House O' Sullivans

Saturday night marked a significant advance is the continuing saga of the Sullivan family fireplace.  Casey actually finished bricking up the gaping hole in the living room wall, rendering his masterpiece functional (though still far from finished).  He'd been worrying these four years (since he ripped out our old fireplace and started constructing this one) if his fireplace would draft correctly.  When he saw the smoke rise deftly up toward the damper and out through the chimney, he smiled, satisfied and relieved.  His latest promise was to have this thing finished by June.  One month left.   The mason with his evolving masterpiece. 

I took this picture of Zeke a couple of weeks ago while his sisters were at their Liberty Girls meeting.  We walked to the park for a special mom-Zeke date and he looked so cute in his self-selected ensemble. I gave the kids part of their Easter present before we left to Goblin Valley (two weekends ago)--new Keen sandals.  Their summer footwear was either too small or so junky that I had to do something. Zeke, Sophie, and Hal, sporting their new sandals . . . just in time for our spring adventure. We spent Thursday, Friday, and Saturday of Easter weekend in our beloved Valley of the Goblins.  Mike and Angie had reserved the giant group site for two nights and we were lucky to get a piece of the action.  We packed the group site with nearly 50 people--all friends and family. Upon arrival, I love watching the kids--and all kids do this instinctively--disperse into the surrounding hoo-doos and features that surround the group area.  This place is m...