The Condo Work Resumes/Continues

We have re-started work on the condo after another break! C.J. had a few weeks where work in the lab was slow, so he got a lot done around the condo. Though many of them were smaller projects, it feels SO good to have progress! This past Saturday, we spend 5 1/2 hours cleaning out our basement for the first time. I'm convinced it hasn't been done since the building was built (108 years ago). There were literally piles of dust and dirt to be shop-vacced out and cobwebs that must have come from 100s of spiders (I don't even want to think about that part!) We filled our huge dumpster with all kinds of things left behind by previous owners. It was long, dirty job, but it felt good to get it done! Here are some pictures and some of other projects completed.

C.J. getting the cobwebs

The chaos of the basement before cleaning

Some semblance of organization after cleaning

Shelves C.J. installed to help wtih organization

Us with our dust masks on!

New hooks on the landing to the basement

Shelves/hooks C.J. installed in the front closet

The ledge is finished!!!

Downstairs bathroom waiting to be painted after old vanity ripped out, plumbing moved, and new vanity installed

Cruise 2009!

We are readjusting to everyday life after being on a 7-night cruise with Royal Carribean leaving from San Juan, Puerto Rico and going to Aruba, Curacao, Dominica, and St. Thomas! This cruise has seriously been in the works for about 5 years. Of Keri's 5 housemates from Calvin and her, 3 got married in 2004 and 3 in 2005. We agreed that on the first batch's 5 year anniversary summer, we would go on a cruise to celebrate! Two couples were unable to make it (and were missed!), but 4 could go. The guys also all lived in the same dorm during college, so they all knew each other beforehand. It was an amazing time! We have never been on a vacation with so many different things to do and a complete lack of responsibility (meaning no dishes, cooking, etc. to do). We loved it! We'll let the pictures do most of the talking. Lots of activities and lots of laughs. If you have facebook, the same pictures are posted on there, so if you've seen those, you've seen these!

Dancing on the ship deck

The eight of us at our dinner table...the food was incredible!

Captain's champagne welcome reception

Us on formal night

DeGroots and Sportels on Aruba during a city tour-the others went sailing and snorkling

We snorkled too with some borrowed equipment on a secluded beach. We saw squid, urchins, and awesome colorful fish on coral!

C.J. enjoying the water at Boca Catalina on Aruba

Sportels and DeGroots after kayaking on Curacao

Dancin' it up at the 70's party on board

The girls with the village people

We hit the casino one night with $6.75 in change and lost it within about 10 minutes

The boys karyoke-ing "Under the Bridge"

Roots made our path on part of our jungle hike on Dominica

All 8 of us on the hike!

C.J. being Tarzan

Our guide jumping into the pool of a 300 ft. waterfall. We got to swim and jump from smaller rocks on the other side.

Rum punch after the hike! :)

Semi-formal night for lobster and steak dinner with free refills on lobster tails...yum!

Our cruise ship docked on St. Thomas

Us after a day on the beach and more snorkeling on St. Thomas

Magen's Bay on St. Thomas where we spent 4th of July

The four girls on the last night