SUMMER FUN

1)Britten plays captain of the ship at the play ground; 2) Although sleepy, Hailey enjoys the swing; 3) Three generations of Hallfords; The kids played at the park earlier this month. Laci's grandparents happen to live next door so she and Mike came over an played with us for a few minutes. Oh yeah, Mike had a little girl last weekend too. We heard everyone is doing well. I believe her name is Sophia. Congratulations on being a big sister again Laci.
There isn't too much new at the house. We're still waiting patiently.

The kids continue to grow and entertain us. They each have colds right now. They slept pretty sound last night so maybe that will help. We've all been going through a lot of change lately. They kids are such troopers! Take care everyone. Come visit!

BIG JACK

Well, Jackson is in the animal hospital again. His stomach just doesn't work right. On Friday it bloated up so much that his lungs were compressed and he couldn't breath. So, back to the emergency vet. They punctured a hole in his side to relieve the pressure and then he underwent surgery to reposition his stomach in order to prevent recurrances. They also noticed a lot of 'junk' in his stomach and have put him on some drugs to try to stimulate his stomach activities - like digestion and purging. If the drugs don't work, then they can do some exploratory surgery to figure it out or we can just bring him to the vet every few months when he's ready to die again. We are supposed to get him back on Monday. What a bummer.

All else is status quo. It's beautiful weather here and there isn't anything worth complaining about. Keep Uncle Dean in your thoughts.

ACTION

I found our camera and am finally able to get some pictures out to everyone. I continue to be amazed at the rate destruction can happen. I believe we had our first inspection today. The old foundation has been removed in the kitchen and dining room. All excavation is complete for the new footings, new sewer and new portion of the home. Chris thinks that Monday is pour day. I don't think we'll be having a pour party - at least I won't be there if there is one. Picture 3 above is our backyard where we used to have a patio, arbor and lots of vegetation; this will be part of our new kitchen and dining room. Picture 1 is the current state of our kitchen looking out into our dining room and den since that wall has been removed. It used to have cabinets and an oven and stuff like that. Picture 2 is our living room. That is the woodstove insert and refrigerator against the wall and our new sewer line going through the floor. WOW!
Oh yeah Par, I saw your message about Mexico and think it's a great idea. But, we have 3 school teachers in the family and will have 3 - maybe 4 - school age children next year. I'd like to make sure they'd be able to make it. Know what I mean? Otherwise, I'm in. We'll start saving now.

Chimney in the Grass

I took the kids by our 'old' house today to see the remodel progress. Britten's comment was - 'Mommy, Our Chimney is in the Grass!'. He's correct. The work officially started Monday. Our kitchen has been completely torn out, the den/dining room wall is gone, the chimney and fireplace are gone, the outside patio and arbor are gone and the flooring is gone from the living room, dining room and kitchen. We have reached the point of no return. I anticipate that they will begin the forms for the new foundation tomorrow and maybe pour early next week. This means we'll be looking for framers soon.... Any volunteers? Dad, Simon, Joe, Ben, Nathan?????? It's quick and easy work. You can crash on an air matress in the living room. We still have running water and power.
There were no eggs in the chicken coop when I went by today. Either the girls are on strike or something or someone is helping themselves to the eggs. Oh well. We're at Chris' parents house if anyone needs to contact us. Oh yeah, I'm not sure where we packed our cameras so no pictures until I find them.

FACE IT

Aunt Par put in a special request for a face picture. I can't readily find one of Britten where he's not being a goofball but found a pretty decent close up of Hailey at Grandma's house. Here's to you Aunt Par. Go 80's.

MOVING OUT

Well after many moons of thinking, talking, hoping and saving our remodeling project is finally beginning. The diggers are coming on Thursday and they hope to have all the foundation and demo work done within two weeks. Then we can begin framing and so on... Which also means that we're moving the family out to Chris' parents for a while. We haven't decided what we're doing with the chickens yet. Britten is pretty excited about getting a new house but Hailey doesn't seem to have a clue.

Speaking of the kids, Britten had surgery yesterday to insert tubes into his ears to hopefully prevent infections. He's had three ruptures in his left ear due to stagnant fluid in the inner ear that just won't drain. He's doing great and just loves his new ear plugs that he wears at bathtime. Hailey is beginning to use words but they are still few and far between. She's a little bugger though. She's got such a temper.... I just can't imagine where she gets it from. She's also the biggest sweetheart. I was in St Louis for a week and she gave me the biggest hug when I got home. It was the best.

Here's a quick peak of the kids checking out the cows at Uncle Don's ranch last month. They want to go back.
Oh yeah, Happy Birthday to Ben (I totally forgot to send you a card but I had a great conversation with a man who lives across the street from Soldier Field. That should count for something.) Birthday wishes to Uncle Justin. Happy Anniversary to Paradise and Justin and to my Husband!! Happy Graduation to Psalms and Happy First Day of Kindergarten to Preston! Take care everyone!