We finished with the remodel of the spare bathroom and the two bedrooms (closets were added). I like the way it came out, but the contractor was not much of a "finisher". Some of his finishing work was a little shoddy, he was starting to cut corners and use cheaper materials because he underbid the job in the first place. Too bad for him. Akvila was always curious what was going on with the remodel. When we would get home from work, we would go and see what they did. She was curious how everything was going to look. Here are a few pictures from that remodel and the finished product. There is still some painting to do.
Since that remodel was done we have started having house guests... a lot of house guests. My sister-in-law and family came down for the long Memorial Day weekend. Akvila was very shy at first, but then she started to get used to them. It took about 2 days for her to start to warm up to them, but she was still very leery about there dog Zoe. One day we all went to downtown Nashville and took some pictures. Akvila always wanted to hold her Aunts hand. Eventually Wayne got to carry her on his shoulders, which she found a little scary but fun. There was a lot of playing hide and seek, slip n' slide and some goofyness, but everyone seem to have a good time.
That following weekend Grandma and Poppa Eltman came to visit, they brought 2 of there grandkids (Amanda and Cathy). Once again, Akvila was very shy about the new people. She knew names and faces because they all video chatted a lot (when in LT and one we got home). The warm up period only took one day for this round of visitors. While Amanda and Cathy were here there was a lot of drawing and coloring. Akvila liked to color in LT, but didn't do much since home. Since the girls were soing this, Akvila joined in. Akvila is a pretty good at drawing and they all did quite a bit while here.
Later on that week Wayne's sister from Oregon flew into TN. Wayne, Peggy and Akvila went to the airport to pick her up (they were late because Wayne trusted a website). So Jessica was already outside waiting when we arrived. The whole time to the airport Akvila did not want Jessica to come; "No Jessica" she would say. When we got there Akvila hid behind Peggy and did not want anything to do with Jessica. The warm up for her took a little longer, about 2 days. While all of these people were here we went to Purity Dairy in Nashville for a tour (not a tour at all, you watch a video and get free ice cream and some swag). There was also one day everyone (except Wayne) went to the pool. The house was crowded for a few days until Grandma and poppa (and grandkids) left to go back home. Jessica stayed for another week and got to hang out and play. Jessica was excited when Akvila would give her hugs (wasn't very often, but she enjoyed them). Akvila also had a graduation from daycare during the time of Jessica's visit; and there are a few pictures of that as well.
Now as most people know Jessica is Wayne's half-sister. Jessica was put up for adoption when she was born and has recently connected with him and his family. So the whole time while she was here, her husband would ask if she has talked to Akvila about how she was once an adopted child too. Jessica wanted to try and explain this, but she knew the time wasn't right yet. I know over time this conversation will happen. 14 days after Jessica arrived it was time for her to go home. We took her to the airport; Akvila gave Aunt Jessica big hugs and off she went back to her family.
Now after she left we had the house to ourselves for 1 whole week with no visitors. We started to get things accomplished, i.e. painting, yard work, general work before the next arrive of Wayne's parents and sister and niece.
Wayne's stser Rebecca flew into Dallas with her daughter to meet up with the parents. She only had 2 weeks of vacation and could not drive with her and Wayne's family, because they were going for 3 weeks. This group arrived on the 4th of July. Once again, Akvila is shy. It took about 2 days for her to warm up... and all was good again. Then 3 days after Wayne's other half-sister arrived. Vera Jo flew in from Dallas and spent a couple days here. On that Sunday we rented a pontoon boat with a slide and went to a local lake (Percy Priest lake). We all had a good time, Akvila enjoyed the boat ride (she got to sit with Poppa Griffith and help drive) and she really enjoyed swimming in the lake. Her are some pictures we got while there.
Soon it was time for them to leave and that meant 2 more weeks until the next group arrived. This also means that big school will be starting soon (that is what we use to define daycare from Elementary).
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