It took a potluck with a few 6’+ tall friends for us to start to realize how cramped and dark our kitchen really was. Therefore, utilizing some 3D home design software, we came up with a scheme to raise the ceiling another foot, put in new wood floors, build new cherry cabinets, get new countertops, and buy new appliances. Even with the fancy design software, our major overhaul took a few twists and turns for the better with a beautiful engineered Koa hardwood floor, vaulted ceilings, better lighting, and a new and improved dining area. We’ve done every bit of work ourselves and over the last two years we’ve turned our kitchen and dining room into the highlight of the house. The project isn’t over yet, and the arrival of our little rug rat has put our priorities elsewhere, but progress is still taking place with each new cabinet door and drawer. Hopefully we’ll have it complete before we hit the 3 year mark!
Here’s a look at the initial tear down to putting up the drywall.
View of the kitchenA look at the back side of the arch with extra bracing and channel to hide wires
Before picture of dining area3D home design software look at the new kitchen layout3D home design software version of the new bar layout looking from the dining room into the kitchenThe "Mama to be" taking up the old linoleum with a heat gun and a scraper...fun stuff!The point of no return!!Tom tearing down the drop-ceiling drywallTom taking down the wall cabinetsA look at the new "ghetto-style" kitchen door to keep the dust in and the cats outA look at the drop-celing debacleA look at the vaulted ceiling rafters as Tom tears down the rest of the drop-ceilingThe cleaned-up ceiling with electrical rats nest diverted into new junction boxesThe drop-ceiling on the north end of the kitchenTom putting in place the new ceiling raftersHexus checking in on the progressHanging new batts of insulation in the middle of the winter...no more freezing hands when pounding nails!The happy couple (yes we're smiling) decked-out in their insulation hanging garbMaria cutting drywall panelsTom hanging the panelsTom taking a break for a little snackBefore picture of the wall separating the dining room and kitchenAfter picture - we now have a spot for our new bar!Before picture of the entry way from the dining room to the kitchenAfter - an arched entry between the two roomsA look at the back side of the arch with extra bracing and channel to hide wiresTom constructing the soffit for the bar lighting and HVAC ductworkTom finishing the custom ductwork installationTom installing the soffit drywallTom finishing the drywall and recessed lightsTom posing next to his new best friend...the drywall panel liftUsing the panel lift to place drywall on the vaulted ceilingA look at the finished drywall
It’s a tradition to go down to Dry Canyon and shoot while all of us are home for Christmas – especially if one of us got a new gun!
Joe and his new pistolTommy and Joe squeezing off some roundsJoe testing out his gun while Scott watchesHunting for brassJoe and I smilingJoe getting some rounds off with the shotgunScott getting western with his six-shooter
With our discovery that we would soon be joined by a new baby (in eight months) and my completion of my master’s degree, we decided that it was the perfect time for us to take one last big vacation and visit a number of climbing venues, my dad in MT, and a couple other destinations on a last hurrah of freedom! We started our massive roadtrip in Los Angeles with a visit to Magic Mountain, then continued on to Bishop, CA for some bouldering and camping. Next, we stopped at Yosemite National Park for some hiking and sight-seeing, followed by overnights in Reno, NV and Boise, ID before spending some time with my family in Missoula, MT. We took a few days to visit our favorite cabins near Glacier National Park, though were rained-out each day so we never entered the park (hence no pictures). Finally, we wrapped-up our trip with a tired day-and-a-half of bouldering near Salt Lake City, UT before coming home.
Here’s some pictures from Yosemite and our drive up to MT. Some of the highlights of this trip was a small hike through the giant redwoods and our witnessing the near demise of two climbers on El Capitan as a huge TV-sized boulder was accidentally kicked free above them and missed them by no more than a few feet!
