The tile is all in. Grout will go in on Monday. It's all coming together!!
Saturday, April 26, 2008
Friday, April 25, 2008
Arts & Crafts Time!
If you are anything like me, you have a spot in your cupboard full of old vases. Vases from flowers your husband sent you or vases from flowers you bought yourself. There is one or maybe two that you use occasionally to put fresh flowers in but the rest just sit there. You feel too bad to throw them away, yet you don't really have any purpose for them. Well, it is time to put those vases to use! 
First, brush on a coat of the conditioner and let dry. Now figure out how you want your vases painted. I went with red and brown blended together. The largest vase is red on top blending into brown. The middle vase is opposite. The pudgy vase is red in the middle blending out to brown. (I know these look a little pinkish/purplish in this picture, but trust me they're not.) After they are completely dry, brush with a coat of the glaze. This is one thing I would change about my vases. I chose a gloss glaze, I think I would like the satin glaze better. Let dry completely.
Viola! You now have your own super cool vases you can display anywhere in your house. My total cost was $12.74. My entertainment for a couple hours on a rainy day: Priceless.
First, pick out which ones are you favorite. You know some are just plain ugly, but there are probably a couple that have a nice look to them. Give them a good wash & dry.
Next, make a trip to Michaels. You need to pick up supplies for painting glass. A surface conditioner, the colors of paint you like and a glaze. Make sure they are specifically for glass, not acrylic. Acrylic paint will peel off the glass. This Delta brand I bought is neatly labeled Step 1, 2 and 3. Clever. They were $2.99 a bottle.
First, brush on a coat of the conditioner and let dry. Now figure out how you want your vases painted. I went with red and brown blended together. The largest vase is red on top blending into brown. The middle vase is opposite. The pudgy vase is red in the middle blending out to brown. (I know these look a little pinkish/purplish in this picture, but trust me they're not.) After they are completely dry, brush with a coat of the glaze. This is one thing I would change about my vases. I chose a gloss glaze, I think I would like the satin glaze better. Let dry completely.Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Kitchen Update
We are in the process of updating our kitchen. We recently got new appliances (love them!), put up new lights and put on cabinet hardware. The final phase of this project is counter tops and backsplash. In order to put in the new stuff, the old stuff had to go.
P.S. Please ignore that darn dishwasher. My new one STILL isn't in, but don't get me started on this topic...
Here is the kitchen with the old counter tops & backsplash.
See those little fruit lurking on my backsplash? They are about to meet their demise. We took out the backsplash ourselves. A hammer, a chisel and a bit of swearing and the tile was out. (Also, the drywall behind it came out a bit too.)
See those little fruit lurking on my backsplash? They are about to meet their demise. We took out the backsplash ourselves. A hammer, a chisel and a bit of swearing and the tile was out. (Also, the drywall behind it came out a bit too.)
Here is the kitchen with the tile 'taken' out. See that big hole in the back corner? That was the last piece to come out at 10:30pm Monday night. I felt as though I was done.
The guys came this morning to install the counter tops. First they ripped off the old ones and cut out all the sheetrock so they could put in new stuff.
BUT, they were able to salvage some of the sheetrock. See those 3 squares in the upper left? Yep, no replacement needed there. I wanted to put this picture up so my dad could see my handy work. Aren't you proud dad?
Here is the kitchen with the new tops. Don't they look awesome?!!? They will be coming back over the next couple days to finish the sheetrock and put up the new tile. I will post more pictures as things progress.
The guys came this morning to install the counter tops. First they ripped off the old ones and cut out all the sheetrock so they could put in new stuff.
BUT, they were able to salvage some of the sheetrock. See those 3 squares in the upper left? Yep, no replacement needed there. I wanted to put this picture up so my dad could see my handy work. Aren't you proud dad?
Here is the kitchen with the new tops. Don't they look awesome?!!? They will be coming back over the next couple days to finish the sheetrock and put up the new tile. I will post more pictures as things progress.
P.S. Please ignore that darn dishwasher. My new one STILL isn't in, but don't get me started on this topic...
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Earth Day
Hello Friends and Family!
