Greetings,
My grandfather passed away a few months ago, and with the inhairtance, we've decided to put on egress window in the basement, so the older two could move into their own rooms. This way, they will have another exit, just in case of a fire. It's a little more than half way done, the hole has been dug, the cinderblock wall cut, and the window put in. Might just be finished off on Monday, but Tuesday at the latest. All four kids are excited to get their own rooms. The older two a bit more, but still, the younger ones like the idea of being able to keep the older ones out of their rooms. :)
These guys are doing a really great job. They are keeping it pretty clean in their little tarp room in the basement, and with the area they are working in being tarped up really well, we're really not getting any mess anywhere else.

However, when they had to cut up the basement wall, we needed to be out of the house. It's quite loud, but also, the dust from that is pretty bad, and as I have pretty sever asthma, and the oldest, second youngest both have it, and the littlest has mild symptoms from time to time, we really couldn't be here. So, we popped into the car, and headed for a Motel 6 Thursday morning (they weren't sure when they would get to the actul sawing, Thurs. or Fri.). Made sure it had an outdoor pool (less expensive) and had a great time. The only real draw back was with taking our two dogs with us, we had to have someone in the room the whole time. So, my 15 year old son, who HATES swimming, stayed there with him while I watched the other three swim (i don't swim either. Fear it). He was fine with it for the most part, he got to play his DS while we were out, and watch cable. Things I don't let him watch with the younger two around. (I am more flexable as they get older, they need to learn to make choices, and things like tv programs are a good way to teach them how to - I could do a whole post on that) And since we don't have cable at home, it was an even bigger treat.

Heading out there put the travel bug in me again. I want to take the kids on a road trip. The old fashioned kind. Where you pick a destination, just jump in the car, and take a few days to get there, stopping at all the interesting places along the map, like the state parks, zoos, and the world's largest pretzel! I guess I'll have to try to set aside some money and try to plan one for next summer. It'll be the last family vaction before my oldest legally becomes an adult. (NEXT summer that is)

Blessings - Ahtena