I know Bill said that from here on out progress would be slow... but these 2 guys are cruisin' on the roofin'!
I took the crew to Fort Foster in Kittery Point for the day and it was lovely. The park was very busy since it was a holiday, but we layed out on the grass and moved down onto the sand as soon as we could!
Wes had such a great time in the sand and water. It was about 80 out- warm but not too hot, a real perfect beach day. The water was cool, but of course Olivia ended up diving in head first! I think the girls enjoyed the activity, and I had a fun time watching them all- the one eating sand, and the ones catching crabs with boys. Wait- that didn't come out right.... well, you know what I meant!
I can't wait for more summer days- Westley is going to have so much fun this year. I think he might be the perfect age for all these adventures. Wait, maybe 14 is the perfect age... 
Mom and Dad are taking all the big boys to Conway for the rest of the weekend; they are very excited to get up there and get to Story Land! Jayson wrote a very sweet card for Olivia- he obviously worked very hard on his letters, and was very proud to give it to her. It said something about him loving her, her loving him and them being best friends and playing together... very sweet~
These glasses were in one of the bags from Grandma Houston- Wes had to try them out!
Happy Birthday Liv!
Yesterday I went with Billy's 3rd Grade to the State House and Museum. It was a fun field trip- we saw a lot of very neat things, and learned a lot about the state capitol.
A trip the kids won't likely forget either~ on the ride home a boy threw up on our bus, then down the road a ways the other bus blew a tire and we finished the trip with all teachers, chaperons and the entire 3rd grade crammed 3 and 4 into a seat on one bus!
After Dad and Bill worked this weekend, we had the basic structural supports for the roof up. All of the floor joists for my small loft space and the rafters were in place plus all the strapping for the roof to sit upon. It was a major visual difference- here you can see the rear elevation.
How dare Bill drive thru my arena! This space to the left of the barn will be my most favorite place on the property I think! I should easily have 60 X 120 for riding and I am thrilled. Getting them cut was the first step. The trees will now need to be limbed and hauled off for the guys from the mill, but it was good to see the job started. The stumps may prove to be a little more of a challenge- Bill had all these pines down in just a few hours! He did manage to drop one on the back gate trying to avoid felling it onto the stone wall. The gate is smooched but the tree is blocking the opening, so the horses cant get thru... so I'm fine with it this way! I'll just have to add a new gate to the materials list. I think it is fun that we will be using the lumber milled from these trees for the interior walls in the barn. I hope it gives Bill some comfort that they didn't fall for nothing!
I was warned that after today progress will seem slow. The major projects with the most visible differences are done. From here on out, its smaller, slower more tedious jobs. I told Bill I really don't care- I'm thrilled with where we are at already! 
This past week Savanna and Billy had their spring concert. Savy played her drum in the band, and sang in the chorus while Billy played the recorder and sang with the 3rd grade. The school used the High School auditorium, and it was so much nicer than cramming into the gymnasium! We were proud of their musical performances~ they both did so well!
The gurters and floor trusses are all in and they were starting the strapping that will support the metal roofing on the back side. The stalls are all laid out and Ive got at least a load of stone dust into and level in each one. A few of them have settled and had another scoop put in. I think the next step is finishing up the strapping than the roof goes up! The rear portion will have a small loft, so the rafters need to be done there... but it's coming along!
I think you can really "see" now what things will look like- on this side it will be an aisle to the left, and stalls on the right. I think the first stall will be my grain "room" and then on the back end it is aisle on the right of the picture and stalls on the left. These stall are "tiered" and we still have to play with the grade; there will be a slope to the aisle. I'm hopeful I can coax Bill into cutting some trees soon so the arena work can begin!
Our front yard (well, backyard really, but that's beside the point) is blooming with dandelions...
Savanna has been helping Wes learn to pick lower down on the stem, not just ripping the heads off
Now, tell me this: what is better than a fist full of flowers from your baby?!
On Mother's day Wes had his first real ride. I finally got a helmet for him, so he was able to walk around more than he has in the past. Usually we just sit him on horseback and hold him there, but on this afternoon he was able to get in the saddle with me and walk down the driveway! Bill held his leg and Savanna (paparazzi) and Billy walked along beside us; it was fun. He was trying to hold the reins and was very cute! Beau was a good boy, even though the black flies are ferocious! I'm sure there will be many more (he was on Squeeke later in the week too) but this was a ride to remember!
Here are a few of my favorite pictures from today... did I mention I took 224 of them?!
The barn addition will sit along the back side and back gable end of the existing shop/barn. We are adding 7 new stalls (I'll have 9 total) with a T shaped aisle. The shop will become hay storage, as we are not going up 2 stories. I can't wait to have a cozy spot to tuck everyone into when the weather is gross, and Bill is thrilled to pieces at the idea of a flat, level spot to shoe!
After the trees were down, stumps and rocks removed; we began on drainage! One of the things I hate the most in barns in mud! I can't stand a muddy door yard, and stalls need to be high and dry! The building lot is on a slope, and I do battle mud and much back here, so Bill was careful to address the drainage. I hope all the time, effort and $$ pay off~ I want a mud free zone around the barn!
I have to admit, that having this space is thrilling me to pieces, but the prospect of starting on my arena space is what I'm most looking forward to! I can't wait!! We have been looking at portable saw mills to have someone come on site to mill up the trees we will drop for my riding arena- then we will use the boards for the interior of the stalls! It's looking like a wet week, so I don;t know how much we will accomplish (and my back is acting up again) but such is life when its a "do it yourself" kind of job~ I'll keep you posted...