Help!

First of all - it's messy because we had to pull everything from all the rooms into any corner that fit!
What do you think we should do? The flooring in the loft and front room need to be replaced. I was thinking about pulling the front room up and the hallway AND the kitchen and putting in laminate floors (that look like wood) and then keeping the living room floor's carpet. So there would be a 3ft section of laminate separating the living room to the staircase. The staircase has carpet on it too so it has to match with the loft's carpet right? I would love to have laminate up there too - but it might just have to be new carpet. But then the rooms don't match the loft's carpet. My mom has already given her 2cents worth. I'm actually leaning to her ideas. I would LOVE everyone's thoughts and suggestions.

Damage Control Part II

Well the damage is a little more extensive that we thought. BUT! - we don't have to pull down the whole ceiling! Yippee. This yellow tower (as Zoë calls it) blows 24/7. We have 8 of these little fan guys strategically placed throughout our house.



It's hot in the house because of a heater/dehumidifier - and the fans are really noisy - we hang out outside or go on errands as much as possible. They said it could take up to a week to dry out. So many things I could say about that - but so little time.


The water actually traveled into Emmett's room, the bathroom, the loft, downstairs into the side wall - and down into the basement.


You can actually see how the water traveled into our loft and turned the corner. I think it really REALLY wanted to make it down the stairs.

Water - the five step process to ruining your stuff

1. Frazier (my dog) wouldn't drink any water. He's afraid of the water spigot thingy that pours water into his bowl. So I brought him into the house and he left trails of hair everywhere.

2. Zoë dumped red water (5 parts water 1 part punch) on our carpet.

3. We went swimming at the local pool. We left in a thunderstorm and dragged all our sopping wet kids and bodies into my car - it was soaked.

4. Alex and I were on our way to bed and he discovered that our washing machine broke and dumped all the waste water all over the floor. Our laundry room is on the 2nd floor by the way. We mopped up the floor with everything from bath towels to Emmett's blankets. Alex then drilled a few holes in the ceiling and hooked up a vacuum to one side and turned it on - hoping that the air flow would air the water damage. He's such an engineer.

5. At midnight I discovered that the water had leaked into the ceiling of the music room - BIG damage. It was dripping on the carpet - Alex's guitar fell off the wall and smashed because the moisture was in the walls - we had to move all the furniture because the possibility of the ceiling coming down that night was huge. Whoops.

Crazy thing - I thought I was just going to cry - but Alex and I ended up laughing last night. Every time we thought of the days events we would laugh again. So - it's day one of demolition. "Action Catastrophic" came to the house and started pulling things down. More tomorrow...

The Winn Haircut

Emmett's first haircut. Alex finally won the debate because everyone kept commenting on how pretty our little girl was - even though he was dressed all in blue. I don't think they'll make that mistake again! This haircut is the "Winn Special".

We're Baaaaaack

I'm back! I left on June 21st and came back to Denver on the 28th of July. Zoë has now only 5 more flights to go before she reaches 50! I think I'll throw me ( I mean her) a party or something to celebrate when she reaches 50. Anyway - we had a great time at the Winn family reunion in Bonner's Ferry. All of Alex's siblings were there and their families - plus some of his extended family.

One of the days Alex's family went on a raft trip. We decided with the kiddos that it would be best for them if we went to Sandpoint beach. It was such a beautiful day! Lije and Steph came with their two cute kids and we just had a blast. I get a kick out of this pic because Lije looks just like Alex...on steroids. He's HUGE - by the way - yesterday he took down a drug dealer - literally! That's what I'm talking about :)

Zoë would wear her swimming suit everyday if she could. She LOVES the water.

One of the most beautiful/peaceful places in the world. Alex's Grandma has a ranch up in Montana. It's so quiet there and relaxed - I ask to go there every time we go visit his family.

This is what happens when you try to get all the yappers together to take a picture. Zoë is covering her mouth because she's screaming (obviously).

One of my favorite pics from our trip.

Zoë loves umbrellas. I think it's because she has seen "Singing in the Rain" one too many times? This unassuming umbrella caused a little ruckus with the cousins.

Emily - Alex's younger sister - packed Emmett up and down the mountain hike. He was such a good little baby and didn't cry ONCE! Zoë pitched a fit though so I took turns packing her up on my shoulders. I better have lost some calories on that one.

Zoë getting really dirty the last night we were there. She is exhausted in this picture.

On the hike Carter fell asleep on Brannen's shoulders (Alex's brother).