Happy Happy 5th Birthday Ada

To our spunky, little Ada, Mimi wants to wish you the happiest 5th birthday.   

Your excitement over the littlest things and your loving personality radiates around you.  

You can't help but make everyone in your path smile.   Love you!

Mommy trying to get in on the action!

....and little brother wants in on the birthday photo.   

p.s.  can you tell it was really sunny that day.

Can You Say Tired of Painting!

Well I definitely am.    Finished painting the main living area, hallways and bathroom.  I've gone through 8 gallons of paint.  Once I took off all the tape and plastic from the woodwork it was all worth it.   Things are starting to come together.   Next step, installing the cabinets. 

I'm not 100% sure about the color of the walls in the bathroom.  It seems a little darker than I wanted but it's really hard to tell without good lighting.   Guess we'll have to see.  

Working from Home

Working from home today and here's my view!

Everything is so green and lush with all the rain we have had.

Peach is Gone

Painted for hours yesterday but the ugly peach colored paint is gone!

Now to give the ceiling a second coat.....yuck.

Cabinets have Arrived!

Custom cabinets made by Bontrager Cabinets.   They are gorgeous.  They are made from hickory will just a few knot holes to make them a tad rustic but not too much.   Love love love them.

This is my favorite one.  Look at the variation in the drawers.    Cut out is for my farm sink.

Happy Happy 3rd Birthday to Sammy

Can you believe this little guy is 3.  He's such a joy to be around.   

Getting ready for the party.

Very proud of putting his puzzle together.

Lots of Little Swimmers

This summer we have lots of little swimmers.

First Johanna and Elin swam last year and continued again this year.  Doing a great job at their first meet.

Johanna getting ready to swim!

First Place in the Butterfly.  Just think how fast she will be once both arms get stronger!

 

Here's Elin, swimming in her lane all by herself!

Then we have Ada ready for her first swim.   So proud of how brave she was.

This is also Gage's first year of swimming and he's also doing diving.

I think he found his niche!   He's doing awesome.

He looks so big in these pictures.

Backwards Dive!

So proud of all these kids swimming.

Texture is Done - Check

Continuing to see lots of progress on the remodel.   My favorite son-in-law did all the texturing on my ceiling and walls today.  It looks so great.   I'm so lucky to have the help.

It's called orange peel so it's just a subtle texture and I love it.   

Does this tub make my feet look big?

Just kiddin'.    The tub is in and look how deep it is.  I can't wait to soak in a nice hot hot tubby!

Decisions, decisions!

OK, it's time to start making decisions.  Things I have to live with the rest of my life.....well maybe not the rest of my life, but for a very long time.  

Paint color, flooring, counter tops, light fixtures....so many decisions .........wow, hope I do this right!

Happy Memorial Day

Spent some time with these littles on the holiday.   Best thing is making s'mores!   

Yummy and cooked to perfection.

Photo bombed by Mom.

The best part of the s'more is the chocolate, at least that's what Sammy says.

How did I miss getting a picture of Jo?   

I think it's because I was busy eating the s'more she made me.

Tape and plastic, that's my job!

Well in an effort to help keep the budget in check, I've decided to jump and do some of the work.  So tape and plastic it is.   The woodwork has cured for about a month but they don't want to start sanding the sheetrock until everything is covered in plastic or taped of, so it's a taping I will go.  Spent the weekend getting it done.

Only problem with this is Riley is used to going out this door to the backyard.  Hasn't figured out we do have another escape to her paradise.  

Living The Dream

i could get used to this.  Sitting on my swing, favorite flavor of coffee listening to the birds sing.

Happy Mother's Day

To all you Mommies out there, Happy Mother's Day.  One of the best career moves I've ever made.

My New Addiction

Polish Pottery!  Have you seen it.  Love this stuff so I am planning to slowly start to collect. My 2 sisters, along with my niece went to Weston to check out the polish pottery store.   Mary collects the pattern "Morning Glory" and here's my pattern of choice, "Roksana".   Beautifully hand painted pottery.   My plan is to accent my new kitchen with some pieces.

Queen of the Castle

Riley is loving being the Queen of her Domain.  She stands guard over her backyard.  Funny thing in my apartment I can't get her to go outside.  At the new house I can't get her to come in.  I have to bribe her with treats.

My little road warrior.

Las Vegas

Had a quick little trip to Las Vegas this week for work.  I didn't get to play too much but still had a fun time.

Took my sister Kathy with me and she gambled during the day while I worked.....I made money....she lost money.  I think I came out on the winning end of this deal.

View from our room.  46th Floor!  My ears would pop when we took the elevator.

We did have time to go to a show.  The Beatles Love, cirque du soleil.

It was awesome.

And some other site seeing!