Filling in the Gap

So here we go again....I know, I KNOW it's been a while since updating but that's my life. Where do I start? The last entry was about Dennis and his kidney's, the gardens and summer coming. And now it's fall, kids are back to school and life continues to whiz by with no concern for the fact that I'd like things to SLOW DOWN.
Well, so, summer! The kids all attended some summer camps at the local YMCA. They enjoyed it and I tried to do it so they weren't all gone at once so I could (selfishly)spend some time with them doing something special. Throw into the mix now that Mishel decided to drive out for a visit with her five in August and I'm not sure where that month went! It was great fun having her here and seeing the eight cousins enjoying each others company. We had great fun at the beach (Mitchell's Bay) one day,only one minor problem when we told them they had to stick together...nobody in the water alone...next thing we know we see this group out further than anyone else (including adults). As I attempted to run/swim/yell at them to come in a short moment of panic when I realized the #'s didn't add up to kids in the water and WHERE are the two missing ones? Brief scan of swimmers closer pin pointed the two with greeat relief that I would not have to scan under water looking for bodies! (I think this might have been where Mishel's kids got to see me at my finest moment of calm and love as they all...my kids included...got a minor speach about water safety and using their brians) Or where once again there was miscommunication....telling them all to get in. They all reached the shoreline and waited as I helped drag in the last one (who did have a lifejacket on)until I got there and then clarified that they didn't have to get out but that we had to set boundaries for how far out they were permitted to go. All went well after that! They enjoyed the mud fight they had, the clay application some of them gave themselves and of course collecting shells.
Now in the mix too we were having a deck installed which was supposed to be ready for Tanners Birthday party...well lets just say we were rained out anyhow so I guess having it completted 4 weeks later was okay! NOT. His birthday was still good, he loved that his cousins were here and I have to say so did I.
September brought school, new teachers, and routine! We also started to reno our main bath (the only shower/bath we have) and just as we had that underway we took in a teenage nephew for a week (no wait that turned into two weeks). Poor guy not able to shower daily and having to be taken to a strangers house to shower every other day. It took a bit but now that we're into Oct. things are going pretty well. Now we just have to add into the mix Tanner's hockey practices and games. McKalyn is doing ballet twice a week and LOVES it! Miss Sarah is taking piano lessons and so far says she likes it.
As for the bathroom reno. well it's just about there. We had issues with the plumbing (leaks) and the guy that did the tile missed cutting the hole for the shower head pipe in the right place so we aren't able to attatch the shower head yet (hope he can fix it). They broke too many tiles cutting the ones for the shower so I've had to order more. So there's one missing in the shower that they have to some back and do. Then when we went to install the vanity countertop we opened it to find it was cracked right in half on the one side (it's a marble sink/countertop all in one) SO we had to exchange that...then when we went to install the drain for the sink, the new vanity is taller so we didn't have a long enough piece of pipe! That's okay though because I can see what it will look like once it's done and I love it. Once it's all together I'll attempt to get pictures for you all.
I'm hoping now that I'll be able to find some tile to finally do the kitchen backsplash. I kind of want to try and do it myself and surprise Dennis. Other than that there's painting that I'd like to do to freshen up the house since we haven't done anything to it since we did the work to move in over 3 years ago. Actually the next major project will be the family room...I want that ugly panelling GONE.
So now that I've filled the gap between then and now I hope you're happy to know that I'm still alive and well and looking forward to being able to complete the few tasks still at hand so I have more time to update more often.(with pictures).