It is Done!

After 5 years, Dwayne finished the stairs. Years ago, he dug out and poured—with help—6 tons of cement to make the stairs. A few weeks ago, he glued the last tile on and grouted the last steps. Take a look!

What the stairs looked like in March, 2008.

What they look like today!

Dwayne built stairs into the retaining wall around the “First Lawn”. (Technically, it’s our only lawn, because the second tier is mostly weeds and moss, and the third, well, even worse.) Notice the gorgeous detail work on the landing. He worked in smaller decorative tiles to finish it nicely.

Dwayne originally poured the stairs to be equal from top to bottom, but last year, he updated the design to include pillars with lions on top and the wrap-around stairs for the bottom.

The lion on the left is Gog and the one on the right (not shown) is Magog.

Well done, Daddy! We love it!

Piper Sleepwalks

I’m sure she was actually was wide awake when she crawled out of her crib two weeks ago, but she fell asleep over the rocking chair. I couldn’t pass up the photo op, but three or four flashes later, I woke her up. Then put her back to bed.

Jetty Island

I won’t go back and change the dates this time, but we managed to make it to Jetty Island in Everett just a few days before it closed for the summer (Sept. 2, if you want to be chronologically correct).

Kyla and her friend Isaac chased sea gulls all morning. This picture was taken with a zoom lens and then I enlarged, enlarged, enlarged on the computer. They were quite the adventurers!

“We’ve conquered this sand dune in the name of toddlers everywhere!”

“Follow me!”

“Mom, I stepped in something!”
“

The adventure begins and ends with a 3 minute ferry ride. Kyla loves it!

Our Family

Denise got a weekend of renewal when she was able to go on a women’s retreat to Leavenworth, leaving Kyla and Piper home with Dwayne for the weekend.

Before leaving that weekend, we went in for the 20 week ultrasound and discovered that Kyla was right—she was going to have a little brother (even if his name isn’t going to be Sam)! Baby Omega appears to be healthy and perfectly average in every way.

The best part of the retreat was an afternoon of frivolous shopping—all by myself! I found this statue that I loved immediately. And I like the idea of three kids (and only 3!) is now carved in stone on our living room mantle.

Fashion Advice from Piper

If your big sister doesn’t want to wear her underwear and you would like to, simply slip it on over your own outfit.  While color coordination isn’t essential, you will notice the flowered detail work on the the briefs is brought out by the pink pants and satin pink ribbon on the empire waist of the shirt.  The sleek line of the training pants emphasizes toned legs.  The baby doll top is the perfect camouflage for a tummy that likes chocolate birthday cake and cat food.

Dwayne Turns 35!

Our friends, David and Kathy, are visiting us this week, and it turns out the Kathy is a skilled cake decorator, having done it in a former life. She kindly volunteered to make Dwayne’s birthday cake. It turned out great!

The girls approved.

Oops! I only took one picture of the birthday boy! Sorry, Babe.

The Basketheads entertain.