TJ

We were able to spend a few days in Salt Lake and Provo while we were down there.

So I have not been photographing much lately. I think that it has been about a year since I shelfed the camera. I do get it out when I am able to go to Shriner's Hospital with Jess and TJ. A couple of months ago I was able to go with them...and I have not looked (really looked) at the pictures I took there. I kind of like how they came out. I like the direction the images are going.

Clowns from Barnim & Bailey were at Shriner's That day too!

My primary concern (for the time being) is that the images will become too much like snapshots of my kid. I am always trying to think of compositions and emotions that are beyond that of the sappy snapshots or portraits of a parent's child. (I hate sappy photos--yes I have made many myself).

I think that the older two kids like it better when we take them with us...dispite the waiting...

I also forget to photograph TJ more. When we are working and playing in the yard I don't take the time to go get the camera. To add to that, TJ has began to mug for the camera...dang! He has moved from the innocent time when children do not acknowledge the camera, I love that time. I love the genuine expressions, the openness to be themselves, and never..."Can I see the picture?" as they pull the camera from me.

TJ is getting quite agile with his foot. He can get around where ever he wants to...with or without it. It has been really great to see him develop and grow. His prosthetic doesn't seem to bother him at all.

GRASS!

Testing the sprinklers in the front yard.

Friday afternoon Jess and I decided that this weekend would be perfect and the last weekend for us to put in the grass. So I called an ws just able to get our order in (they usually want 24 hr notice). It was delivered Saturday morning and while I was helping with Scouting for Food, Jess and the kids started rolling it out.

The kids would have us load a roll of sod onto the wagon or skateboard so they could bring it to us.

By the time I got home, they had just about half of the front yard rolled out. I was impressed, so we kept rolling it out and we had the front and a good bit of the back done by 1 or so. I called Steve (I work with him) to see if he and his son could come help too. So between us, my dad and Steve & Stevie, we made a lot of progress.

The front yard DONE!

Dad was a lot of help...we were really moving.

When we were just about finished, Topher called Jessica's dad and asked if they would come help too. They got there and helped with about a half a pallet. I didn't think we would get it done, but we did. We actualy ran out of sod (6500 square feet). We will have to go get about 100 square feet or so to finish up a few edges. We are really happy with the grass and very excited to have it in. Our yard won't be a muddy mess this winter and spring, and we won't have to worry about it in the spring.

Now I have a big back yard of grass to mow

...I didn't have to mow a lawn once this summer!

I just have a few adjustments to make on the sprinkler systems and hook up the electronic control box. It has been a lot of work, but our house finally LOOKS like it is finished, and not ALMOST finished.

Ready for a BBQ next summer...who's coming for lime steak and salsa?!?!
...who says we have to wait for summer?

Jessica's Birthday!

Saturday was Jessica's birthday! Whoo Hoo! We started the celebration on Friday by me being home from work at a normal time...isn't that odd. Also, Jess picked up the new minivan (as ours broke down two weeks ago), Her first birthday present for the weekend. Then we had a BBQ with friends (Jake and Kristie Maughn) that live across the street. I thought Hey, what a great time to have cake (when we are more likely to eat most of the cake) and give her her presents. So she got her Nintendo Wii and Wii Fit board and we had to set it up and play it with the Maughns, as they have never played. If you haven't played a Wii...they are fun! And your arm is sore the next day too. Tennis really takes it out of you.

Saturday, being Jessica's birthday, we took the kids to my parents so we could go to a movie and dinner. Now this next part comes with a disclaimer: THIS IS MY WIFE'S BIRTHDAY! So It is about her...and so we picked a movie that she would want to see...so no action or satire comedy. I took her to Mama Mia. Feel free to groan, laugh or sigh. I have to say that I felt a little awkward...but at least I had my WIFE with me, and wasn't alone...that would have looked BAD! When we got into the theatre, (The Centre--a small theatre downtown) there were THREE other guys there, and just about every other seat was filled! I thought of Dwight's line in the "Boys and Girls" episode of "The Office" about getting all those women in the same room..."It's going to wreak havoc on our plumbing." So I did survive the ultimate chick flick and have to admit that I did laugh A LOT, and I do like ABBA music (I do have nearly a dozen of their albums on vinyl--some of you may not know what that is, it's like a big black cd).