Today is Earth Day. A day intended to inspire awareness of and appreciation for the Earth's environment. It's a day to look at what we are currently doing and what small changes we can each make to help save our planet. Not all of us are going to install solar panels on our house or start driving a hybrid car, but there are small things you can do to make a huge difference. Here are a few easy ideas...
Turn things off...lights, computers, TV's when they are not in use.
Unplug things...toasters, coffee pots, anything that doesn't need to be plugged in.
Wash your clothes in cold water.
Use a refillable water bottle instead of buying and tossing plastic ones.
Use reusable shopping bags instead of the plastic or paper bags from stores.
Take a shorter shower.
Turn the water off while you're brushing you teeth.
Lower you thermostat in the winter or set the A/C higher in the summer.
Change your regular light bulbs to compact fluorescent bulbs.
Run your dishwasher only when it's full.
Turn down your water heater thermostat.
Recycle, recycle, recycle...aluminum, plastic, paper, glass, cardboard.
There are so many things you can do to help. Here is my challenge to you...Pick 1, 2 or 3 from the above list or come up with your own ideas and leave a comment in the comment section to tell me what you're going to do to make a difference. Every little bit helps! We only have one Earth, please take care of it!
In case you're wondering, I am pledging to do all of the above things. Practice what you preach!
Today is Earth Day. A day intended to inspire awareness of and appreciation for the Earth's environment. It's a day to look at what we are currently doing and what small changes we can each make to help save our planet. Not all of us are going to install solar panels on our house or start driving a hybrid car, but there are small things you can do to make a huge difference. Here are a few easy ideas...
Turn things off...lights, computers, TV's when they are not in use.
Unplug things...toasters, coffee pots, anything that doesn't need to be plugged in.
Wash your clothes in cold water.
Use a refillable water bottle instead of buying and tossing plastic ones.
Use reusable shopping bags instead of the plastic or paper bags from stores.
Take a shorter shower.
Turn the water off while you're brushing you teeth.
Lower you thermostat in the winter or set the A/C higher in the summer.
Change your regular light bulbs to compact fluorescent bulbs.
Run your dishwasher only when it's full.
Turn down your water heater thermostat.
Recycle, recycle, recycle...aluminum, plastic, paper, glass, cardboard.
There are so many things you can do to help. Here is my challenge to you...Pick 1, 2 or 3 from the above list or come up with your own ideas and leave a comment in the comment section to tell me what you're going to do to make a difference. Every little bit helps! We only have one Earth, please take care of it!
In case you're wondering, I am pledging to do all of the above things. Practice what you preach!
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Visiting Friends
We went to Wisconsin this weekend to visit our dear friends Ryan & Danette. They have 3 adorable children, Riley, Sydney & Sawyer. We had a blast seeing them and all the kids had so much fun playing together.
Here are the girls promoting the slogan 'Nothing Runs Like a Deere.'
Sawyer enjoyed swinging in the beautiful spring weather.
We got to explore their new town. It is a super cute town with lots of fun shops. The girls enjoyed skipping along the streets.
Last night after dinner was 'Happy Friends Movie Night'. They ate 3 bags of popcorn, giggled a lot and watched a fun movie while we sat on the deck playing pinochle, drinking 'big people' drinks and enjoying an awesome spring evening.
Nolan, Riley, Sydney & Aidyn
Here are the girls promoting the slogan 'Nothing Runs Like a Deere.'
Sawyer enjoyed swinging in the beautiful spring weather.
We got to explore their new town. It is a super cute town with lots of fun shops. The girls enjoyed skipping along the streets.
Last night after dinner was 'Happy Friends Movie Night'. They ate 3 bags of popcorn, giggled a lot and watched a fun movie while we sat on the deck playing pinochle, drinking 'big people' drinks and enjoying an awesome spring evening.
Nolan, Riley, Sydney & Aidyn
We all had so much fun (and we ate like Kings...Danette is an awesome cook!)! Thanks Ryan & Danette for a great weekend!
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Cartoon Cuddling
This is how Aidyn & Nolan were watching cartoons this morning. Snuggled up together on the couch, big sister with her arm around her little brother. So sweet.
