Papa and Mina's Place

Trusses!

2007-10-25T10:45:00.001-04:00

John has a few days off so yesterday morning he called for a boom truck to lift the trusses up on the garage then James, John and Big John unbundled them and proceeded to get them layed out so they could put them up today. Not for the faint hearted like me to watch. So of course I had to take pictures. John Turner plays in a band and he said he would be singing soprano last night. James got bruised up pretty good but Big John remained unscathed. Tomorrow Eric will be here and they plan to set them. Not sure if I will watch that or not. It will be nice to get some roof going though. The next step is to tear off the existing roof over my family room so I have some packing and moving of furniture to do. Looks like things will start getting messier inside and much smaller for a while.

And the garage begins to take shape

2007-10-25T09:26:00.000-04:00

After several more days of rain the guys were able to begin working on the front of the garage by building the front wall and hanging the header over the new garage door. Big John has been working very long days at the post office in Muskegon six days a week so he hasn't been able to be here much. He is very tired and is working on transferring back to his route in Hudsonville for the duration of this project. As you can see James is beat as well at the end of the day. We have been really grateful for the help of Eric, Chad, John Turner, Trevor and everyone else who has put in hours.

2007-10-25T09:06:00.000-04:00

When we had our excavator dig the holes for the additions we also had him pull one of the clothesline poles out of the ground. What we found was approximately a cubic yard of concrete on the end of each pole. It became a challange first to find someone who could actually tip the pole over and get it to stay laying down because it would just bounce back to a standing position and then to find someone with the determination to break the concrete from the poles. We ended up offering $50.00 to whoever succeded in getting the poles clean and the concrete picked up. Trevor was able to get the poles laying down but Nate was money hungry enough to work for the $50.00. Thanks Nate! The second set of poles we just cut at ground level and will be buried forever only to be found by the next owners and the challange will be theirs to conquer.

And the garage roof comes down

2007-10-25T08:31:00.000-04:00

After several days of rain we were blessed with a couple days of warm temperatures and sunshine so the guys decided to start tearing off the roof of the garage. James did the high work, John Turner did the cutting, Chad hauled away the debris and Big John played supervisor and ran for anything they needed.

Frame and Block, Frame and Block

2007-10-25T08:16:00.000-04:00

The framing continues and the blocking is unending. Blocking is all the little pieces of wood that holds the framing together. I didn't know that, maybe you didn't either. Siding and trim have been delivered as well as our new HUGE picture window. The rest of the windows were here but were delivered as replacement windows instead of new construction windows so back they went for some rework to make them acceptable to our trusty contractor. The guys have also begun sheeting the outside and putting up tyvec (?) - plastic - to keep the wood dry. A good thing since we have begun to have a lot of rain. The crawl spaces and existing basement have flooded once already making for a long ugly night of clean-up. James says he has fixed what caused that so we should have no more surprises there. We really need a roof now but the forcast gives us only a day or two at a time with out rain.

Framing Begins!

2007-10-25T07:45:00.000-04:00

Finally the guys can start framing the master bedroom and then the dining room, craftroom, laundryroom and halfbath. James gave Jeremy a lesson on skating the floor decking into place and Eric worked on his own on the other side placing the wall plate (?) in place. I am learning all kinds of new construction terms, but I am sure I am not getting them all correct, so forgive me if I use them inappropriately. It's good to see progress.

Finishing block and flooring

2007-10-25T07:23:00.001-04:00

The block has been filled with concrete and the floors of the crawl spaces have been poured. Eric still does his fine work with his toungue just as he did as a boy. Jeremy found that the hose really was heavy and James sat on the wall a little too early. Things are moving along, but the weather is beginning to change and rain is in the forcast. Framing is next...come on roof.

Golf Outing

2007-10-01T19:04:00.001-04:00

Home Remodel (cont)

2007-10-01T18:52:00.000-04:00

Block for days, will their hands ever get a break. They all have blisters and mortor burns. I know, comes with the business, they really are working hard. And John's hands are pretty girly now. *grin* They did finish the block. They had a deal that if they finished it Saturday, they would go golfing on Sunday and John would have to go along. Well, they did....and He had to. So I rode along and took pictures for proof. John has always called it "Cow pasture pool" "never saw a use for using a stick to knock a rock down a gopher hole". Well guess what, Mr. "Know-so-much actually likes is and says he wants his own clubs. He had fun. It was great to watch them play and have a good time after several tough days. Today they finished grading and were going to pour the walls and floor of the crawl space, but could not due to rain, so that will happen tomorrow around 2 I believe. I'll try to do better about keeping you informed. Take Care..