I am not really one for musicals--as I am attracted to women--but this one was funny, however I have to point out that I have a problem with the ending. Sorry I am going to ruin it for you here, but anyone reading this is very unlikely to see the movie anyway! At the alter the bride says to the groom, "Let's not get married. You don't really want to anyway. Let's just travel and find what we want in life." Then, later you see the mom and the 3 possible fathers waving goodbye to the non-newlyweds at the boat dock as if to say, "Congratulations on not getting married and have fun fornicating on your non-honeymoon and as you travel around the world!" I paraphrased and took interpreted liberties of course, but that is the just of the story. It was entertaining, and I typically do not go to movies to think of life's big problems (or possible big problems--thank you very much "Happy Feet!")...I do enough of that on my own.

So take your wife or girlfriend to see the movie (at a cheep theatre!)...or rent it in a few months. You will score big points for being considerate and the music is good (Disco will live on forever! HA!). Jess had a fun birthday I think...but you may want to check her blog to hear her side of the story though.

Overnighter with Varsity Scouts

Friday I went camping up near Kelly Canyon with the Varsity Scouts. It was a lot of fun. I took the bus (of corse), and it was nice to have as it was raining when we woke up. We ate our breakfast in the bus...yep we all fit inside.

Friday night was a nice night for nocturnal photography, so I got the camera out. I made one simple exposure, then the young men & Jake (the other leader) were curious as to what I was doing. They were really suprised that I could get such a bright exposure in so little light. So I showed them some other fun tricks with low light and a flashlight. They had a lot of fun, and came up with some really funny and interesting shots. Here's one of all of us. (They were all single exposures, 30 sec each)
Saturday morning after breakfast the rain stopped and the wind picked up. It dried it just enough that we could go climbing and rapelling at Heise Rock. That was fun. It was a long time ago that I rapelled last, and I have to admit that I was a bit scared looking over the edge. The boys did quite good and rapelled weveral times. We also set up a toprope and they did pretty well considering it was their first time and did not have climbing shoes. I also was able to climb. I did a lead on 'Devil and Ms. Jones' (my first lead ever--and one of my favorates), I had to hang on the last bolt to work up the confidence to go up to the chains (it is a bit run out and a tricky mantle off a small overhang). It was good to lead again.

It's getting there

So the job at 30 King street is getting there. They took down the plywood wall in front of it. I thought it looked much cooler.

What a week!

This week didn't start off too bad, I was able to work the normal 8 hour days on Monday and Tuesday...for my day job anyway. Monday night I moved mirrors for Dance Tech (the dance studio that Jess teaches at) until 9:30 or 10. Then I went to the mutual activity on Tuesday night, Wednesday was spent in the shop, but it was a long day fabricating four huge chapel windows for a church in Pocatello. I had to finally take off at 7 so that I could go finish a shower door for a friend. Then Thursday and Friday I spent long days tearing out and installing those chapel windows. Friday we left at 6am and I was pushing the last pieces of vinyl (rubber gasket that holds the window in) after the sun went down...we still had to clean up, tear down scaffolding, load the truck and drive home.

Ahhhhhhh.....the work week was over.....as far as working for Jenkins Glass goes anyway.

Monday morning my Dad and I headed up to Rexburg to install 17 windows in a home there. Not a new home mind you, but we did have to tear out the old windows as well. That job went quite well, we were able to finish it all in one day...one long day! The home owner did not think we could do it, but it is all done. Sweet a little extra money...nope Jess has already earmarked every bit of it...I think she will let me get a soda or two. Ha! yea right!

This has been a really tough week. It is hard on Jess and the kids when I can't be home in the evenings. Maybe having a day off tomorrow will make it up...nope! I am working on the sprinkler system most of the day. Yes more fun for me!

30 King Street

The Tyvek covered wall is only temporary and will come down...we have a lot of windows behind it too.

So this is the job site in Jackson Hole I have been working on for the last while. It seems that we go there for at least part of the week each week. I would like to just hit it hard one week and then come home for a week then back again. But there are other pressing jobs and things at home that we have to divide our time up there. But for the last three days, Steve and I (and a new part time guy, Duncan) were able to get quite a lot accomplished. We set the last frame on the job and the rest of the glass (almost). We are waiting for a couple big insulated units, doors, and operable windows. It is coming along. We do have a lot more to do, but it is good to see it progressing, curtain wall (this is curtain wall) takes a lot of time to install. The break metal trim, surface applied grids and caulking caulking caulking will take a long time. I hope there is no snow on the ground...it really sicks when the caulk is too cold to tool.



