Room Addition: Framing, Plywood

 After allowing the foundation to settle for a week, the men were back with the wood for framing. 

It was fun watching the first steps of the room taking shape - window openings, sliding door opening, the general size.

We got more rain - the danger of doing a project in winter - and more water intrusion. It was easier to deal with after we decided we weren't trying to keep the carpeting.

The next step involved taking off the roof where the new roof would be tying in to the house's roof. 

Unfortunately, we learned we'll need to replace our whole roof. The original wood shake shingles are still there, under the metal tiles that were supposed to last many decades. But, nothing is supposed to be put on top of wood shingles; they should have been removed prior to the installation of the metal tiles. 

Piles of metal shingles and other roofing material.

Here come the roof rafters!

At this point, we were expecting more rain, with a lot of wind, so Joe the contractor ensured we had heavy-duty plastic tarping over the whole of this side of the house.

Thankfully, this worked! The noise from the plastic sheeting flying around was insane though; I was sure it was going to fly off.

Cora is 18!

 Cora decided to have a few friends join us for go-kart racing at MB2 Raceway, where she also had her 12th birthday gathering.

Joining us where her school theatre friends Mackenzie, Rowan and Lucas. Stacey is joining them in this photo, as they were the group that did two races.

In one of the races, Stace had the fastest single lap time among the nine racers (although is overall average time placed him fourth, just a hair behind Cora). In the other race, with 10 racing, Cora placed best of their group, though behind a few other racers we didn't know.

The kids also played laser tag, and unfortunately Lucas fought a wall, and the wall won. Hence the ice pack and bandage (not shown).

It was actually really affordable to rent the axe-throwing bay, so they had fun with this while they waited for their turn on the racetrack.

Cora does very well at this.

Violet and Stace had a turn on the air hockey table after Cora and her friends.

We then took the kids to In-n-Out for lunch.

In the evening, the family came over for dinner and gifts.

Lucas had given Cora this Disney doll, but Ellie was a more appreciative recipient.

Cora loved these beautiful Celtic-style earrings from Nan and Pop.

Cora's Birthday Morning

Here's our girl with her special 18th birthday gift from us - a medieval replica sword, complete with a hanger and plaque.

It was a gift idea Cora had thrown around - you might say, "brandished" - and in the end, Stace and I went with it. A little unusual, but Cora is a unique individual.
 

Stace knew the shape of the box would give it away, so he made a little game for her birthday morning.

"Dear Cora, Wishing you a happy 18th birthday. Love from Mum and Dad"

Stace enjoyed personalizing this display piece, staining the wood and attaching the dowels and plaque.

Prior to the birthday girl waking up, Stace and I worked on decor. 

Happy Birthday, Cora!

 

Our Cora Rose is an adult! 

We are so, so proud of her, and grateful God chose us to be her parents. Cora is intelligent, incredibly talented and hard-working, loyal and trustworthy. Watching her shine onstage is my greatest delight. We are fascinated to watch her journey continue the next few years in her young adulthood.

Week in Review

 Violet has been sleeping on the living room sofa bed, and we're just leaving it out as a bed as we live in a temporary state of flux with the construction and Vi's bedroom a worksite as well. Evie looked so cute when I spotted her tucked in the other day! Neither girl said they'd tucked her in, so she somehow did it herself.

But this guy...

Not as clever.  Here, he's resting on a weird part of the frame of the couch.

We had more rain, and despite our contractor's best efforts, we still had water coming in. Oh, well, that's what we get for doing a project in winter! At least we were already planning to replace the flooring, and the furniture was out of the way.

Also this week, we had a parent meeting with Cora's theater teacher, about the upcoming district theater festival her school is hosting. I've never attended, as parents don't go, but because we're hosting, Jarod needs volunteers! Yay! Her last festival, I'll be thrilled to watch.

Violet and I got to do the Placerita Waterfall Trail on Friday, and the rains meant there was a nice little stream flowing.

Violet and I also went to the archery range and Quigley Canyon this week for PE time for her.

I made use of my Christmas present for the first time - trekking poles! I wanted these specifically for times when we hike around streams, so I can have more confidence in crossing.

Also this week, Cora finished up her 5-week dinosaur class at the college, to complete her science requirement. She got an A! This was despite some stress with our internet not working well, and she and I needing to spend time at Starbucks to use their WiFi on Friday while she completed a test.

And on Saturday, Stace and I went to the funeral for his coworker, who died from cancer at the age of 47. Sad, but inspiring to hear so many speak so well of this man who loved God, loved his family, and lived life to the fullest. 

Week in Review

Violet and I went out to the archery range and found two deer! The ran off before we could get any closer. Always some type of nature experience out here.

Also this week, we watched a Zoom online meeting at College of the Canyons for incoming students, to learn more about the process for Cora for the fall.

Cora finally returned to Green Tower Games for D&D after a few months off for Wolves rehearsals.

And I got together with Kelly while Cora was D&Ding and Vi was at youth group. We caught up and took a walk. I also visited with my friend Moira, and went to Monrovia to meet up with JT on Friday.
 

Violet started this digital drawing while we were with Uncle Bill and Aunt Patty. When she'd finished, I printed a copy of it to share with them.

I realized the kitties didn't have a lot of little toys around, and thought of getting out the yardstick to check under the stove. Sure enough! Look at all the things Winston had pushed under, out of his own reach!

When I saw them looking under my dresser, I found at least five little toys under there, too.

Stace and Violet went to the monthly car show at the Porsche dealership on Saturday morning. It's fantastic how she has taken an interest in cars! She'll look at his Bring a Trailer emails at night, too. 

And speaking of cars, look at this beauty! I mean, look at that beautiful driver!

Yes, Cora is now beginning her driving journey. Stace took her out this weekend, and she did very well. She's nervous, and very careful. 

On Saturday afternoon, we went to see West Side Story at the Canyon Theatre Guild with Colleen and Rigo. Our friend Coach Greg Hayes played the police lieutenant, and Cora's vocal teacher's daughter had the lead role of Maria. It was a great show!

After the musical, we went to Acton, with them and the kids (minus homebody Cora) for dinner at a Mexican restaurant. It was great to hang out, and our way of thanking Rigo for dropping everything to help us pick up a Murphy bed in Acton the prior week. Gotta treat your friends with trucks well! We'd passed this restaurant on the way to the home where we bought the Murphy bed, which we got a great deal on.