Home Remodel (cont)

2007-10-01T18:39:00.000-04:00

With the dirt moved and the footings poured and James seems to have made friends with the guy from the city planners. He was really impressed with James' work on the forms and some cages he had to build out of rebar do to inadequate workmanship on a previous owners addition. Good for us. It's nice to be confident in your contractor. We are now on to the blockwork. Unfortunately the mason is too busy and is unable to help James so he is on his own. Eric shows up a couple of days in and is able to learn so he helps him finish it off late Saturday night by the headlights of Big Blue. John spent alot of time grading shoveling running for block and mortor and running to the lumber yard, calling for estimates etc. The kids moved many, many, many block!

Home Remodel (Cont)

2007-10-01T18:26:00.000-04:00

We've had quite a few people helping out so far. James hires Chad, my youngest daughter's husband to work on Monday-Wednesday as his job is Thursday-Saturday. We have also had several volunteers, Rob, Nate, Trevor, My son Eric, and a few kids that John hired that needed a few bucks here and there. The guy with head and feet in the hole is Chad. Who knew he was so flexible.

Home Remodel

2007-10-01T18:12:00.000-04:00

This summer John and I made a decision to stay in our existing home and add on to it rather than to sell and move on. Mostly by the bottoming out of the realestate market but also because we like our location and we have a great yard for the kids and the 125 mutt John likes to call a dog. So the end of August our friend Tuesday graciously let us borrow her husband James, also John's best friend who lives in California and happend to be a contractor. So James packed up his tools in his rusty (I mean trusty) Blue truck and headed for parts north. I thought for the benefit of Tuesday and her mom Barb who has blessed me so often with her writings and beautiful pictures, I would post some of the progress to date and then periodically along the way. Barb, my photography is no comparisson to your but then again neither are my writing skills. Tuesday, I just hope we get to see you at some point during this adventure.

Peyton's first birthday

2007-09-28T09:47:00.000-04:00

Sunday, September 23, 2007 was Peyton's first birthday. We went over to Eric and Wendy's to celebrate and Peyton was busy giving directions to all, drinking too much as you can see. He had friends everywhere including his best buddy Jarius. And to top it all of he really enjoyed his very own chocolate cake which he totally devoured, and wore of course. Happy Birthday Peyton!

Toothless

2007-09-28T09:42:00.001-04:00

Zander lost his first tooth this very morning. "Mom just pulled it out, it didn't even hurt, not one little bit" He is hoping he has a very rich tooth fairy. Quoted as saying " I think she might leave me a hundred dollar or even a million dollars" Mina, as I'm called, thinks Zander will be buying everyone dinner and a movie if this is true.

Newest Pictures of the Kids

2007-09-28T09:37:00.001-04:00

Cool Dude - Lennon

2007-08-24T15:13:00.000-04:00

Lennon tries on daddies hat and sunglasses for size. Looke like they fit pretty good.

Miss Ellianna & Master Donovan

2007-08-24T14:55:00.000-04:00

Ellianna Grace Sanders is the oldest of my daughter Bonnie. She turned three years old on June 15th of this year. She is an incredibly bright and precocious little girl who I am sure will rule the world one day. And she will tell you that herself. She was talking in complete sentences before age two and I am sure can out argue any politician. She is going to start school (three school) this year, and is very excited about her new backpack, shoes and school clothes.

Donovan is now a year old and is running all over the place. His favorite is to run full blast straight at you and fall into you giving you a big bear hug. You gotta love that. He has the biggest smile you can imagine to go with those big brown eyes.

Little Princess

2007-08-24T14:35:00.001-04:00

Since Zander is spending the rest of the summer with his dad, my sister Lynn has been taking Evelyn downtown Holland on Thursday nights because there are street performers and food vendors and the beloved balloon man. This past Thursday Evelyn decided she wanted to wear her princess dress. She was quite the beautiful girl and made an impression on many shop workers and the beloved balloon man made her not only a purple kitty but also a lovely pink flower bracelet for her wrist. He also provided her with a blue dog to take home for her brother.

