Train Table

Dan and I have been promising Alex a train table since just before his second birthday, but with the upcoming deployment we never got around to it.  We knew we wanted to make him one that would be stronger than the MDF/Particle board ones you can buy in the store.  I finally decided that if it was ever going to be made that I just needed to start it; if I waited for Dan to return I knew it would get put off even more with the baby's arrival.  I know Dan would have loved to be a part of it's construction, but I think he will enjoy it even more when he gets to play on it with Alex upon his return.

I started with making the base using stock oak and my Kreg pocket screw jig.  It went together easily, but took time since I had to do all this during Alex's naps on the weekends.  Next came the table top and bottom shelf.  I had the plywood cut down some for me and then I made the final cuts on our table saw being very careful to stand to the side of the wood in the event that it was kicked back.  I think the hardest part of this table was the finishing of it.  It is difficult when this is Seattle's rainy season with overcast skies, late sunrise, and early sunsets.  The lighting is not the best in our garage either, making it difficult to see the finish.

I think the table came together wonderfully in the end and I know Alex will love it!

Christmas Tree and Decorations

It is not the same this year with Dan being gone.  This is our first Christmas apart from each other and my first to have to get the tree on my own.  I thought about not even getting one, but this wonderful group of vendors got together and were providing free trees to active duty military in our area.  We got a beautiful 8' Fir tree.  Alex loved watching me decorate the tree and even added a little song to the occasion.

I couldn't stop with the tree and decided we needed a little something to decorate the outside of the house.  It is minimal, but I had to be sure that what went up could easily come down with me being 7 months pregnant.  Alex is fascinated with the Christmas lights this year and was so excited to see lights go up on our house; it's hard to tell from the picture, but the garland and wreaths are lit with white lights.