Darrol's 60th Birthday...Let's Work!

This past weekend, Tobin and I were able to go up to Trout Lake for an extended weekend. He even got both Friday and Monday off, so it was extra special! Since Darrol turned 60 (yesterday was his actual birthday). The Rummel family decided to surprise him with a get together, with the goal in mind for some home improvement projects! He knew about the project, but he didn't know that his daughter, Shannon and son-in-law, Josh would also be flying in from Georgia for the celebratory occasion!

Friday evening Tobin, Darrol, Marty, and I started with some preparatory work for building a new deck! My parents came up for the weekend to help out too (and they say I didn't tell them they'd be working...but I know that I did!). My Dad got to drive a tractor for the first time (Mom will you send me that photo). Then Friday night, Shannon and Josh were to get in really late (1am). So because of all the family staying in the house there wasn't going to be enough beds for us all. So to leave a bed open for the late comers and not to make Darrol suspicious, Tobin and I decided it was a beautiful night to sleep outside under the stars! And it was beautiful, all except for the time around 2:30am where I heard coyotes howling very near by, falling back asleep slightly frightened to be eaten by rabid dogs, and then to be awakened again by Tobin clapping his hands really loudly because there were coyotes only 15 feet away from us!!! So sleep may have not been the best, but seeing shooting stars before we fell asleep was great!

Shannon and Josh arrived in the morning, and Darrol didn't even notice the extra car parked in the driveway because there were so many people there! And he was quite surprised when they awoke and came upstairs as we were having breakfast!

Saturday was work day. The Miller clan (my parents and I) spent the day in goo....literally. We were staining pieces of cedar siding for the house. And that stuff was STICKY....and only paint thinner took it off. We were a mess! The Rummels began building the framework of a deck, and a few extra family friends from Trout Lake came by to help tear out an old sliding glass door, so we can replace it with a new one that will actually open! Unfortunately since my fingers were stuck in goo all day, I have no photos. But you can imagine it (Or Shannon or Mom if you have photos, I'd love them!)

Then Saturday night we got to celebrate Darrol's Birthday with BBQ and Root Beer Floats! Here's Darrol blowing out his candles...we couldn't fit 60 on there, but it was still a lot. ;)
Sunday we went to a Sudanese Service. It was great worship, I love African singers and their energy!

By Sunday night, this is where we had gotten to with the deck (see photos below). Next to this is the door we took out, but no photos...sorry. Monday we had planned on taking Josh up Mt Adams, but the weather didn't cooperate with us, so we worked more on the deck. And by Monday evening we had put boards on to about where Josh is kneeling. I was the screw driver specialist all day. My trigger finger got tired!

And here is the Rummel clan on top of Eckert Point...freezing but happy to all be together!

It was a special weekend!