Day 127: The Ranch Plays Host to Family

Tonight we hosted my parents, brother, aunt, uncle, two cousins and one soon to be cousin-in-law (is that what you'd call them?) for dinner. Patrick was in town for just the weekend so we all got together for dinner.There really are six people around the table and plenty of people to move around (just a crummy picture). The boys got a little table this weekend. It's actually the same one that Patrick and I had when we were little. Brian and I have began a quest to find little chairs for it.

It was awesome. Of course the company was great; I always really enjoy getting together with this side of the family. Our house was awesome. My mom, aunt and I were able to hang out in the kitchen and get dinner ready without tripping over one another. Everyone else was downstairs being entertained by the boys. People could have been in the living room but chose not to be. Six were able to sit around the kitchen table, four at the card table and the boys sat at the kids' table. It just felt good to be able to have 10 adults and two children in the house and NOT feel crowded. I never would have said that 127 days ago.

Me, cousin Eric and Brian. While we still needed a card table to seat everyone, we all sat in the kitchen. No one in the living room or in the basement!

We are on the home stretch now, here's the list of things left to be done (as best I can think of):
1. HVAC...sometime this week
2. Bathroom tile
3. Railing on back porch
4. Installation of hardware (10-14 days my order will be in)
5. Fix very small water leak in basement

Here are things that we want to get done:
1. Get microwave fixed
2. Area rug for living room
3. Shelves for cubbies in mudroom
4. Bench or chair for mudroom
5. Landscaping outside...will do next spring. I have the plans and it's going to be a beautiful butterfly garden.
6. Really, are houses ever done?