A summer of Hammer and Nails

This summer has been full of home improvement projects. We did a lot of the work on our house including shingles, paint, install of cabinets, trim, tile, and vinyl. But was that enough construction for us? Oh no. Jon and Carrie remodeled their bathroom this summer as well. It was nice to take a break from my projects and help Carrie out with her projects. She was so helpful with the nail filling and caulking and painting in Gunnison. So we extended the skill developing party to her place. We gutted the bathroom, threw all the stuff off the porch, and started from scratch. We built new walls, cemented in the new tub, installed new flooring and sub flooring, rewired, put in an exhaust fan, (The Jaussi's attic is a place I would be glad to never go into again) put in a toilet, installed a door, put up trim, sheet rocked, and other odd and end things. Heather came and helped us one day which was really good bonding for us handy girls. Carrie has finished up the painting and hardware, and now has a nice new bathroom.

My brothers were a great help this summer as well. Joe and Daniel were the shingle kings, Daniel threw up the cabinets like it was the easiest thing in the world, and Jon provided much needed moral support and humor. Thank you so much everyone! Thanks also to Karma and Becky for taking the kids so we could work. We are so blessed to have such supportive and loving family. That is really what it is all about. Love you all!

Jon, me, Dad, and Heather.

Joe is so great. He always has such an upbeat attitude and great work ethic. We couldn't have done the shingles without him. It was good to have and excuse to make him visit. ;)

I felt triumphant after installing the vent through the attic and roof. It was SO hot up there I was dripping. Not so glamorous, but I was proud of myself. So go ahead and stink it up guys, because you have air flow!

Carrie had so much fun learning that she could do things. She is an empowered woman now. Yes that is a sledge hammer, and she knows how to swing it.

Thinking through the wiring.

Just the guts after ripping everything out.

What a summer. And just a side note, Heather and Joe built a huge deck and playhouse at Heather's house in Canada, and Daniel ended up building a fabulous garden shed for his parents. Everyone has been busy with their hands and power tools this summer. Hopefully our ambition will keep us young.