Topher starts school tomorrow...his first day of Kindergarten...I must be getting old! We went to back to school night today and saw his classroom and met his teacher. She seems very nice. I like the old school building he goes to. It reminds me of Emerson School that I went to grade school. I am excited for him.

The Pocatello Pump is coming up! We are planning on going...and maybe in the Bus!!! That is what the kids (and yes even Jess) want anyway....OK so me too.

Busy working

The past weeks I have been very busy working in Jackson, Bozeman (a day or two I think) and here in town. I am very tired.

Redfish Lake

Last week (July 21-25) we went to Redfish Lake with Jessica's family It was incredible! I really needed a vacation. I was able to get away for the whole week this year. Last year I couldn't go with them at all, and before that I usually only go for two or three days. It was a lot of fun to spend time with Jess and the Kids as well as Jessica's brothers and sisters (and their families).

This waterfall feeds into Redfish Lake. This is the highest I have seen it running.

Creedance at the Lillies

I was able to finally figure out wakeboarding (I am able to get up and stay up for a while anyway). Toph and Creedance really caught on to kneeboarding too.

TJ had a BLAST PLAYING ON THE BEACH.

Keeping Busy...Really Busy

The big open spaces will have glass in them.

This past week has been really busy...OK so the past months have been very busy, but this week was really tough. I was working in Jackson for almost the whole week. We are working on a big-ish building right in downtown Jackson. The first floor will be retail, the second, offices, and the third will be a fancy apartment/3rd or 4th or 6th home. It has a lot of curtain wall (big, fancy, difficult glass system), similar to some of what we did at the Grand Teton Park Visitor Center. It is very slow moving. This week we focused on the tallest and most difficult frames on the job.

Tuesday we left early and came home very late...then again on Wednesday we left early but stayed over in Jackson and came home very late on Thursday...just to turn around on Friday and go up on Friday very early. I am very tired.

This is about how the visitor center looked the last time I saw it.

When we stayed on Wednesday, Steve (a guy I work with) and I took Justin (a kid I work with) up to see the Teton Park Visitor Center. I had not seen it in over a year and not after it was finished. It was really cool to see. I can't believe all the glass and how good it looks. The guys I work with did a great job on it. I didn't do much as far as the finish work, because I was pulled to do another job...but I know what they were up against, not to mention that it was 2 hours away.

This is how the Visitor Center Looks now...Isn't that cool?!?!

Friday I was finally able to be home before dark and spend some time with my wife and kids! It was good to play with them. I realized that I had not seen them since Monday night when I put them to bed. Sure I slept in my bed most of the nights, but I wasn't there to really be with them.

TJ had a blast helping me on the little yard tractor...it did a good job once I got the hang of it.

I also wasn't home to take care of things around the house, but Jess wasn't about to let me just work on projects all day...untill the guy who offered to grade our yard called. He came over with a tractor and a yard tractor and we leveled out the dirt in our yard. That was good to get done...but I don't think Jess was happy that we didn't go play with the kids at a park. Instead I got to make myself more tired and ride a cool little yard tractor with my kids. It was fun, and now we are one step closer to sprinklers and grass.

We are in!

24 November 2007

So we moved in...OK so nearly two weeks ago we did, but everything has been really crazy.

6 June 2008

We moved on the 9th of June. Jess and Dad started moving the beds and a lot of the boxes through the day, then that night we got some help from some friends. We still had to make little trips throughout the week but by Saturday afternoon, we were all out of the townhouse. We still have a lot to unpack and finish up (the sprinklers, grass and fence), but it is great to be in and to be able to enjoy the house more.

Bear Lake, an old TV & vacuum

This week I went the Varsity scouts to Bear Lake. I was only able to stay for about a day and a half, but while I was there I got plenty sore from beach football (yes I actually did play football), and had a fun time getting to know these young men. We also had the tour of the Minitonka cave. That was really cool. I had to leave before we put the boat in...but I think I would have been far too sore to ski.

