Basement Carpet Is In

We love the carpet in the basement! Lowes came out and installed the carpet on Thursday. We had a scare because the carpet installer guy said we did not order enough carpet. Turns out the measure person did not measure it right, so it was not our fault. The carpet installer guy went back to Lowes to see if he could get more and they unrolled what they had and it was JUST enough!

It really makes a huge difference. The boys have spent the whole day downstairs playing and running around today. Lee hung the panel door on the sump pump closet today and he has to finish putting up the baseboard. He is also going to paint the moulding and doors white.

We are now saving to buy a drop ceiling to really make it look "finished". I have been sorting through books and toys and putting some of them back out in for the kids to use. All of the stuff went to the storage side of the basement so the carpet could get installed. I am only putting out some of their stuff because it is just too much for them to deal with at one time. I will rotate it every so often and then it will be like all new toys every few months.

We are going to buy another portable heater to set down there since there is only one vent blowing heat into that side of the basement. It really isn't too bad since the TV area is right by the vent and we set up one heater already near there. It is just a pretty big room and another heater on the other side would be extra nice.

I hope the boys enjoy it. Thanks Mom and Dad Daney and Herman for your Christmas and birthday money towards purchasing this carpet! We love it!

Welcome Home Ceremony

The soldiers arriving

Lee with Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur

Soldiers in the school cafeteria

A family reunited

Lee organized a welcome home ceremony at Lake High School for the local soldiers returning from Iraq. Here are some of the pictures he took from that day. Welcome home and thank you.

Quote of the Day

As I am changing my very wise two year old son's diaper today he ever so seriously tells me, "Careful, Mom, don't get your fingers in the poop." Great. Thanks for the advice. Maybe if you would adopt a new found interest in the toilet I would not have this problem to worry about.

Christmas Evening

Great Grandpa Rob with Sam, Caleb, Daniel and me
Caleb enjoying the snow man

Jeana liked it too

Cheryl with Stephen and Cathy Great Grandpa Rob looking at his photo frame

Aunt Janet and Grandpa Bob Cousins Blake, Jessica, Lindsey, Clay and Drew

Stephen

Cousin Ryan, his girlfriend, Lisa and Daniel

Cathy and Daniel

Grandma Mary and Daniel

For supper we went over to my Uncle Tom and Aunt Janet's house to visit with the extended Daney family. Lee stayed home because Joah was sick with strep throat, so just Daniel, Sam, Caleb and I went. The food was delicious and it was nice to visit with everyone again. Sam and Sara had a blast as they are good buddies. I enjoyed seeing my grandpa again. He got a digital photo frame that was already loaded with pictures for him to see.

Christmas Morning at home

Christmas morning we opened up presents from Santa with the boys. They got a lot of nice gifts. Caleb really liked his Lego Star Wars kit. Sam looked so cute in his Batman costume. Joah prepped for a career in fast food management. Daniel was adorable for his first Christmas. He had fun opening his presents. Lee got a nice book from Sam that Sam picked out all by himself. I got some new Polish Pottery bread plates. Then we had a delicious breakfast together and relaxed for the day.

Cookies 4 the Big Guy

We listened to my favorite childhood Christmas record, The John Denver Muppets Christmas album as the boys got cookies and milk ready for Santa. Sam particularly liked the 12 Days of Christmas song and sang it quite enthusiastically. They made sure they picked out just the right cookies for Santa. They ended up choosing the Christmas tree cookies our friend, Angie, made from the cookie exchange. They thought Santa would really think they were nice and remind him to put the presents under the tree.

Danny Boy

My little Daniel is growing fast. He is a sweetie. He has one tooth in and a second about to pop through any day. Daniel is crawling all over the place like a pro. He is starting to pull himself up onto the furniture now, too. I think he sort of is starting to say bye-bye and mama. He is making the sounds like that when he sees me and when we wave to him. He's just a genius, what can I say?

Caleb's Christmas Program

Caleb was an adorable angel at St. Jerome's Christmas program. He would not sing at first, but then eventually decided it was OK. Joah made sure he got a good view of all the activities. Grandma and Grandpa were there and I am SURE they enjoyed every minute of it.