The Dishwasher Installation.

After Carintha started working, the dishes were the last thing that either one of us wanted to do. This is the first house I've lived in that didn't have a dishwasher since I lived in Georgetown. We even had one in Guam! So I got Carintha a dishwasher for Christmas. Actually, she picked it out on Christmas. We went to Home Depot and I wandered around while she played with them. They shipped it to the house on Jan 3rd. The installation wasn't that bad, but the cabinets had to be modified in order to get it in there. Since we are going to have cabinets put in later, I wasn't too worried about tearing into the cabinets. I just started taking things apart, and eventually it all started coming together. I didn't take a before picture, but this is close. This was after I took the doors and the counter off.

This is where the dishwasher is going. And yes, I made sure to turn of the power and water before starting.

I took out the garbage disposal and junction box so I could add a GFCI outlet. I ordered a power cord for the dishwasher that was going to plug into it. I also had to cut the bottom of the cabinet out. I only had to widen it about 5 inches, but it took a good bit of work to do it.

I basically just relocated the pieces of the cabinet, so I was very careful taking everything apart so it could be reused.

I put the dishwasher in and ran the water and electric. Then all I had to do was put everything back together.

I put the counter and sink in. I had to redo the plumbing because one of the junctions broke, but that wasn't too hard.

Then I had to cut the cabinet door to fit the smaller hole. I don't want to do it again, but it went better than I thought it would.

Morgan playing in the snow.

This started with Morgan and Kaitlyn trying to build a snowman. The snow was too dry and wouldn't stick together. Kaitlyn got frustrated and came in the house. Morgan stayed out to play on the hill.

She wasn't doing too bad actually. She made a little trail at the bottom of the hill so she would slide further.

I tried to get a picture of her jumping in the air and landing on her boogie board, but this was as close as I could get to it.

The girls playing in the snow, again.

We have been getting a lot of snow this year, so Carintha bought the girls some boogie boards to play with in the snow. She took them Morgan's school to play with them the other day, but Austin was asleep this time, so they just played in the backyard.

Kaitlyn wasn't too good at getting up the hill. Mostly because it was ice underneath the snow, but Morgan helped her up.

Austin has learned how to climb

I was sitting in Austin's room using the computer the other day and when I turned around, this is what I found. As far as I know, this is the first time he has decided to climb on anything. Later that day I found him on top of a box of diapers too.

More snow

This was the begining of the storm we had that we got about a foot of snow out of. The girls had a good time playing in it, but I'm tired of snow. I hate having to shovel it all. Kaitlyn only stays outside for about 10 or 15 minutes. Then she gets wet and cold and she wants to come in. It takes longer to get her ready to go outside than she actually stays outside.

Austin can walk now

Austin has been walking for a few weeks, but he has finally got to where he doesn't fall every couple of steps.

Grandma's Big Toe

Sometime while everyone was here for Christmas we played "Cranium." Morgan, Grandma, and Papaw were on a team, and Me, Carintha, and Aunt Dina were on a team. At some point during the game, Morgan's team had to have someone draw a predetermined thing, with there eyes closed, and have the rest of her team guess what it was. I thought that would be pretty hard, but Grandma did a good job; even though her foot had six toes! (It was a supposed to be a Big Toe.)

Austin's Horse

Austin got a horse from Grandma and Papaw, but he wouldn't touch it while they were here. He finally warmed up to it a couple of days ago.

Kaitlyn likes it too.

Christmas 2008

We staying in CT again for Christmas this year. Carintha's parents and her sister came up again, but this time they took the train, and stayed for about a week. This year it was Aunt Dina's turn to be sick, but we made it through okay. I like to drag Christmas out, but we were finished opening presents about lunch time. I was the first one to wake up, but Carintha wouldn't let me get up because the kids were still asleep. We also have watched "A Christmas Story" every Christmas since 1999, so that was playing in the backgroung most of the day. This is Morgan sitting with Papaw to open her present from Kaitlyn.

Kaitlyn got a princess dress-up costume from Aunt Momo. She wore it the rest of the time we opened presents.

Morgan and Kaitlyn got a Wii from Santa. I think I play it more than they do, but they will grow into it.

Morgan got a "talking" parrot that you program at first, but it will learn things as time goes by.

Kaitlyn got "Horton Hears a Who" from Aunt Dina. I think it is a very good movie, if you haven't seen it yet.

After we opened a few presents, Austin was confined to his high chair to avoid him getting into everything. He got his first football. It is small and green, but a football.

Kaitlyn got a Leapster game, and was very greatful, but she hadn't opened her Leapster yet, so I'm not sure if she knew exactly what it was. But she has been playing with it at least once a day ever since.

Papaw got a cordless grill thermometer. (It was my idea.) That should go good with the "flying b" brander that he got from Aunt Dina.

Grandma got a few DS games to keep her busy when everyone is driving her crazy. Aunt Dina almost got druged on the trip up here.