Basketball Court COMING SOON & more light in the dining room!

Just want to make mention: WE HAVE VISION!
So when you see these house photos - we're excited because we are one step closer to having what we hope for from our home.

Here is our new casement window - which adds much needed light into our dining room and gives us a beautiful view as we eat.


Where there was once a beat up "Garage" - we plan to use the concrete floor as a basketball court someday...


We're getting there!

Joe, Megan, Joey and Morgan Schmidt

CUTE KIDDOS!

What a Summer we have had so far! From the Memorial Day parade downtown, visits to the zoo, visits to the park, long bike rides (kids in the trailer behind is getting HEAVIER and HEAVIER everyday!), playing with friends and playing in the yard - these kids have already filled the few weeks of summer with sunshine, fun and play.

Morgan took a nose dive off the new garage floor onto our driveway and left herself with quite a few scratches - after she got cleaned up, she went right back out to the "edge" to try it again - next time, she asked for a hand to hold...PERSISTENT!


This is our Rocky Ripple Park - there are all kinds of fun things to do!
Like ride the "Horsey"




Play in the "HUGE Sand Box" (it's actually a sand volleyball court!)


Or adventure in the "Jungle"


Our front porch swing is lots of fun too!




Joe, Megan, Joey and Morgan Schmidt

We're FUNCTIONAL!

WE HAVE A KITCHEN!
I can bake, boil, wash dishes and place things on counters! WHAT A BLESSING!
My dad and Joe having been working every weekend possible and until all hours of the night to get to this point...and I couldn't be happier.
We are a ways away from being completely finished (tile on the back splash, new sink, new microwave range, flooring, lighting, painting, handles on the cabinets, and couter tops (which will then allow for our double oven and cooking surface to be added and the old white stove to be THROWN AWAY!) But for those of you who know the BEFORE - WHAT A DIFFERENCE!

BEFORE:


AFTER: (and that's not the same window - it's down about 4 feet - the old one was filled in to allow all those wonderful cabinets!





SEE THE NEW STAIRS - My dad did that!


OUR HOUSE WITH ALL THE SIDING ON! (brick to come soon!)


Joe, Megan, Joey and Morgan Schmidt

Blue (Written by Joe)

Below is the first ever blog written by Joe. Good-bye Jack Dog. You are greatly missed.


Blue.
On Tuesday, Jack Dog had his Final Appointment with the veterinarian. I held him and his passing was painless. At least for one of us.
Megan is at her parents for the week and I was looking forward a bit to making some progress on our home demo/remodel/addition project. Thankfully when I got home, no one was there to jump up on me and get my pants dirty. There were no little “presents” left behind which needed cleaned up. My dinner meal was not rudely interrupted by a head placed on my leg with begging eyes. The UPS man delivered a package to the neighbor, a dog walked by, a car door closed - no accompaniment of loud barks. On my walk, I passed other people walking dogs without the discomfort of having my arm pulled while holding a leash. While working on my project, I could leave the door open while carrying supplies from outside without worry of the dreaded “escape.” No one stood on the drywall while I was measuring and cutting. The evening ended with a song and a beer. Tonight there was only one singer. Lager was Jack’s favorite. I sat (un)comfortably alone in the Blue Chair. He did not lick any tears.
This was pretty much the worst evening ever.


Joe