Christmas 2010

Merry Christmas Everybody! I am not even going to give a lame excuse for why it has taken me so long to update. Anyway, let's get to it! My mom got these really cool wine glasses for Christmas and my sister (who calls me 'Emee') labelled the cups. Hilarious Allison!
Everybody working to gether to get dinner ready- this is always one of my favorite holiday memories- everybody bustling about to get the meal ready.

The finished product:

And Allison's ever artistic meal picture (great job sis!)

Mike and I went to Lincoln for Christmas eve and then to my parent's house for Christmas. We were then able to come home for a few relaxing days and Allison came to stay with us. We all had a wonderful time!

And we put together our new composter! Seriously I am so excited about this. It sits on this base that allows the ball to roll so that the compost gets shifted around every so often. I am really excited to see how much our garbage decreases because of this wonderful thing!

Games are always a part of our holidays...

Mike's sister Carilyn got this awesome canvas made of one of our wedding pictures and we put it at the top of the stairs on the red wall (ignoring my dad's recommendation that we put a big 'N' for Nebraska). Looks great, huh?

I also surprised my family this year with family pictures after Christmas. I can't wait to see how the pictures turn out!

Allison did some awesome cooking for us and we got the first of our 'compost items' ready to put in the composter!

Also, my mom made these amazing shelves. The main board came from a piece of corness moulding that we found in the attic nailed to the beams (can you believe that???) She MADE these shelves out of it after risking her life to get the (lead) paint off of it in the basement. Thanks Mom- they look great!!!

Also- can you tell I got a new camera this year??? What a wonderful year to spend time with family and have a (surprise) day off from work today!!! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Picture Post!

We went to Des Moines and the Quad Cities this past weekend! It was a wonderful beautiful weekend and we were able to see a friend get married and get to spend some time with the most wonderful people on earth! Also, the above picture is one of my favorite moments from the weekend- walking around the lake with G.

Always on the move!

Uhhh... What is in the Chick Fil A? Seriously though- that stuff is amazing!

And Diana and Zach got married on one of the most beautiful days of the year!

Playin' with the boys!

Love it!!

And a great weekend was had by all! I was going to get a picture when Mike and I were dressed up, but I didn't get a chance. Oh well- he promised me we could dress up for an upcoming date!

Finished Product!

Hello to my blog readers!
It is finished! The walkway and the backsplash are very near being completed! What a joy! I just wanted to take a picture of my 'summer to do list' and note that the last project was the backsplash- and thanks to my amazing parents- it is done!
This is how we feel about that:

Aren't they just the cutest? My parents are simply amazing!!!

Mom even got to use the wet saw!

Here is the walkway nearing completion

Here she is! There is just one more piece to be put in at the top- but you get the idea!!!

Okay- the before kitchen:

Sorry about my bowl of cereal.

(I got to snap that chalk line all by myself- what a rush!)
ANNNNNNNNNNNDDDDDDDDD- the after:

The details:

The part above the sink hasn't been grouted yet- but it will be done tomorrow night!

Thank you so much mom and dad for all that you do for us! Words don't even describe it!

Work in PROGRESS!

I was able to hang with my dad and husband all day Monday and work on this little (buy one get ten free) project! We are building a walkway to the place where we park our cars, so my awesome amazing intelligent wonderful dad is helping us do just that! We are using paver blocks that match our retaining wall so that the yard looks great!

But I still think my favorite part was being able to be with my dad. He is such a great example of the love from my Heavenly Father! We devised a new way to get these blocks into place and before we tried it, dad said, "Okay- either one of two things is going to happen. It's going to work... or it's going to break the stone." It worked! We high-fived and moved on!

More to come....

This weekend: working on the sidewalk AND tile for backsplash! Stay tuned! (and come help us)

(Un) Labor Day Weekend

Mike and I were able to go back up to the cabin for Labor Day! I just love this man!
Ahhhhh.... I feel more relaxed just looking at this place! I felt like this trip we took a collective exhale as soon as we got up there! Life is really crazy with me working so much and Mike in school with 18 credits (go baby go!). It was a wonderfully relaxing weekend!

Saturday morning Mike took the kayak out for a spin! It's awesome- you can pedal it and paddle it at the same time! That way you can fish and move!

Then we built a BONFIRE! It was awe-some! (don't show dad)

Beautiful, isn't it? What else could you possibly need? Beautiful evening, note the sweatshirt, the lake in the background, and the BONFIRE!

I LOVE THIS MAN!!!

Our last trip to Granny's Pantry for the season.

(Sappiness ahead) I can just imagine my children running around here like I did when I was a kid. I'm so thankful for my parents and all that they do to keep this place beautiful! Mom and Dad- you are such a blessing!

Finally- the finished kitchen!

Before and After

Halfway through the kitchen remodel. Here is the progress:
Entryway before:

And halfway through (ceiling was re-painted too):

Back door before:

And halfway through:

Who paints trim YELLOW?

Also, our flower bed in the spring:

And now:

Yay! Stay tuned for more updates!