Our lovely campsite within Yosemite National Park before the 100+ campfires were started-up that nightThe majestic El CapitanA view from the base of El Cap - you may be able to make out a few climbers about half-way upMaria adding some scaleClimbers repelling down after nearly being killed by a TV-sized boulder that had cut-loose above them missing their heads by a mere 5 feet!Maria the "tree hugger"!Nice cones!Tom standing on a giant sequoia logOne of the few sequoia tunnels that were carved out in the early days of the park for traffic to drive throughMaria spooked after hearing strange noises eminating from the hollowed-out trunk behind her...luckily it was just some crazy tourist taking pictures and not a black bear!
Our next highlight was our 14 mile trek up to the top of Half Dome. It sported some amazing views and very cool rock, but it was a very LONG day and the huge elevation gain took its toll on our knees and legs…I don’t think we’ll be repeating this one any time soon!
Posing in front of Half Dome the day before our hike to its summitAnother view of Half DomeMaria stopping to enjoy the view below Half DomeAt the headwaters of one of Yosemite's beautiful waterfallsYogi bear's rival for picnic basketsHalf Dome hiding in the treesGetting closer to the domeAlmost to the fun part: a push to the summit with only two cable ropes and some 2x4s for traction!Stairway to heaven...though it was hell getting up them!Maria taking a breather half-way upHalf Dome summit - with crazy onion-like layers of rockThe happy couple - happy to finally be at the summit!The obligatory summit poseBack down we go!The not so happy, totally sore couple after 7+ miles of hobbling down a never-ending series of steep switchbacks!Gorgeous view of Half Dome and parts of Yosemite ValleyA happy pose infront of our conquered nemesis!
Following our adventures in Yosemite, we drove up through Reno, NV on our way to MT and stayed the night in one of their casinos that obviously hasn’t been rennovated since the 70s!
We couldn't resist taking pictures of our gaudy motel room in Reno, NV!Absolutely love the awesome maple burl dresser...who said disco was dead?!
Our second destination on our big trip was Bishop, CA. This is one of the premiere bouldering destinations in the US and hosts the Buttermilks and Happy/Sad boulders (among others). After a day of testing our mettle in the Buttermilks (and getting sorely shut down), we had a bit more luck with the Happy/Sad’s. However, our fingers were so sore from the sharp granite of the B-milks, we couldn’t make it more than a half day :(. Oh well, we’ll be back!
The expecting couple taking a time out on their crash padMaria working on a large pock-marked boulder problemVictory!The beautiful Sierra Nevada mountains overlooking our campsite outside Bishop
On the way back home, after visiting my family in MT, we stopped by Salt Lake City for a day-and-a-half of bouldering in Little Cottonwood Canyon. Even though we had a guide book for the area, we had no clue what were good problems and what weren’t. Thus, we spent over a half day looking for boulders that ended up yielding little in the way of good climbing. Go figure, as we were leaving we saw some locals working a few lines and joined them for a really fun problem…guess we need to scout or beta a little better next time!
Maria working a boulder problem in Little Cottonwood Canyon outside Salt Lake City, UTMaria working the ridge with the killer toe hook!Maria throwing for the finishTom working the direct route
The previous owners did make a mild attempt at landscaping the front yard, but between a half-dead tree and tons more gray pea gravel, the place was in definite need for a face lift. So in the middle of the summer (thanks to an anxious wife), we embarked on a major brick walkway/driveway extension, planted a new tree, installed irrigation, built a small retaining wall and planted shrubs. Through all the sweat and hard work, the difference is amazing!
Before picture of tree and pea gravelBefore picture of tree, cactus and river rockNo more crummy tree...or pea gravel!Ready to install the walkway extensionStarting to put down the cement layerTom spreading out the cementTom installing the border retainersStarting to take shape!Tom smooting out the sand layerAlmost done!A look at the finished walkway and the decorative planters with irrigationA look from the frontThe finished product..complete with new tree, potted plants, decorative rock, and retaining wall with shrubsFinished view from the frontView from the sideView of the vine-covered wall
