August

Where in the world has August gone? I can't believe how quickly the summer has been going! Well, here is what has been happening since my last post.
We took a trip to Minnesota with my in-laws and our good friends. Our last night, the full moon was amazing:

We took the time to experiment with all kinds of chocolate for s'mores. I think the clear winner was the symphony bar. And the big marshmallows were a hit too- although they are a little more messy than the traditional 'mallow:

I love time spent around the campfire, talking about all kinds of important things late into the night:

And a trip up North isn't complete without a trip to Granny's Pantry. Mike tried to steal my ice cream when I was leaning in for the picture:

Our good friends! Thanks for coming! And thanks for sharing your photography skills!

My favorite place on earth:

Since we got back, we had a night with amazing hailballs (that's right- when they're baseball sized, they're hail BALLS). We also had a night with 5 inches of rain (not just outside the house if you know what I'm sayin...)

The next day (after VERY little sleep), my husband dropped his cell phone down this hole:

SERIOUSLY?!? How does a cell phone even fit in there? He kindly sent me an e-mail entitled "Non Life Threatening Tragedy." Boy- does he know me or what?!? Yeah, the phone was unretrieveable, but we did have insurance on his phone (YESSSSSS!)

And, we built a platform bed. My dad is the brains behind the whole operation! We found this DIY website and built the whole frame for under $100. It is amazing, and the upgrade to a king-sized bed was totally worth it!

In progress shot:

Frame complete: (the mattress just sits right on it):

And then Mike finished our grill patio this week as well (thanks again to my amazing dad for his help building the frame):

Until next time! LEAVE A COMMENT!

Home Improvements and other Randomness

Wow! Lots has happened since my last post! My sister was here this past week and Mom ran a triathalon too! That's right- she is crazy! It was rather inspiring though!
Here she is just getting ready to cross the finish line. After she swam 500 meters, biked 13 miles and ran a 5K...

She really hated the swimming part, so I know I breathed a sigh of relief when she was done with that! Doesn't she look so athletic?!?

Allison and I made her some signs to cheer her on throughout- the glitter made all the difference if you ask me! Also- it is important to note the heat index that day was 110+

There was a swimming one as well with her head on a fish body- it is as awesome as it sounds!

So Mike has started to brew his own beer. I'm trying to convince myself it will be cheaper this way...

And here is a picture of my enemy Slither. GROSS.

We also painted the porch floor back in June sometime. Here are the before and after pictures. I think it went pretty well!

AND, my dad came over today and put a cabinet in over our electrical box. It has been this ugly for so long and my mom came up with an excellent idea for the cabinet around it. She made it so beautiful with crown moulding even! Yay Mom and Dad!

Ta Da!

Lake Vacay

Wow! We have been back from vacation for a week, and I have lots of pictures to post, so this will be a long post!

We were able to go to our family cabin in Minnesota for a whole week with my parents and my sister. It was fabulous!

First, I made Mike shave his face because I had never seen it without his mustache and goatee. My reaction? Tears. He totally didn't look like himself. Here he is in process:
And after! I think he looks so young. Iw as worried I was going to be arrested because it appeared I was with a minor!

My mom and dad never really stop working, but they make it look so effortless. I mean, who looks better taking down storm windows and putting up screens than this lady?!?

But she does love her some fire! We spent a lot of time around the fireplace again, one of my favorite places to be! My mom came up with this GENIUS idea to put Reese's Cups in s'mores- it was amazing. Mike said it may even be too much!

And what is a lake vacation without some fabulous hair? I mean- what is going on with my curls? And what is going on with mom's hair?

As always, Mike fished off the dock and from the kayak. The official count was 52 bass! Way to go baby! And he made me take pictures of the big ones this year!

Dad and Mike got the rest of the lifts and docks in as well this trip. And yes, those are waders. We are for realz.

Love!

We always make a trip (or three) into Granny's Pantry in town also. Mike re-discovered his love for homemade taffy and I was reminded of my love for ice cream!

We found a really good burger place in town that Mike and I had never been to. The best part was when the waitress was shocked Mike wanted a Guiness beer. She said, "I had you for a wine or summer shandy kind of guy." Party Foul.

Many evenings were spent playing games. Allison is clearly having the most fun in this picture:

ANNNNNND- the new kayak. It was really fun to enjoy the lake on the kayak. I was a little nervous in it initially, but it was really fun to go out on the lake and be able to enjoy it without any loud noises or having to start and re-start the boat motor. Here are Mike and dad taking it out for a spin!

Oh! How I love this place! I'm so thankful for the time we are able to spend there as a family!

And here is what we had to greet us when we came home! (Thanks Andy and Allie for taking such good care of them!)

Marilyn came when we got home to help us clean up the front yard and put in the edging in the back. More to come soon!

Remember to leave a comment!

Landscaping and Porch Remodel!

Warning: This is a long post with lots of pictures! So let's get started: last week Marilyn (awesome Mother in Law) came to help us with our landscaping disaster. I didn't get a before picture of this area, but picture the rocks all submerged in the dirt and without the little bushes in front (eunysmus?). They also planted a nine bark bush on the corner that will help 'bookend' the space. Isn't it a precious front yard? Additionally, we decided to keep all the flowers in the back and keep it business in the front (seen here). Like a mullet...
Along the Spirea, they planted 2 burning bushes! I cannot wait until these things turn red. How cool will that be? Also, how could you not love the edging circles around these things?!?

I told them to look tired in this next picture, which was no problem as it was in the 90s when they were planting and working and digging. The dream team hard at work:

One of my favorite new things is this block from our wall that was left over and Marilyn planted this little plant in here (acetum?) It is so precious!

Then comes the big project. We were wondering what we should do with this space in front of the massive wall our neighbor built (which we call 'The Wall of Frank'). Here is the before:

In Progress: (it was a lot of work to get all the grass... err...clover and creeping charlie off that hill in front of the WOF)

The final product (without the edging and some day lillies). It is so beautiful and I am so happy. The bushes in the back are korean spice viburnum which has an amazing perfume scent when it blumes and then double knock out rose bushes in front of the others. It is so beautiful! Thank you Marilyn!!!

Then my parents came over this morning to help us get our nasty storm windows off the porch. Here is the before:

And after:

Other side Before: (and my Dad who was apparently tired)

And after:

Doesn't it look so open and free? I love it!!! We need to paint and sand (not in that order) and hang the mailbox and re-locate the hooks, but it is an amazing start. Thank you, Mom and Dad, for helping us with this- you are lifesavers!

We posted the storm windows on freecyle and someone actually wanted them! We were standing there after we called them to tell them they were out of the porch and Mike saw this guy drive by in a Geo Metro with the hood held onto the car by bungee cords. He said, "You have got to be kidding me, " and the person stopped to get out windows! The guy was really nice and ended up STACKING all the frames on the top of the Metro and bungee cording them to the seatbelt inside!

Well, that is all for now! And for those of you who may think that my stuff always looks good before I post, I present......

Exhibit A:

Exhibit B:

Hahaha- thanks for reading!

Em: thank you for the inspiration to post disorganized pictures of my house

Carrie: thank you for pointing out things always look too perfect in my pictures

Kristine: you need to start a blog

Allison: Can't wait for vacay!

Mom: Love you thank you so much!

Marilyn: Thank you so much- it looks beautiful and it was great to spend some time with you here!

Tessa: you need to start a food blog

Becky: Are you still reading this blog?

Leave a comment!