Holy Smokes. We Built A Table.

8-25

 Several months back, I asked Matt if he would ever be willing to help me build a table big enough to seat our whole family comfortably. I found some plans on Pinterest (of course!) for a farmhouse style table that I liked. The blogs that I read were pretty detailed with how the process should go; a shopping list of wood and tools, and general directions including pictures for most of the steps. I was pretty sold, honestly. I thought we could do it. The alternative was to shop for a new table (which can be a big expense depending on the style; in this case, a farmhouse look) or buy something used (probably sacrificing looks for price tag). I wasn't thrilled with either of those options. Molly has been out of the high chair for a while and now sits at the table in a booster seat. We had to pull up a folding chair to our small kitchen table in order to seat our family around it at meal time! This was definitely not sustainable. We need a bigger table. Period. Soooo....

Back in June, I bought some wood to build the table. We set it in the garage at the new house very shortly after we closed. Originally, I thought it would be best if we were able to build it and have the table ready to go by the time we moved in. Well, we got a little busy (shocking, I know) with other things and the table was bumped down the to-do list. Near the end of summer and after I thought that I was caught up enough on some other projects, I felt like I could handle starting a new one. Enter: Project Farmhouse Table. 

We started cutting wood on Sunday afternoon while Hattie was napping. I was doing all of the cutting, and Matt was teaching me every step of the way. He makes a great teacher! Very patient and supportive. After a few hours in the afternoon, we went back out to the garage that night for another session, as well as five out of the next seven nights. We put the kids to bed and immediately headed out to the garage to work on the table. It was really fun to work together on a project like this! Building furniture isn't something that we have done together in our marriage yet. We can now scratch that one off the list! :) 

First, we cut and assembled the two outer table legs (the A-shaped part of the base). Then we attached the two bases together with the 4x4s in the middle; one on the top, one on the bottom. After that, we put in the 2x4s to help support the table top. Once that was done, it was time to assemble the table top. We attached the table top to the base and wha-BAM! (Charlie's phrase.) A new kitchen table! The whole thing is made out of 4x4s (all of the base), 2x4s (the support pieces only), and 2x10s (the table top and bread board). We bought one new tool for the project - a kreg jig - to assist in drilling the holes at an angle to connect boards together. It's a great tool to add to Matt's collection.

Yep, I learned how to use power tools.

And a speed square.

The table upside down on the freshly assembled/screwed/glued together table top! The table measures 75 inches long, 35 wide, and slightly over 30 high.

OUR NEW TABLE!! Next up, staining and finishing. :)

45 Weeks

9-1

45 weeks and counting! Hattie's onesie says 'Nature Lover'. 

#Twinning

8-29

Matching sisters! Right down to the hairstyles! Molly looks up to her older siblings so much, and they really do set a good example for her. Not always, that's for sure, but most of the time! 

Matt's Solo Backpacking Trip

August 27-28

I had planned to take backpacking trip with a group of friends, but they all bailed on me a week before the trip, so I went by myself instead.  I had decided to trek into the Weminuche Wilderness, a place I had never hiked in before.  I started at Rio Grande Reservoir and made my way up Ute Creek.  The plan was to complete big loop, but I had to modify that idea based on the trail and weather conditions.

On my hike in, I soon realized the impact of the beetle kill in the area.  The forest looked gray instead of green.  I did see a moose, the first moose I had seen on a trail in Colorado.

Contrasting colors.

The landscape was different then most other places I had hiked in the mountains.  The river bottoms were large open parks with a willow community along the streams, rather than a steep drop to an incised rocky stream surrounded by forest.  I could hear elk bugling in the forest all around me, but never saw until the last mile of my hike out.  That evening I experienced sun, rain, sleet and snow . . . ah, the mountains of Colorado.  I woke up to ice on my tent, but I had stayed warm in my sleeping bag.  I was greeted to a fresh dusting of snow on the tallest mountains.

I did hike on a small section of the Continental Divide Trail.

This picture was the reason I wanted to backpack in this area.  The picture does not do justice to the awesomeness that I had witnessed.  I sat in this spot for nearly an hour soaking it all in.

I would have enjoyed this experience more with someone else, but I still made the best of it.  Nearly thirty miles in two day (seven the first, twenty-three the second) and well worth the time and effort.

Park and Bonfire

8-26

The first Friday afternoon after school started called for something special. After we picked up Charlie, we headed over to Harrison park to have a snack and play for a while. We're starting to move toward a good time of year for going to the park - FALL! Summertime park visits have to be over by 9am or it's just too hot outside. But Fall is a glorious time to go to the park!

 Later that evening, we had our first fire on the back patio since we bought the house. Again, summer isn't the greatest time to gather around a hot fire. Canon City is usually already on fire with the bright sunshine and hot temps! Ha! Matt lit the fire and we spent some time enjoying the evening on the patio. It's really nice in our backyard, especially in the evening. We are loving our home!

 Her cheesy smile is hilarious! Hello, underbite and double chin!

 There were some s'mores involved. Obviously.