#94. 7 Months Living in a Basement

A lot has happened since I last blogged.  Here is my attempt to catch up to the present-ish and write an update on what has been going on since last summer.  A six month construction project ended up rounding up to seven, and a lot happened during that time!!

Construction began in mid-September...let the demo begin!!

The two major components of the project were a new kitchen/mudroom back entry (left) and to reconfigure our bedroom level (right).  It was hard to envision the finishline when these pics were taken!!

All 4 of us slept in the basement for the entire 7 months...just a few 'cozy' feet away from each other!!

Things were definitely cramped, but video games sometimes got us through the tough times.

No kitchen, 'no problem' (ha!)!  We made do with our plug in burner and the butler's pantry became our temporary kitchen...

...though we took full advantage of outdoor dining options whenever possible!!

A few weeks before the construction commenced, the twins began first grade in the most unprecedented way...synchronous remote learning!!  We were extremely fortunate to form a successful learning 'POD' with four other wonderful families.  The children rotated houses each day and joined their 'Zoom' classroom, completing the majority of their learning activities as a small monitored group.  

The first day of school was at our house (pre-construction)...

...and 6 first-graders began an unusual year!!

Thankfully, our two were in great hands with a great teacher, who really motivated the twins to make the most of their learning opportunities.  It was impressive to watch them grow and learn in such an unfamiliar way.  

This year's school photos may be some of the best ever...one of the POD parents was up to the task!!

School wasn't the only thing that was different.  In the fall, the twins were part of a Covid-friendly soccer league dubbed the 'Covid Kickers'.  Each fall Saturday morning, families joined together at Howell Park (across the street from us) to kick the ball around and enjoy being outdoors.

My two favorite Covid Kickers!!

Clare enjoyed kicking the ball around on the crisp, fall mornings

Luke enjoyed the 'low-key' soccer play too!

Soon it was Halloween, and fortunately, neither construction nor Covid kept us from decorating the exterior of the house!

Halloween also means the Christmas clock (can you find it?!?) is up and counting down!!

She was 'dying' to take this photo...

...and he was not so much!

Witch 2 are the twins??

I bet nobody can guess which pumpkin was Daddy's!

This year's costumes couldn't have been better 'typecast'...a Whoopie cushion and Minecraft Steve!  We were thankful the twins were able to enjoy trick-or-treat again this year wearing these fun costumes.

Halloween 2020 was a success!

From Halloween we survived to the Christmas season...

...which meant a trip to Poor Bob's Tree Land...

...to collect the plant that would live in our condensed home the next couple of months!

Thank goodness we still had our living room...that tree (and the twins) cleaned up nice!

Christmas card photos were taken...

...and these two were up to the challenge!

We were able to sneak in a trip to Eureka just before Christmas and saw this neat scene in town...

...and, of course, spent time visiting Grandma & Grandpa Knapp!

Back in Evanston, Christmas lists were made,...

...traditional Christmas shows were viewed,...

...and 'Twas the Night Before Christmas' was read.

And, before the twins knew it, it was Christmas morning.  What a haul from Santa!!

Lots of fun presents were opened...

...many of them the same as when I was their age!

Oh, and Papa too!

After the presents it was time to try out the Switch...and scratch off those unlucky lottery tickets.

New Year's Eve came a week later with a special toast...

...and a great meal!!

We were so thankful to friends who let us take over their place for a week to get away from ours!

As the winter months arrived...

...we began to see the progress of our home!

Clare learned how to skate and play hockey on the 'homemade' ice rink at Howell Park (Thanks, Clark's!!)

She picked things up quickly and spent hours outside practicing (sometimes in extreme temps)!

Luke was more comfortable climbing snow hills...

...and sledding down them!

Another month passed and we hit February...

...which meant our 'oldest', Trig, turned 8!!

We also had a fun Valentine's weekend trip up to visit friends in Wisconsin.

The house continued to show progress...Clare's room (our former bedroom) and the refinished floors...

...and the kitchen started looking more like a 'kitchen'!!

Another month (or so)  passed and we made it to Easter.  We had hoped to be hosting family in our renovated home for the holiday, but things weren't quite wrapped up.

So, we found ourselves back down in Eureka...

...which provided a nice yard for hunting eggs.

Grandma & Grandpa enjoyed more time with their growing grandchildren...

...and the grandchildren felt the same way!

Soon after we returned home, the construction was complete; which meant one thing...come one, come all!  We were a bit of a 'revolving door' of visitors for the next month!

The cousins came first and enjoyed sleeping over at the new place!

The grandparents came next...even more special since it had been around 16 months of time since we saw them last!  Grandma Steffie pitched for Clare, and Grandpa Dan and Luke piloted the drone!

We survived and are totally enjoying our 'new' home.   

Daddy loves his new kitchen...

...and Triggy loves her new (very own) bedroom!!

All is well again at the corner of Hartzell and Walnut...and let's hope we never have to do this again!