Our getaway weekend.

Our morning greetings from the hotel and pool staff.

Greetings!

I haven't posted in a while, there hasn't been too much to report. We've been hanging out in FL keeping busy with our property and enjoying the summer. Unfortunately, we haven't had the RV out in a while, but we hope to make a few trips in the fall. We recently had the opportunity to enjoy a weekend in Lake Buena Vista for work, yet we found plenty of time for some fun. We stayed at a Hilton very near Disney. Alas, we did not visit any parks. We have seasonal tickets and they are blacked out for the summer. We did manage to visit Downtown Disney and had plenty of fun enjoying the hotel amenities, mainly the pool.

The kids are getting ready to start school again and we are looking forward to some cooler weather. We love it here in FL, but boy, it sure can get HOT. We hope to have the RV back on the road in Sept. and are looking forward to some short trips.

Welcome Sasha!

We recently added a new addition to our family. Sasha is a 5 month old terrier mix we rescued from the local Humane Society. She is loving, playful, active, and relatively well behaved. She is getting along well with our other dog, Kasey and the kids are enjoying her a great deal. She is a very good fit for our family and we are so happy to be her forever home. We have only had her a few days and we already can't imagine life without her.

Dad can dream about a Kubota tractor, for now a drawing from Kelsey will have to do.

Happy Father's Day!

Father's Day 2010 began with a hearty breakfast and hugs. Dad got a picture of what he really wanted, but was very happy with his weather station.

Helping Out.

What a relief it is to have kids old enough to help out. Tim is happy to help out mowing the lawn, and Dad is happy to let him.

Landscaping

We have begun landscaping. Grass is beginning to fill in the bald spots. We planted 2 palm trees and several varieties of perennials focusing mainly on our entrance and around the RV. On a recent trip to GA we brought back several bulbs and plants that will spread quickly such as Daffodils, Day Lilies, Hydrangeas, Hostas, Irises, and Lambs Ear. We hope to have lots of color by next summer.

Earth day project.

On Earth Day, Kelsey planted her garden. We had begun the seeds indoors and it was time to get them in the ground. Dad helped with the ground preparation and made the rows. Plants have been in the ground for several weeks now and are doing well. We are looking forward to enjoying fresh fruits and vegetables this summer.

Progress on building #2

Building #2 is almost done. The kids helped their Dad with the finishing touches. It needs a door and a floor, but that won't take long and it will be ready to move in the tools.

The kids have been a big help on all the projects around here. They have been painting, nailing, drilling, digging, and much, much more.

Even though they complain about it while they are doing it (isn't that the teenage way?) I think they really feel proud of what they accomplished when it is all done.

So, kudos to the kids and Robert on a job well done.

Happy Birthday!

We recently celebrated our son's 16th birthday. Where do the years go? Happy Birthday to the most amazing, wonderful, fantastic, handsome, and creative son in the world. We love you kiddo.

Building #2

With the help of our truck and everyone present, the walls were raised and building #2 stands. About 1/2 finished, the four walls are up, roof beams are in, and the door is framed. In the next few days the roof will be put on, the floor will be installed, and the rest of the plywood will be added to the walls. Things are moving along nicely and we should be able to use this space very soon. Just in time for our next job coming up in June.

Getting ready for buidling #2

Next the guys prepared to build the second building on our property. The ground was prepared, footings were poured, and walls were built.

Help from a friend.

Recently our friends came to visit us in FL and spent a some time helping out at our property. First, machines were rented and grading was done. A lot of dirt was moved around and dust was stirred up, but everything is more level and when the grass grows back it will be really nice. Next we had some road base gravel brought in to make our RV site and a driveway. Right now it's a bit of a mess, but progress was definitely made and I am confident that things will improve soon.

Taking a break.

We recently took some time away from our property to visit with our friends from Illinois. A week in Clermont and four days at WDW was just what we needed. Our friends had endured a long winter up north and we were looking forward to spending some time together as a family upon Bob's return from a business trip. We had a fabulous time and enjoyed sharing this visit with friends who had not been there before. We alway enjoy our Disney visits, but this time is was special seeing it all again through a newcomers eyes. We hope to make the trip with them again some day.

Happy Easter!

We want to wish everyone a Happy Easter. We hope you are spending the holiday with your loved ones. We also hope that everyone is enjoying the beautiful Spring weather. We have been seeing some pretty hot weather here in FL lately, and loving every minute of it. Looking forward to meeting up with our good friends the Shermans next week and spending some time in the Orlando area and, of course, WDW. We hope to start traveling a bit more really soon.

Happy Birthday!

Our baby is a teenager today! Happy Birthday to the most beautiful, amazing, wonderful, caring, creative, smart, and loving daughter in the world! We love you sweetie!

Still Moving Along.

We are still making progress on our FL property. The kids painted the well-house. The storage building was finished except for siding. Robert had to go out of town for 3 weeks on a business trip, without us :o( , so he will finish up when he returns.
So, things are going well, the weather has been really nice, and we are enjoying our land. We couldn't be happier with the progress being made.

The large shed/storage building.

Next up is the larger shed/storage building/office. This building will be used as our office until the largest building can be started. That will probably be later in the spring. In the meantime, we hope to be working out of this building by next weekend on some sign stuff. There will be room for a desk, our large printers and other sign materials.

Considering he just began working on it Thursday, I think things are moving along nicely. If you know Bob/Robert, you know that he will not rest until it is done. He has been working about 10 hours per day to get it done.

Progression

Things are moving along nicely. Robert has been building away. Last week he completed the well house. It still needs paint (the kids will be helping with this as soon as it gets a little warmer) and a few pieces of hardware, but for the most part it is finished. Good thing, because we have still been having some cold nights (what's up with that?). Tim has been a big help to his dad. He has been a gopher mostly, but whatever his dad needs, he is right there to help out.

Mother/Daughter weekend.

I recently took some time away from Live Oak to spend a weekend in Kissimmee with my Mom and Kelsey. We picked my mom up at the Orlando airport and checked into a motel. Mom had come to FL to see a cheer leading competition involving my niece, and to see us. We shopped, ate out, managed to fit in a day at Epcot, and attended the competition. I have never seen so many teen-aged girls in one place. WOW!

A fun weekend was had by all. It was nice to get away and do something fun, I am getting serious hitch-itch. We hope to be able to be back on the road with the RV some time in April. There is still a lot to do here, but it was nice to get away for a little bit.