And then minutes later Nolan started kicking the blanket off which made Aidyn mad. She started yelling at him and then he screamed back. A couple punches were thrown and now they are separated. Oh my sweet little babies, how quickly the peacefulness is shattered.
And then minutes later Nolan started kicking the blanket off which made Aidyn mad. She started yelling at him and then he screamed back. A couple punches were thrown and now they are separated. Oh my sweet little babies, how quickly the peacefulness is shattered.
Monday, April 14, 2008
A Night at the Circus
Friday night was a first for our kids...their first circus! We were in Fargo for the night on our way to a friends wedding and the circus was in town. So the 4 of us plus Kaitlyn & Sean went to the circus.
We saw lots of fun things including bears driving motorcycles...
Nolan spent most of the night with his mouth open, especially when the motorcycle guy came out. Actually it was the girl hanging underneath the motorcycle that he was most interested in. She was his favorite part of the circus (next to the random guy dressed up as Spider-Man wandering around during intermission).
We saw lots of fun things including bears driving motorcycles...
Nolan spent most of the night with his mouth open, especially when the motorcycle guy came out. Actually it was the girl hanging underneath the motorcycle that he was most interested in. She was his favorite part of the circus (next to the random guy dressed up as Spider-Man wandering around during intermission).
Aidyn's favorite part was riding the elephant with Kaitlyn. Both kids had a blast and were very tired the next morning from all the excitement, but it was worth it!
4 Things
4 CELEBRITIES THAT I DO NOT FIND ATTRACTIVE (So Stop Trying to Tell Me They are)
1. Johnny Depp
2. Angelina Jolie (those lips creep me out)
3. Tori Spelling
4. Tom Cruise
4 PLACES I WILL NEVER LIVE
1. Texas
2. Arkansas
3. North Korea
4. China
4 THINGS THAT ARE BETTER THAN THE ORIGINAL
1. Baked Lays vs. regular greasy Lays
2. compact cell phones vs. 'bag' phones
3. 'boy-shorts' underwear vs. granny panties
4. disposable diapers
4 PEOPLE I WOULD TAKE TO DINNER
1. Oprah
2. Jon Bon Jovi
3. Matt Lauer
4. Tom Brokaw
4 TIMES I BOUGHT INTO THE "HYPE"
1. American Idol
2. Blogging
3. Recycling (this is a good one though...)
4. low-rise jeans
4 TIMES I DID NOT BUY INTO THE "HYPE"
1. Texting
2. Atkins Diet
3. New Coke
4. animal print clothing
4 SONGS THAT I AM SLIGHTLY EMBARRASSED TO ADMIT I THOROUGHLY ENJOY
1. Slippery Fish
2. the theme song to The Facts of Life
3. the New Soul song they use for the Apple commercials
4. See You Again by Miley Cyrus
4 HAMBURGERS I ADORE
1. The Lions Tap burgers
2. My homemade pizza burgers
3. McDonalds Quarter-Pounder with cheese
4. Any sort of mushroom & swiss burger
I WOULD WALK ACROSS A DANGEROUS INTERSECTION TO SLAP THESE 4 PEOPLE
1. Elizabeth Hurley...I heard her say in an interview once that if she ever got to be a size 12, she would kill herself. Go for it honey...
