Family Mellmann

It has taken a few years, but we're finally getting a deck. Since building the house (eight years ago this summer) we have had other things to spend our money on (replacement vehicles, motorcycles, memory-making vacations, etc.).  Then, once we decided it was time for that deck, we started looking for contractors.  The first couple bids were so high that we thought they were just telling us they didn't want the work.  Several contractors never called us back.  And the one guy who came in with what we thought was a rational estimate...dropped off the face of the earth never to be heard from again.  A few others took one look at the job and said it was too big for them. So, we went back to the contractor-hunting drawing board and did some serious thinking about our deck.  We found a contractor who came well-recommended by a pretty picky customer (love you, Mom) and he was able to squeeze us into his summer schedule. This weekend we broke down the old butt-splintering picnic

Patrick and Katherine met with the orthodontist today to discuss teeth straightening. Patrick can start right away, but Katherine still has to wait a couple years.

The kids and I are getting ready for a road trip and there are a few things that need to be done before we go. After several days of rain, we could finally get out and take care of one of those things today...a little garden work.  Money and screen time are amazing motivators; Katherine helped me for two hours and Patrick for even more.  The garden looks great!