We're moving in!...not yet

We had our final inspection on Friday to get the C.O. so we could move in today. There were only 5 issues to take care of. However we cannot get even a partial unless we took care of 3 of them. We needed a hand rail (just a temporary would do) in the garage, a minor electrical thing with the jetted tub (I can't wait to use it...the kids have but I haven't!), and we needed a little deck with steps out the back door to the patio.

This was the little deck we built...it did get composite wood decking (like Trex) on top, just no picture yet...

So Dad and I spent the day getting those issues addressed. He fixed the electrical thing yesterday, then today we built the little deck and a temporary railing. So we will try again on Monday to get the partial C.O. then take care of the other little things after we get in.

TJ watching the cement guy work on the front porch...I like how Jess designed the flooring in the living room

One of the problems was that the final grade around the house has not been completed... this will be completed more when we get the sprinklers and grass. Then we also need to extend the basement hand rail all of 10 inches at the bottom...D'oh!

We were really disappointed that we could not move in today. It would have been much more convenient to do it on a Saturday than on evenings next week. We would like to be out before the weekend, because I have windows coming on Friday to install on Saturday, and Creedance has a cheer camp thing (fun for her). Speaking of Creedance...here's her VERY PINK room:

The pink may be a bit strong.

So we will try to get all the big stuff and boxes moved Monday night (unless I am working in Jackson)...maybe I will have to take a day off to move. Fun for me?

I am very pleased with how our bathroom turned out, especially after the tile job I had to install a shower door on yesterday! It was really bad! There are a few things I would have done better on my tile. Jess tells me I am too picky...but I want it to be done how I see other tile jobs I work around are done. She thought I took too much time on it. I probably did...more than anything I was putting it off for longer chunks of time, and just plain procrastinating what was hard...setting tile blows!

It is finished...

OK, so the house isn't but at least the bank in Victor is. We did have a break from it for a week or so...but that was only because we were hitting a job in Jackson really hard...like 12-16 hr days last week. But today we went up to Victor to finish the last remaining things on the bank. I am really glad to have that job out of the way. Not to say I am really excited for this one in Jackson. At least we won't be staying up there for weeks on end working on it like the visitor center at Moose.

Steve caulking the last little bit.

The new job in Jackson is right downtown (just half a block from the Town Square). We can tell when it is 6PM...we hear the street show with the singing and shooting...stupid street show!

The house isn't quite done, but very close. The big thing we are being held up on is still the cement. That is quite the mess. I am not sure we will have the same guy do it. He has been yanking us around with getting it done, and what he has done is pretty crappy. I hope we can get a better price (I am sure we can get a better product) from another contractor tomarrow.



While we were working on Saturday, Jess put the kids in swim suits and filled the tub. They had a blast! I can't wait for my turn. That will feel so great after the LONG days I have been putting in at work.

We also sarted going to our new ward. We went once or twice becuse of other things we had going on and wouldn't be able to go to the current ward we live in. Well that got them really excited and they requested our membership records! So a last week the Bishop called and asked if we would come visit with him. I was thinking just a "we'd like to get to know you" type of thing...OH NO! They gave us callings...OK they gave me a calling (Varsity Coach) and said that Jessica's was coming (there was a 'glitch'). Even though we aren't moved in yet, we have been welcomed into the new ward with open arms...and callings. Let's hope the talks in Sacriment Meeting will be held off.

My 2 big jobs

Lately I have been very busy at work and then come home and if there it time in the day I go to to the house and work. Last week we worked on the laminate flooring in the kitchen and into the living room and entry. Satruday the vinyl floor was installed in the laundry and bathroom. Then on Tuesday the carpet went in. It is looking really good.

Most of my time at the day job has been spent in Victor working on the 1st Bank of the Tetons. It has been a bit of a pain in the butt. However it finally is getting done. We have it just about all done. We should have it all done tomarow. That will be great...until the job in Jackson starts. We got the metal for that two weeks ago...that was one huge shipment. But that shouldn't be every day... just every other week up there or so...I hope.

Merry Freakin' Winter

Outside the bank in Victor...it was fun...

OK so winter just won't let up! Yesterday was rainy with hail and quite cold. Luckily we spent most of the day working in the shop getting ready for a day working in Victor. Today we were working in Victor at the bank. I thought it would be cold with rain off and on...basicly kind of crappy. But instead we had snow...wet...blowing snow.