2. Howard Stern
3. Rush Limbaugh
4. The person(s) who comes up with all those stupid email forward stories
4 IRRATIONAL FEARS THAT OCCASIONALLY AND UNSUSPECTINGLY POP INTO MY MIND
1. That there is someone under my bed about to grab my leg as I climb in
2. Getting smashed between two semi-trucks on the highway
3. rats, snakes, frogs...anything in the toilet
4. That someone is staking out my house
1. Johnny Depp
2. Angelina Jolie (those lips creep me out)
3. Tori Spelling
4. Tom Cruise
4 PLACES I WILL NEVER LIVE
1. Texas
2. Arkansas
3. North Korea
4. China
4 THINGS THAT ARE BETTER THAN THE ORIGINAL
1. Baked Lays vs. regular greasy Lays
2. compact cell phones vs. 'bag' phones
3. 'boy-shorts' underwear vs. granny panties
4. disposable diapers
4 PEOPLE I WOULD TAKE TO DINNER
1. Oprah
2. Jon Bon Jovi
3. Matt Lauer
4. Tom Brokaw
4 TIMES I BOUGHT INTO THE "HYPE"
1. American Idol
2. Blogging
3. Recycling (this is a good one though...)
4. low-rise jeans
4 TIMES I DID NOT BUY INTO THE "HYPE"
1. Texting
2. Atkins Diet
3. New Coke
4. animal print clothing
4 SONGS THAT I AM SLIGHTLY EMBARRASSED TO ADMIT I THOROUGHLY ENJOY
1. Slippery Fish
2. the theme song to The Facts of Life
3. the New Soul song they use for the Apple commercials
4. See You Again by Miley Cyrus
4 HAMBURGERS I ADORE
1. The Lions Tap burgers
2. My homemade pizza burgers
3. McDonalds Quarter-Pounder with cheese
4. Any sort of mushroom & swiss burger
I WOULD WALK ACROSS A DANGEROUS INTERSECTION TO SLAP THESE 4 PEOPLE
1. Elizabeth Hurley...I heard her say in an interview once that if she ever got to be a size 12, she would kill herself. Go for it honey...
2. Howard Stern
3. Rush Limbaugh
4. The person(s) who comes up with all those stupid email forward stories
4 IRRATIONAL FEARS THAT OCCASIONALLY AND UNSUSPECTINGLY POP INTO MY MIND
1. That there is someone under my bed about to grab my leg as I climb in
2. Getting smashed between two semi-trucks on the highway
3. rats, snakes, frogs...anything in the toilet
4. That someone is staking out my house
Friday, April 04, 2008
Aidyn's live doll
It seems Aidyn & Nolan were playing dress-up during quiet time today. Nolan appears to be a cross between Tarzan and Paris Hilton.
Last day of gymnastics
Yesterday was the last day of gymnastics for the kids. On the way in, Nolan heard the birds singing so we had to stop and listen. I love how he "listens".
Nolan with his 'All Star Gymnast' ribbon. He was very proud.
Here Aidyn's teacher was trying to convince her to flip all the way over the bar. She listened intently, but decided against it. She's really good at holding herself up on the bar though!
Here is Aidyn working on her back flips. It's quite a contraption that they use to help teach them.
Aidyn with her 'Star Gymnast' ribbon, she was also very proud.
Nolan with his 'All Star Gymnast' ribbon. He was very proud.
Here Aidyn's teacher was trying to convince her to flip all the way over the bar. She listened intently, but decided against it. She's really good at holding herself up on the bar though!
Here is Aidyn working on her back flips. It's quite a contraption that they use to help teach them.
Aidyn with her 'Star Gymnast' ribbon, she was also very proud.
Tuesday, April 01, 2008
Twins Opener
Last night we ventured out in a March snow storm to take in the Twins season opener. The kids were so excited, they had their new shirts on the minute they got up yesterday morning. 
They were both convinced they were going to catch a ball, so they brought their gloves with. No such luck though. Instead they enjoyed an evening of pizza, hot dogs, cotton candy and oh yeah...baseball. The Twins played a good game and won against the Anaheim Angels. Jeff & I didn't really get to see a lot of the game since we were the ones in the 40 minute line for pizza, hot dogs, etc. But we all had fun, well everyone except maybe the guy in front of us who got ice dropped down the back of his pants by our little Nolan. But everyone else had fun!
They were both convinced they were going to catch a ball, so they brought their gloves with. No such luck though. Instead they enjoyed an evening of pizza, hot dogs, cotton candy and oh yeah...baseball. The Twins played a good game and won against the Anaheim Angels. Jeff & I didn't really get to see a lot of the game since we were the ones in the 40 minute line for pizza, hot dogs, etc. But we all had fun, well everyone except maybe the guy in front of us who got ice dropped down the back of his pants by our little Nolan. But everyone else had fun!
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