Wednesday, March 9, 2011

the digs

The kitchen...and the mama! 
We had so many help us get our house ready to move in.  We decided to paint everything (Except the bathrooms) before we moved in. I have never really painted before but boy, it was not fun. We had Aaron and I, Alain, Gary and Lynette (in-laws), mom, and Jenn my sister in-law helping watch kids. We painted pretty much for two days straight. I am so glad though that we decided to paint.  The color before was a mushroom-y color with pink undertones.

Yuck!

We painted a color called Autumn Haze and I love it.  It is bright and beaufiul and looks great contrasted with white.
This is in the basement.  We tried to have the girls at the house as little as possible because they were to eager to "help."  Aaron designated one small spot where they were allowed to help paint.  My sweet mother in law spend hours cutting in pretty much the entire house.  She is amazing!
You can see the difference in the paint there
This is the family room that you see when you walk in the front door. The stairs are on the left to go down to the basement.  It isn't a huge space and we are planning on getting a sofa, chair and ottoman to fill this space soon. Right now our old sofa and love seat are up there and it is just a bit too crowded. They'll move downstairs when the new set arrives
(That is the before color) 
oh, I love to see a man multi-tasking!
Girls room before. Purple changed to a soft vanilla pink
My handy men, Alain and Gary. They worked so so long.
Carter's room was pink and changed to a grey/blue that matched his crib bedding.
This is our office that is just as you walk in the front door to the right. 
I can't believe that I am posting this picture.
Does an air mattress count as furniture?
Super fun dad set up a tent also.  The room is so large. I have no clue how I am going to divide it and make it into the most useful space I can.  Any ideas?
I love our mud room. It is off the garage and connects to a door that goes to the back yard.  We bought a new washer and dryer when we moved in and I love them. We got the H.E. Top loader and I couldn't be happier. After a lot of research they were a  much better for us than the front loader, which is what I thought I wanted. 

I also have big plans for this mudroom in the future. One is removing that bar and behind it putting one of these beauties
(pottery barn)
 Isn't it pretty?  (and functional I have to add, just for Aaron.)
I would also love to add bead board and a bench seat under the hooks. Good thing my man is so handy!

Behind this door just may be the most exciting thing in the house for me
 Are you ready? What could it be?
Wait for it....
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
Ahhhhhh.... A cold storage/food storage room.
Did you hear angels sing? I did :)
A little lame that I am so excited over it but what can I say?

Here is Aaron's favorite part, even though it doesn't look very impressive in this shot.

An over-sized 3 car garage.

Woo-hoo. Those of you who don't live in snow country can't appreciate the awesome-ness of not having to clean off your car after a snow storm. Ahh, the little pleasures.

(We had just moved our stuff over from the storage unit)

I am a little hesitant to post these or anymore pictures because things still seem so chaotic and out of place. (There were a few nagging to see pictures..... ya, you know who you are :)

 When Aaron is finally done with busy season we'll really be able to dive into projects/decorating/organizing.  I'll post more "after" pictures when I feel more done!

Friday, March 4, 2011

I {heart} my backyard... and my cows!

ok ok.... they're not really my cows, but I love to watch them out my back window.  I love watching the farmer pull up and toss the bales of hay off to the herd. They all come mozy-ing over. I love it.  I heard from a neighbor that in the summer they can get a little noisy with their moo-ing but I don't care.
This picture gives a little better idea of how big our backyard is. We're on an acre and can't wait for Spring to utilize it to its full potential. I picture our garden, backyard BBQ's, slip and slides, pool playing, baseball hitting, volleyball playing, and just good old running around.

Now if this snow would just melt!

Thursday, March 3, 2011

rosy cheeks

Tuesday, March 1, 2011

look who's turning 5!

Dear Brooklyn,
Today you turn 5.  Boy time has gone by too fast. You are such a joy in our family. You are easy going and mellow. You love to just be home and hang out together. You love preschool and learning.  You have the most vivid imagination I have ever seen. Sometimes dad and I worry because you have a lot of imaginary friends. They all have names and very different personalities. You tell us everyday about the kind of dream you had that night.  I would say 6 out of 7 nights you also end up in our bed.  We are trying desperately to break you of this habit but you love to snuggle dad.  You have a hard time when he works so much this time of year.  You are always asking for big squeezes from him and snuggles whenever he is home.  
When I asked you what you wanted for your birthday dinner you very thoughtfully replied,

"Pizza and a meat and cheese sandwich." 

Dad and I just smiled.

You love Carter so much. You are always so concerned if he is crying, or getting into something he isn't supposed to be. You love to pick him up and he always seems to cry but you don't care.  I hope you two are pals. 

Our favorite song to sing together is You are my sunshine and you truly are!  Dad and I pray that you continue to grow strong in mind, body and especially spirit.
She loves her thumb and her fringe on her blanket
You had no fear at the beach and wanted to catch these little sandcrabs. Anna wouldn't go anywhere near them. (Seaside, OR 2010)
Shooting with dad
(summer 2010)
December 2010
First day of preschool 


Halloween 2010
Summer 2010
Paige, Ellie, Anna, Brooklyn
Raspberry milkshake mustaches

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Families are Forever

On Friday February 4, 2011, my step-dad Alain died in an off-road motorcycle accident.  I have been contemplating what I would write about these last few weeks, and words just don't seem to be enough.

 I know that Alain knew how I felt about him. I loved him just as a daughter would love a father. I also never doubted how he felt about me.  He always treated me like his daughter.  He loved me, guided me, taught me, laughed with me, cried with me, corrected me with gentleness, loved my children, and was truly one of the greatest examples of Christlike service and love of anyone I have ever met. 

My testimony of the plan of Salvation has been strengthed. I know where he is. I know that I will see him again. I know my children will be able to see their papa again. I miss him more than words can express.









Thursday, January 13, 2011

finally

After 8 years married,
and 8  moves, we are finally buying a 

HOUSE!!!!

I am really excited and really stressed out. We hope to close by the end of the month.
We are busy but blessed.


Friday, January 7, 2011

{diva}

I love those glasses on her

Monday, January 3, 2011

FHE

Last year I did a post about a wonderful blog I found called

A Year of FHE
 (There is a link on the right hand side of my blog)

I am so happy that she is doing another year 

I know our family has been trying harder to hold family home evening regularly and this blog has been so great in doing all the hard work for us! They are very family friendly and short and sweet which is almost a necessity with young kids.

Hope it blesses your family like it has ours!