OK...we know we've been bad not posting for quite a while. It's just that there's a lot going on - moving into our new home (and we're still not totally moved yet!). We've still got boxes and things in a storage area at the old farmhouse we were staying in for the last 6 months. But everything is coming along nicely. The kitchen is all done except for the backsplash. We have a toilet and sink that are functional and the shower should be usable in a few days. Bruce just has to finish the grouting and sealing and install the shower door. Then its on to a lot of finish work.

OTHER GOOD NEWS! Janice is done with school and has received her temporary credential so she can sub for the rest of the school year. She'll be studying for her tests later so she can consider a full-time position in the fall. In the mean-time she keeps busy helping as a waitress at the local coffee and sandwich shop called "The Mustard Seed." The owners would like her to think about becoming a co-owner. We're actually thinking (LONG AND HARD) about that.


Our den



Living Room (note the boxes with the "Bruce" wood flooring - specially made for us of course!)



Janice's beautiful kitchen

Great Christmas!

Janice and the girls

Bruce and Violet goofing off


What a great Christmas. We traveled to Fresno on Christmas day to see the kids and family. Our flight was great - no delays this year (coming or going). Lots of fun with our grandkids Audrey, Isaac and Violet. And, it was great to spend plenty time with Jamie, Randy, Ben and Alli. It was good to leave the ice and snow and experience a good old California Christmas with weather in the low 50's - and almost no fog! We don't know if we'll be taking another trip to California this summer - most likely we'll hook up with everyone in Oregon. We'll see.

In the meantime, we're continuing work on our house. We're just a couple of days (maybe a week or two at the most) from moving in. We won't be completely done - lots of trim and details to finish - not to mention the basement and the outside landscaping - but we'll be glad to be in our new place. We'll post some new pics soon of the progress on the house.

Lot's going on!

Well, it's almost Christmas. We've had a lot going on. Janice completed her student teaching and is officially done with her schooling for getting her teaching credential. Yay! Now she's getting ready to take her tests. She already has had one school as her to apply for a long term sub position. Pretty cool.

We had an ice storm last week that many here are still recovering from. It was beautiful but dangerous. Fortunately, we never lost our power and the farmhouse we are staying in didn't have any tree limbs fall on the house - but a couple glanced off the roof as they went down. My truck would have gotten totaled if I hadn't moved it from under a tree. A branch came down right where it was parked ten minutes after I moved it. It had to be a God thing.

Our house is coming along - we've got our lower cabinets in the kitchen - I'm almost done with the kitchen counter tiling and we've made a lot of headway with finishing electrical (minus a few fixture installations) and we've started painting inside. We hope to be moving in around January 15th.

We hope to see lots of people in California over Christmas time. We'll be flying in on the 25th and flying out on January 2nd.
Beautiful ice!


Janice enjoying teaching

We've Got Sheetrock!

Yes! We've made a huge leap forward with our house. The exterior siding is almost done and we've even begun painting some of it - Although we'll probably not get to finish the outside painting until it warms up. Who knows - maybe Spring!

We've also almost finished sheetrocking. Which means we're days away from starting to paint the inside. Pretty exciting stuff.


A view of our front entry and den from the living room

A view of the fireplace from the living room

looking at the kitchen and dining area from the living room

Outside - what cool colors!

Fall Update

We can't believe its already Fall and almost Thanksgiving. We're thankful to be able to start sheet rocking next week.


Bruce is doing some electrical work getting everything perfect before it gets covered up for good!



We also continued to be thankful for all of the beauty here in Kansas.

We've finalized our Christmas plans! We'll be flying into Fresno on December 25th and return home on January 2nd. So, let us know if you'd like to get together - meet and have a cup of coffe or egg nog or a piece of pie or....

Kansas Sunrise in the Fall

For those of you with a jaded view of Kansas - you know - the Wizard of OZ, black and white, flat dusty prairie vision - I just thought I'd share how beautiful Kansas really is. Here's some pics of a recent sunrise that we watched while eating breakfast the other day.






We also had our first party in our new house. No, its not finished yet (as you can see) - but, we just couldn't wait to begin entertaining! It was a lot of fun. Janice made brunch and we sat around laughing and having a great time.

Our House

OK - Here are a few pictures of our new house.Janice was working really hard on calking the siding to prep for painting, which should happen really soon. We're shaping ground for sidewalks, driveway and landscaping and are hoping to pour some more concrete in the next few weeks too. Our garage door was ordered last week and all the exterior doors should be installed in about three weeks. Lots left to do but we're making progress.