Bathroom repair

We noticed that our master bathroom shower was leaking, so while we were getting the kitchen redone, we asked the contractor to see if he could fix that. Well, one thing led to another and we're ending up having to replace most of the bathroom. We had always suspected that the contractor who had worked on our house prior to our buying it was an amateur. Now we know for sure: we've got leaking pipes, fixtures that are improperly vented, and our toilet is mounted too close to the shower -- and sitting on a section of the floor joist which the contractor just cut away.

Look: our kitchen is gone!

The kids wander over on day 2 of the remodel to survey the remains of our kitchen.

Kitchen remodel underway!

After 6 years of planning and procrastination, our kitchen remodel is finally underway. Hurrah. See more pictures at Smugmug.

As I'm told is typical, the first few days moved quickly because they were demolition oriented. In one day, they basically gutted the entire existing kitchen. The contractors did a pretty good job of keeping dust out of the rest of the house while they removed the existing cabinets, countertops, appliances, flooring, and plenty of other stuff...

Rocky beach

When the weather cooperates, we do a quick pit stop at one of the many beaches along Highway 1 on the way home from Easter Retreat. Katie hopped out with me (typical!) while Colin waited in the car and Cameron snoozed away. Katie was especially excited about the beautiful rocks, though she did complain about how the waves were "too noisy." :-)

Greetings from the foosball table

I've managed a pretty good smile despite the fact that my feet are cemented together...

Light sabers for everyone!

I have to say that I'm somewhat relieved that Katie is not a big fan of dolls. Not to say that she doesn't like girl-y things like Care Bears and Disney princess outfits.

But she does live in a house full of boys, which has tempered her tastes for all girly things somewhat.

Here she brandishes her favorite birthday present, Obi-Wan's lightsaber. Now all three of the kids can wield their own lightsaber. Colin, I think, still thinks they are "life-savers".

(Cameron had quite a moment this morning watching Katie open the box. He was frantically trying to get first dibs.)

Clowning around...

Poor Katie's had a cold sore on her inside cheek which kept her moaning through much of the night. But thankfully she seems to have had a speedy recovery as this picture attests.

It's hard to believe, but our little girl is 4. We decided not to throw a birthday bash this year, but she did quite enjoy cake-and-candles with many of her friends at yesterday's BFAM meeting.

John and Amy kindly hosted again. When we told her the event was going to be there, she declared, "I love Uncle John and Aunty Amy's house...it makes me feel so purple." New Katie-code-word for "I like it!"

Cameron and Kathryn enjoy a break from their vigorous playing at ah ma's house.