New Mantle

Papaw and Uncle Hoss trying to figure out how to attach the beam onto the fireplace as a mantle. 

Starting to chisel the back side of the beam so it would fit over the 2x4 that the old mantle was attached to. 

The new mantle is a beam from Uncle Chuck's old barn.

October 24, 2012

Evan was reading a book to Mamaw. 

Grant was hanging out on Mamaw and Papaw's bed in the middle of the living room floor. 

Grant and his little giraffe. 

Lots of Firewood

Papaw and Daddy cut down a big dead tree. 

Another dead tree that needed to come down. 

Daddy cut down another big dead tree. 

The fallen tree down in the ravine behind the house. 

Moving the Big Rocks

Painting, Painting and More Painting!

We had to borrow my uncle's scaffolding to paint on either side of the fireplace. 

Aunt Tracy took a break from painting upstairs in the master bedroom. 

Painting the hallway towards the boys' bedrooms. 

Painting behind where the oven will go. 

The back family room (play room) and hallway leading back to the boys' bedrooms. 

The Back Patio Demolition

The previous owner knew that he was going to lose the house and wanted to make sure that he left the place in shambles. Apparently the back patio was a beautiful place with hundreds of brick pavers surrounding the pool, lighted landscaping, and a full outdoor kitchen. When we purchased the house, however, there were remnants of what it once was, but it was all too torn up to salvage. We had to tear down what was left behind and pretty much start from scratch. Thank goodness my parents were able to bring their Bobcat up to help with the demolition. 

Papaw and Uncle Hoss getting ready to take the pergola down. 

Hooking a chain around the post of the pergola. 

Trying to lift the pergola post out of the ground. 

The pile of brick pavers, wood and other materials that were removed from the back patio area. 

Grandpa Schnittker and Papaw worked hard at removing all of the brick pavers that were left by the previous owner. 

Loading the pavers into the bucket of the Bobcat. 

Unloading the pavers and piling them up. 

Nick got to drive the Bobcat because Uncle Hoss had to go to the hospital after he crushed two of his fingers between the Bobcat bucket and a big rock. He ended up getting 9 stitches in his finger! Poor Uncle Hoss! 

Evan helped Grandpa Schnittker shovel the fine gravel that used to be the base under the brick paver patio. 

More shoveling

Papaw took a break from all the hard work outside to hold Grant. 

More shoveling. 

Evan thought that he needed to help Daddy drive the Bobcat. 

The piles kept getting bigger and bigger. 

They were able to get a lot of the fine gravel out to make room for a new deck to be built. 

Most of the brick pavers were removed. 

The nice tracks that the Bobcat made in the yard.