Our Wonderful New Deck

Scott has made two new great additions to our home this summer. First, he built a TV stand, then a few weeks later, he built a deck. As with all his building projects, these two were a Moore family affair. We don't have tools at our house, so all the portable projects including Eli's bookshelf, train table and the TV stand were built in Dendi and Bapa's garage with Bapa and Uncle Jason's help. Of course, the deck had to be built here, but it was still a family affair. Scott and Tom bought the lumber on the last Sunday in June. Then, Tom and Diane came over on Monday and Tuesday evening after work. They are so wonderful! Diane even brought us all dinner so that I wouldn't have to cook for everyone. On Tuesday evening, Andrea and Jason came by to help, too.

Here's Eli helping Daddy drive in a few nails.


Here are the four Moore males at work. Notice Eli wearing his Bob the Builder hard hat for the occasion. He's an absolute Bob fiend, so the prospect of "being on site" in his own back yard was exciting. Although, he's still not a fan of the loud power tools.


Here's Auntie Andrea holding Keira and demonstrating how the women helped with the job -- childcare.


Here's another shot of Keira and Andrea. It looks like Keira might be looking for some num nums. On Tuesday evening, Andrea, Eli, Keira and I went for a walk. The walk served a few purposes. It got Eli away from the loud power tools, we walked to a park so that he could play and we got Mommy some exercise. Of course, Andrea and I had a chance to catch up as well. On the way home from the park, Andrea tried holding Keira in the sling for the first time. We were approaching Keira's witching hour, so Keira started crying. Eli asked if Andrea could give Keira num nums. I told him that she couldn't, because she had never been pregnant. Then, he asked if Auntie Andrea was pregnant with baby Jason. Needless to say, he's a little confused about all of these relationships and pregnancy.

Another cute, confused thing along the same lines that he said to me a little while ago was when we were cuddling at bed time. He said "Mommy I love you, you're my husband." I told him that Daddy's my husband. He said, "Daddy's your husband, and you're my husband." At least he understands that a husband is someone that you love. :)


Scott, Tom and Jason took a night and a half to put down the support beams. I was so surprised to find them putting down the decking on Tuesday night when we got back from our walk. Then, Scott spent a day and a half screwing down all the decking boards. It went amazingly fast. Here are some pictures of Scott and Eli drilling. Eli slowly got used to the sound of the drill, and even brought out his own drill to help.



On Wednesday morning, while Scott drilled, Eli, Keira and I visited with Paula and Hannah Church. I taught at Eastside with Paula. Hannah was dying to meet Keira, she loves babies. It was so nice to spend time with both of them. Here's a sweet picture that I got of Hannah holding Keira.


Finally, when all the work was done, we invited Scott's parents over for a Thank You Barbecue. Here are Keira and Eli engaging in two of their favorite activities on the deck. Keira is sleeping in her swing. These pictures were taken at the beginning of July. I've been worried that our swing days were over ever since the Lake House. Fortunately, thank God, she's now back to sleeping in her swing again, at least once a day. My arms were getting tired and my nerves were getting frazzled from holding her all day long. Right now, she's actually asleep in our bed, which is a huge improvement. Until just recently, if I tried to lay her down in there, she would wake up the second I left.


Here's Eli doing one of his United States puzzles with Dendi. His U.S. puzzles were his favorite toys this summer until the Lake House. Since we've been home, he's more interested in playing on his new deck with his parking garage, playing in his sand box or his pool, or reading books.