Conference Weekend

These post may be disturbing to those potential visitors out there. Visitors beware... we WILL put you to work. And both sets of grandparents can vouch for that.

We were lucky enough to be joined this conference weekend by both my parents and Shaun's parents. Unfortunately for them... we had unfinished projects leftover from this summer that HAD to be done before the snow falls. (Which here in Montpelier could be anytime now...)

First and foremost. We ripped out the back steps because they were rotting and starting to fall apart. So not safe. But- because Shaun was gone so much this summer working for his dad- they just never really got put back together again. We had all the pieces. Just never enough time. So- my dad and Shaun got working on this and after a few hours- it was done! We had stairs and a railing! So talented.

Next! We had a ton of leftover sand from when we put in the stone patio earlier this year. So rather than let it just sit in the garage and take up someone's valuable parking space (*cough* MINE!). I attempted to put together a sand box made from leftover brick. It was okay. It kind of served its purpose. You could at least tell that's what it was supposed to be. But the bricks wouldn't stay standing up. And the boys kept moving them. So... Enter Papa Orllo. Orllo brought some big wooden posts with them when they came, and he spent the afternoon cutting and putting together a sand box. Kudos Orllo and Jacki (his faithful helper).

And finally... The men put their heads together to figure out how to put up a safety gate above the stairs. We have an unfinished basement- so that the bottom of the stairs is a whole lot o

f concrete. Not much of a plush landing if Ryan were to take off down the stairs. I kept envisioning a lot of blood and a smashed head. So- sparing the rest of the graphic details that keep playing in my brain... the men got to work and got it set up for me (and my peace of mind).

Finally- the work was done and it was time for dinner. We went over to Nora's Diner (home of the world's best onion rings), and had a yummy meal (of course- doesn't it always taste better if you don't have to make it?).

We are so grateful to Grandma Janet (she kept things going this weekend), Grandpa JB (for his expertise in building steps), Grandma Jacki (for helping me clear out the garden), Papa Orllo (for his unparalleled sandbox building skills), Shaun (because I KNOW you didn't want to do any of it), Ty (for all the help on ALL the projects... and some that weren't on the list) and to Ryan (for being SUCH a good boy through all of this). I love you all!!