Settled In?

Not yet! Day 3 in our new house and we're far from getting comfortable. You'd think that two moves in five years would have thinned out our possessions, but that's not quite the case. As we unpack, we're already putting even more things in the to-be-donated pile.

The priority for the last two days has been the office (command center for now), the kitchen and entertainment center (Rebecca has been sick with a respiratory virus).

And we've been interrupted with last-minute contractor work, as well as the installation of various fixtures in the bathrooms, garage, oh hell, virtually every room in the house. But, I really can't complain since we're making the place ours.

We'll be at it until Halloween. After that, I'll tackle the garage. Muscles are sore, feet are tired and patience is tested. Despite all of that, the girls have been incredibly patient, which had been a saving grace. Thanks guys!

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Moving In Phase One

Thanks to everyone for their help in getting us moved out today. From loaning gear to running boxes from one house to the next, we got the bulk moved out.

The movers pick up the rest on Monday and it probably won't be until Halloween before we can sit back and fully enjoy our new home. But the heavy lifting is done for now, thanks to everyone's help.

Thanks goes out to Paul and Susie Frank, Michael and Amy Snow, Fred and Theresa Willerup, Will Kemper, Jonathon Fishman, Fran Frank, Carissa Hartung, Stew Wilder and Bryan Oakes.

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Oct. 19 Update

From Drop Box It's felt like an eternity, but the finish date is coming up. Over the last few weeks, we've had the wood floors finished, moulding installed, cabinetry rebuilt and reinstalled and millions of other odds and ends. The granite countertops went in yesterday and they look sweet! Stay tuned for more shots and updates on the tile work for the backsplash.

Move date is this Saturday at 8 a.m. Oh my, we have some serious packing to do!

October 5 Update On Our New Home

This week we're working with our contractors to apply the finishing touches. The wood floors are in and stained, along with one of two protective finishes.

Now the painters are back cleaning up some loose ends, but they'll return at the end of next week once the floors get the final finish. They'll hang doors and do the final touches on base moulding.

Our cabinets will finally be reinstalled so the counter top guys can draw up their templates for the granite.

I also met with a plumber to install the sink, rework some plumbing (don't need any leaks on the new floor), and install a toilet.

We're still on schedule for an October 23 move thanks to a gang of friends. Anyone in for pizza and keg beer in exchange for some box lifting?

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Our New House

Friends and family, meet our new home. It took four months, multiple offers on many properties, and the strained patience of our agent, but we did it. And I can't tell you how damn good it feels. From the first day we took possession, we began meeting our new neighbors and the slew of kids all around our girls' ages. Since then, neighbors have been coming around to welcome us, and even offer tools for the work we're putting into the place.

Work To Date: new roof, stripped the house to ready it for painters, tore up the carpet and crappy tile job for wood floors, and miscellaneous mods to the electrical and HVAC systems. Painting is almost done as are the wood floors. Cabinets and floor trim go in at the end of the week, final paint touch ups and then new countertops. Thanks to Paul and Susie Frank for their support, understanding and free packing boxes. An extra special thanks goes out to our good friends Michael and Amy Snow, and Bryan Oakes. Your help, expertise and willingness to take time out of your weekends is eternally appreciated. Here are some photos of our progress.

ETA to move is the last week of October. Keep your fingers crossed, and if you're up for helping us move in (keg beer and pizza are the reward) you know how to reach Suzanne and I.

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Camping at Bonneville Campground

Last weekend we went up to Bonneville Campground with the Snow family. The site is located at mile marker 92 on Highway 21 (between Lowman and Stanley). We read about the nearby hot springs, but I didn't realize how cool they really were until checking them out myself.

No trip starts without some form of adventure. On the way up our Montero broke down (bad spark plug), with the tent trailer in tow. Fortunately, it was right in front of the Sourdough Lodge. After calling AAA to get a tow back to Boise and counting the trip a wash, Michael happened to drop by the lodge for some butter. His family had already checked into their site and set up. I loaded the wife and kids into their truck and set them off for camping.

We got an OK from the lodge to leave our tent trailer in the parking area (and spare a $300 tow) and I spent the night riding 90 miles back to Boise in a tow truck. The next morning I borrowed a pickup truck from a buddy (thank you Jimmy), which had a crew cab and could tow. By noon, I was at the lodge to pick up the tent trailer and get to camp. I was determined to do some camping, even if it was for one night.

Despite the setback, we all had a great time soaking in the pools, enjoying the sun and breeze, shooting the breeze, and watching the birds and deer. Perfect.

30 Hours Before Departure

My goal was to post a blog entry once a day during our trip. No such luck. That's OK, because the time was spent doing what we came here for -- playing with the kids in the pool; building sand castles on the local beaches like Anini and Hanalei; catching a pig roast and luau; and exploring the island. If you want to see pictures, the quickest way is through Facebook. Or you can now link to our Picassa album below.

Some highlights from the last six days:

• Pig roast and luau at Smiths Gardens
  
• Dive rings, goggles, kid's pool and water slide at the resort pools
• Making friends at the pool, like Anika and Anita from Napa, Calif., Tomas from Templeton, Calif. (former Boisean); Mike and Sarah, from Bakersfield, Calif., and others we'd mention but can't recall thanks to another San Miguel in my hand
  
• The girls having fun at the resort's Kids Club (a nice facility for the kids)
  
• Rachael discovering waves, while both explored tide pools at Waioli State Beach
  
• Watching the birds at Kilauea Lighthouse
  
• Sea kayaking and shave ice in Hanalei
  
• Soundtrack album for the week -- "Only By The Night" by Kings of Leon
• Bubba Burgers in Kapa'a

Sadly, we depart tomorrow night. So, tonight we feast. Steak and potatoes are ready for the grill, and San Miguel (for beer lovers, this is the real shit -- brewed in the Philippines, not in Mexico like you get on the Mainland bro). At our resort, they fire up the tiki torches all around the premises before sunset, so it adds a romantic touch. 

Tomorrow, we max out the day by heading to the south side of the island to get in Waimea Canyon (the Grand Canyon of Hawaii). Check out all the photos below.

Metzgar Kauai Trip 2009