Donavan's 1st Birthday

2007-05-22T08:57:00.000-04:00

Donovan Jay Sanders is the second and youngest of my daughter Bonnie and on May 8th he turned one year old. He has the biggest brown eyes you have ever seen and the sweetest smile. With the exception of Isabella, all of my grandchildren were at his birthday party. It amazes me that there are seven of them now.

Papa's Park

2007-05-22T08:36:00.000-04:00

A couple of weeks ago John and I decided we needed something for the grand kids to do in the backyard besides dodge the landmines left by Caleb, our very large Labrador so we shuffled off to Sam's club and purchased a very large puzzle that when assembled became this very awesome swing set / tree house / sand box, rock wall / tunnel / slide thingy. When Evelyn first saw it she gasped and said "Papa! You have a park!" So far they have had a ball on it. The little boy you see on the slide is Caden, Lisa's soon to be stepson. He is autistic and soooooo cute! When he gets to our house he runs straight out the back door and to the slide. Yesterday I was watching Peyton for the day and took him out to the swing because he was getting a little fussy. He fell asleep with in about three minutes. I think I'm going to like "Papa's Park".

What Color Blue Are You?

2007-05-02T12:36:00.000-04:00

You are Ocean Blue

You're both warm and practical. You're very driven, but you're also very well rounded.
You tend to see both sides to every issue, and people consider you a natural diplomat.

What Color Blue Are You?

Loving Little Brothers

2007-04-23T17:05:00.000-04:00

Precious Little Seven

2007-04-23T16:55:00.000-04:00

This is Lennon Earl Berens. Our seventh grandchild. He is Zander and Evelyn's little brother. He was born on April 2, 2007 weighing 7'10" and 20 inches long. He came by C-section, but really didn't want to leave as he was breach and I belive had a hold of mom's ribs with both hands. It took two doctors to deliver him and Lisa lost lots of precious blood. He has had a little bit of a rocky road with suspected sleep apnea and a small heart murmur, but the doctors say he should grow up strong and healthy.

Zander is a big help getting mom diapers and staying close when mom needs a shower. He loves to hold him and watch him sleep. Evelyn's favorite thing to do is get the pacifier when Lennon starts to cry. They both love their little brother and can't wait until he can play with them. I wonder if they will still feel that way when he starts to take their toys........

Who are you calling "Squirt"

2007-03-08T10:48:00.000-05:00

Evelyn is Zander's younger sister and Papa's sidekick. This is the most likely position you will find her in if she is at our house. Since she was old enough for John to consider her "unbreakable", they have been pretty much inseperable. I think if he could, John would put her in his pocket and take her to work with him. Quite often John's ohone will ring and this little voice at the other end will say, "Papa, I go to you house?" Never your house, always you house. We worked on that one, but she is pretty insistant.

One of their favorite things to do together is cook. Pancakes especially. She drags a chair up to the counter or the stove and Papa gets her her own towel or bowl, or what ever utensil is required and off they go.

Peyton's Day

2007-02-19T14:28:00.000-05:00

Peyton is our current youngest grandson. Doesn't he have a great smile? I say "current" because we are due to have another on April 2nd from our daughter Lisa. Last week Peyton was dedicated at our church. It was quite a day. Happily he was cooperative and remained calm and for the most part content during the dedication. Our friend Tory said wonderful words telling us the meaning of his name and blessing his future and the future for Eric and Wendy as parents. Pastor Paul prayed over the three of them. There were others having their children dedicated as well including a very special family in our church that have meant alot to me over the years. They have been youth group leaders to my kids and now are youth group leaders with Eric and Wendy. They have a beautiful daughter, Esther, they adopted from Romania and have just brought home an adorable son, Maximus, from China. He was being dedicated as well. He is such a cutie. They make a wonderful family. It was so good to see them all together. Both kids had little outfits on from China that were so beautiful.

All in all it was a great day. God is so good.

2007-02-09T09:42:00.000-05:00

Zander: A swift moving cheetah spending his fifth birthday at Disney World with his Auntie Lynn. (And quite proud of himself I might add) Zander is our second grandchild and our first grandson. He is the one who named us "Papa and Mina", thus the name of this board.