This job has been a bit of a pain. Some things have gone well, and others seem to drag on. Today we were working on trimming out with break-metal, which each piece is custom and a pain. So we didn't seem to make much headway.

An interesting thing about this job is that it is the same bank and basicly identical to the one I did in Jackson when I worked with Cherry Glass (Here's a link to that post in 2006). The design on this one bypasses problems that we faced on the one in Jackson...so that has been nice. Also the contractor has a lift for us to use on this one whereas the Jackson bank was all off of scaffolding.

I haven't abandoned the project

Copyright 2008 - Tyler Hopkins

I have not completly given up on photography. Just slowed down A LOT. As I said earlier, we have been very busy with the house and so that has been forefront on our minds.

Copyright 2008 - Tyler Hopkins

However last Sunday I had a nice break and was able to relax with Jess and the kids. While hanging out around the house, TJ was playing with his prosthetic and putting it on himself (without the liner) and waking with it...ok so he would step right out of it. He is also starting to walk just on his stump...it looks just a little odd when he walks that way.

Copyright 2008 - Tyler Hopkins

He really is very animated. In the morning I hear chairs and the bench scooting accross the floor, and I know he is getting up on the counter (more often than not he does this without his foot on yet). There is no stopping that little boy.

Copyright 2008 - Tyler Hopkins

Yesterday we went to the park and he still has a little difficulty walking on uneven ground. It throws him a little off ballance. So walking on grass and gravel will take a little practice. He will get it this summer when we go out camping.

Copyright 2008 - Tyler Hopkins

Long day...ok...Long week(s)

I was pretty proud of this (I have never done tile before), So I'm posting 2 photos...most likely with more to come.

I did this with photomerge...very rough.

If you couldn't tell, working on the house has been forefront on my mind. Lately the project on the house I have been busy with is tiling the master bath. I think I started about 3 or 4 weeks ago... at least... on the floor. That wasn't too tough, but once I got into working on the shower it was another story.

I think it turned out pretty good, it will be nice to get the grout and shower door done.

Making the slope to the drain, then the pvc pan (to make sure that my floor does not leak in case my grout does), another layer of cement to lay the tile on, and then finding tile that went with the floor tile that we had. We had a hard time deciding on how to lay it out. Once we had an idea and had the tile, it seemed like I could never get over to the house for a long enough time to get much done. I got the shower floor and some of the walls done last Friday, but then it just seemed to sit there with no progress. Today I wanted to get it out of the way, and so spent nearly all day there. I am happy to say that all the pieces are set and will be ready for grout in a day or two. I want it to set up really well, and then I need to clean out all the joints, grout, clean (again) and seal.

After that I can move on to something else in the house...like the laminate wood floor, window sills, doors and hardware, touch-up paint, trim, mirrors...Fun for me!

I really like the newel post and balusters we went with.

Our stairway railing got built this last week. We really like how it turned out. We still have some finish sanding to do on it and one more coat of lacquer. We have the window sills to do next, they will be of the same wood and finish. I am excited to see them done too. We had a guy in my ward install the railing...in fact our architect & electrician are in our ward too.

The counter tops also got completed this week. We had to get the sinks on site so the cutouts could be made. Our plumber gave us a sweet deal on this granite(ish) kitchen sink. It is a composite that looks and feels like granite. He sold it to us for the cost of a stainless steel sink. I think that we are able to do little things that are giving our house a distinct character and style. I hope it doesn't become too eclectic...I think that I have been able to maintain a consistent design.

Cabinets and counter tops are finished.

In some of the design Jess and I have made compromises. I let her get less expensive faucets throughout the house that still look nice (which saved us around $500), and she is letting me buy tile to finish the shower and tub deck. The wall tile we got for free doesn't really match the floor tile we put in. So I had a modest budget to buy something that compliments the floor better. So I have been working on getting the shower pan sloped and sealed, then I can start working in there again.

Shower floor ready for mortar and tile

I have got to say that this has been an adventure. I have never done much of what I am doing on this house. I have never laid tile and I think I did OK, I am however nervous about the wall tile. I am glad that we hired subcontractors for what we have. We would not be nearly as far along if we had tried to do a lot more ourselves. The hole was dug on December 12, 2007...we are almost at the four-month mark, and very close to done. Maybe by the end of the month we will be.