Deck Done?

Or so I thought...

Mike came over on two separate days to finish the deck pieces that the inspectors had issues with. One day was spent fixing the steps so they were all 6 1/4 inches - really, we measured them. The next day, him and Jon installed the hand rail. The inspector came by today...

IT DIDN'T PASS AGAIN!!

I'm not going to say anymore - I'm too upset. I'm ready to tell Brooklyn Park to bite me.

We didn't fix one of the items that was on the previous inspection record - making the stair stringers less than 12" apart. All we had to do was put some blocks between each to make the distance shorter. We fixed the railing, but they still don't approve of it. I don't know why they are being so picky.

It looks like a perfectly good railing to me.

Role Reversal

Yesterday Jon went with his grandpa and picked up two more shelves for in the basement. Our shelves were getting really cluttered so we needed to spread stuff out. I didn't expect to come home and find everything neat and tidy put away. I think someone is nesting...

MN Zoo Babies

Yesterday I went to the MN Zoo with Jodi and the girls, Carrie Atkinson and her family, and Jodi's brother Tony met us with his daughter Elara. We had a lot of fun. Time went by really fast. Before we knew it the were announcing that the zoo was closed. We were all taking photos so check out their blogs more more pics.

Jodi and Gracie looking at the sheep and lambs.

Carrie and Kylie also looking at the sheep and lambs.

Brianna Leigh - such a happy girl!

Gracie wanted to pet the moo cow, I had to give her a boost. I'm not great at the one arm holding a kid and angle photography.

We took a "train" back from the farm. Great Grandma Iris held Brianna.

I did take a few photos of some of the animals too.
The prairie dogs are always so cute.
The tigers make for great photos - plus they were my HS mascot!

Free Dog

The past three days Polly has gotten into something that is edible. Two of the times it wasn't her fault, we should have known better. But today didn't make sense.
Day One: she took the foil from the recycling (it had the burgers in it from the BBQ) - our fault.
Day Two: she got up on the dining room table and slurped up the beef broth that was in a crock pot and ate a bowl of potato chips - again, our fault.
Day Three (today): she chewed up an empty container that once held dog treats. Then while I'm in the bathroom (maybe 2 minutes!), she went into the garbage in the bedroom and took out a plate.

At first I thought the incidences were because she is hungry or bored because we aren't home. But then to come out of the bathroom and find her doing it again. I really have had enough. I feel bad about it, but I think we will have to start locking her up when at work again. I don't know if this will help her "acting out" while we are home as well.

She was doing so well.

Breaking in the deck

So it's not quite approved yet, but we decided to have a BBQ anyway. I love entertaining, but I am realizing now that it is a lot more work when you are pregnant. It didn't help that Jon was at work all day when I needed to be setting up. Margaret and Mike came over early and helped get everything (tables and food) setup. Jon came home pretty early actually and good thing, because Mike and I could not figure out what screws needed to be switched out on the grill to get it working. While they worked on that, Margaret and I got the food ready.

We started a little late, but that was okay because most people didn't show up right at 5. The grill is together and getting prepped with oil.

The tables are set. Funny what you can do with some random chairs, a couple saw horses, and a broken outdoor table top.

The party goers.

We played some games inside once it cooled down outside. Next time I would like to have a fire.

4th bedroom

We had an egress window installed. We now have a legal 4th bedroom. This will be my craft room. I can't wait to move everything in. The inside still needs to be finished, but the outside looks great. There is so much light in the room now, it will be great for crafting.