christmas 2013

It's hard for me to believe Christmas has come and gone already!  This season went by way too fast!  I'm enjoying my trees and decor for a few more days...

On Christmas Eve, Brindley was in the angel choir at church for the Christmas play.  It was adorable and I was so proud that she wanted to participate!  

We then headed to Brian's mom's for Christmas Eve dinner!  It was delicious and so wonderful to catch up with everyone!  

I hosted Christmas Brunch again this year at our house.  It was fun having my cousin Todd, Brian's mom & Grandma, my aunt and of course my Mom.  

I have terrible pictures this year...perhaps that will be my resolution this year...to get better at taking photos...

 Setting out cookies, milk and carrots!

 Being silly before listening to "Twas the Night Before Christmas."

 Santa delivers...

 Brindley so happy with her new American Girl Doll...Julie!

 Giz getting in on some of the action (new bone!)

And the annual last gift of Christmas...boxers...

I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas and here's to an amazing 2014!

kitchen, kitchen, kitchen!!!

Ok...the best part of all...my kitchen.  I dreamed of white, yellow and subway tile!  I love my kitchen!  

We painted all the cabinetry and even took a few out to add a shelf and leave room for our built in sub zero.  We have the hardwoods as well as sub way tile as the back splash.  Our island is now yellow and adorns an apron sink!  And also a little cubby for our Keurig!  We also extended the counter to add basket drawers! New knobs, new lights, new appliances!   

The before/after is shocking to me...

 Before...so very dark...

 dark...

dark...

AND...

NOW...

 So bright! The island looks super bright yellow and yes, it's yellow for sure, but the camera makes it slightly brighter!  I am NOT a photographer!  

The area above the hood, was a microwave and cabinet...so we added a hood and shelf instead!  

 The refrigerator is in the same place, but this time built in.  We had to remove a cabinet that was once above the fridge!

 My apron sink...love!

 The basket shelves...that whole piece is an extension of the countertop.

 The Keurig cubby!

Oh the subway tile...yum!

our mini mud & laundry room...

We have a detached garage so our back door leads to the outside. There is a small space to put jackets/shoes as well as our laundry room.  I call it our "mini mud room!"  

This is the only before photo I had, and I didn't have one of the laundry room!  = (  

 Built in bench with hooks and cubby below!

 Laundry room

The floor is my favorite!

december fun

We had an amazing weekend filled with family and Christmas traditions!  

My mom hosted Thanksgiving again and it was delicious as usual!  So fun to be with our family!  Sorry, no pics!  

We were hoping for the big "W" for the Cougs, but not so much!  Still a great game!  We also got our Christmas tree, and Brindley and I went to the Nutcracker!  

Tis the Season!  

 Trinity Tree Farm

 There she is!

 Brindley's tradition of finding an "orange" tree!  

And the famous pic...Brian's bald spot...growing...

The finished product!  

 Intermission at the Nutcracker!

Brindley and her friend Savannah!  

kid rooms

Here are some before and after's of Colden and Brindley's room!  

 Colden's before

 Our favorite wall in the house!  

 Brindley's before

 Beadboard ceiling!

dining room...

It's about time for another room reveal...we will start with the dining room!  

We added basket weave wainscoting, a new chandelier, and of course the hardwoods,  wood-wrapped windows, and paint.  

BEFORE:

 AFTER: 

halloween 2013

Another fun Halloween in the books!  We had a fun night with family, trick or treating with friends and eating lots of candy!  The "switch witch" did pay us a visit however and our candy is gone!  Yay!  

 Carving pumpkins

 Brindley enjoyed the guts of the pumpkin, Colden not so much.

 Finished products...coug symbol and a trio of a crown, high heel and dress!  

 Go Cougs...