kearney for supper.  Then I decided we couldn't miss going to Harmon Park.  I love that place.

Congratulations, Dad!  We love you and are proud of you!  Thank you for dedicating your life to teaching!