Might be overload on the pictures

Just getting started painting the house - May 2014

This was the second section we did.  The scaffolding was great.

This was after I couldn't stand watching Scott on the ladder on the roof any longer.  We rented the cherry picker.  I felt better.  Before we had rented it, we had added an extension onto the brush and were trying to reach the top of the trim above the window.  It was comical and didn't look very good.  This made it look good.

The ladder on the roof was used to paint the side of the second story eave.  It would lay on the roof which was too steep to step on and he would just use it for footing.  The scaffolding was up one more story than when we painted the garage.   It seemed pretty dangerous to me.

The after picture.  It looks beautiful.  Probably hard to tell but Scott really did a good job on it.  And we can tell a huge difference.  Never again.  I have learned that I don't want another two story house that requires painting or a house with a lot of trim.

Vicki and Lynn came out for a weekend and helped us get started on the yard.  Lynn and Scott worked on the stop and waste valve, finding it and fixing it while Vicki and I had fun planning.  Sorry to say this is where the yard work has stopped.  We haven't had time to get back to it.  

In May I went back and did some grandma time in Boston.  No sightseeing other than in Harvard Square and some good food and walking around Harvard and visiting Walden Pond.  Just got to play with Addy.

We got to have everyone in Vernal in July.  Had a great time.  Red Fleet Reservoir.  Loved the paddleboarding, especially Brock in his levis.  Addy loved the water.  Hard to believe in May when I was in Boston she wouldn't even sit down in the bathtub.  She screamed. 

Family fun with the Burts on July 5th.  Brad built a large Kerplunk game.  Didn't get played much but we'll use it some time.  Took a family picture that turned out pretty good.  We're a casual crew, no matching outfits or anything here.  This was even taken after the kids had been swimming.  We missed Jeremy and Mackenzie and family and Brett but were grateful for all the others that made such an effort to get there.  We have an awesome family.  Celebrated a little early Mom and Dad's 60th wedding anniversary.  They've done good.

Gettysburg

Wright Memorial Park

Flew to Boston for our 6th and maybe final time.  We got to move Bryce and Alicia to North Carolina.  Scott and Bryce worked their tails off and probably 5 pounds of water (sweat and humidity) loading the truck.  Had a great drive the first day.  Got in a traffic jam just before the George Washington Bridge in New York - 40 minute for 5 miles.  I loved it!  Went on to Gettysburg, Pennsylvania to spend the night.  Scott and I did a quick tour of the battlefield.  Hard to believe so many lives were lost in this one area.  Shoved Addy in the bathroom in her pack 'n play to get her to sleep for the evening because we were all sharing one room.  She fell asleep well and had to bring her out a little later when we were all ready for bed.  I think she had a long night.  The next day it felt like a quick drive to Durham.  Scott and Bryce again worked hard to unload the truck and then we spent a day trying to get a few things unpacked.  Scott and I headed off to see some new country.  Went to Kill Devil Hills in the Outer Banks and saw the Wright Brothers memorial. Went to the beach and did some swimming in very warm water.  Gorgeous beach.  Then to Currituck Lighthouse and climbed to the top. 

On to Bodie Island Lighthouse.  This is a national park and the ranger did an good tour.  Again climbed to the top.  That same day we decided to head south on the Outer Banks and take a ferry to Ocracoke Island for another light house.  We waited for about an hour and a half for the ferry to take about 36 cars for a 40 minute ferry ride.  

Ocracoke Lighthouse.  The National Park Service owns the island except for Ocracoke Village.  Lots of shops, restaurants.  Had some great food at Jason's and then got back in line for the ferry back.  Not a very long wait for the return trip.Ocracoke Beach.  Miles and miles of it...

The next morning we made a stop at Cape Hatteras Lighthouse.  I never thought I would make it to this lighthouse, never thought there would be a reason to be in NC.  It is a very massive, impressive lighthouse.  You can see me at the bottom.  Another hike to the top.  Three lighthouse hikes in three days.  My legs were doing pretty good by the last one.  

On the way back to Bryce's we hit Roanoke Marshes Light in Manteo.  That was a beautiful little town.  Then as I'm driving and just as Scott is falling asleep I see a sight for another lighthouse in Plymouth.  Quick detour and we saw the Roanoke River Lighthouse.  It was closed.  I would have liked more information.  It looks like it was moved across the sound onto private land at some point.  

 This was our new best way to travel.  Hope we can do it again!  I think Scott's new career could be hiring him out as a traveling babysitter.  He would climb in the back whenever Addy needed entertaining and keep them both entertained.

We made it to the Durham and stretched our legs while they went and got keys to the apartment.  

Bryce took us on a tour of Duke.  Duke Chapel.  It is a beautiful campus and city.  Can't wait to see more.

Our last night was spent at the Durham Bulls Ball Park.  We took turns taking Addy for walks.  It is a beautiful ball park and only a few minutes from their place.  

 We were glad to be back home but I'm already thinking of planning another trip out.
Scott's workload at work has increased dramatically for the next few months and some of our outdoor projects are going to take longer than we had hoped.  We've started painting the shed.  I'm hoping and hoping that we can make some progress on the yard.  I'm ready for a place to go sit and enjoy.

What a great summer!  Hope to pack a few more fun things in before it is done.

Simba's annual bath.