Art Contest

Last month the kids competed in their schools art contest. Everyone who entered got a free dinner from Texas Roadhouse (love that place!!!) so Riley and Samantha were entering whether they liked it or not. ;) I did let them choose what they wanted to do and only got the supplies ready for them. They were given the theme "I Wish..." from Wellsville Elementary and I was proud of what they came up with.

Riley decided to hang our front door Valentines heart on the rock of our house and then snapped this picture.

It took a few tries to get the heart in the middle. Then I showed her how to change the contrast in photoshop and she altered it just how she wanted to.

It turned out pretty good and she ended up taking 1st place in the photography catagory out of the K-2nd graders. She was one happy cookie. It was titled, "A Cupid's Wish".

Sammie come up with a more complex idea that required many more supplies. She wanted to make a mobile where fish were swimming around. She spent a lot of time on her project as she is very detail oriented. She even stuffed her fish with toiler paper so they would be round. It was REALLY hard to not help her as she became frustrated a number of times so I was hoping she would be rewarded for all her hard work. We (meaning I) was nervous when we walked in to see the displays as there were TONS of entries in her catagorie of 3D art but were excited to found out she had won 2nd place out of K-2nd grade. Phew! Out of all this I just really wanted her to learn that hard work can pay off. Her title was "Under the Wishing Well".

Texas Roadhouse here we come!!!

Junk in my Trunk

Actually it's not so much my trunk as it is my garage. And it's actually not all junk either. Since moving I've found that much of my previous home decor just doesn't work in my new home. Plus there's just a bunch of stuff that I'm trying to clean out that I don't use or need so if you like to go a garage sellin' on Saturday's I've got a hot spot for you. A few neighbors and I have pulled together and are throwing a big GARAGE SALE on Saturday, June 11th from 7-11 a.m. Just tryin' to spread the word.

Have a wonderful rest of your day!

We're Still Married!

So we stood the test of a successful marriage. We were able to build a house without beating, strangling, leaving, or screaming at each other. Okay, maybe just a little of that last one. ;) About 3 weeks ago we moved into our finished product (minus a yard).

Good work Luv! He spent many hours there (as well as his Dad who pretty much deserves half our home). Thanks to all our family and friends who pitched in on various projects. You guys rock! We are VERY grateful for the love and support!

Getting caught up on our lives other than house stuff for the past 5 months is too overwhelming so I'm just starting with the present.

Sam has been taking Dance at Tueller's this year and has turned into quite the dancer. At her recent revue she hardly looked at the instructor as she did her 3 dances. I was impressed! We came home and found her dance music online and now I get mini-revues at home. Hopefully she decides to stick with this since it seems to be her calling. She's a very shy little girl but feels right at home on the stage or when she is giving a "show".

Ms. Sammie Baldwin in her Hip Hop costume.

Resting up before her ballet number.

Posing with her cousin Sophie. They have become little buddies. It'll be fun to have them in the same dance class one day.

A Peek Inside

We're getting close! Our walls are painted and the tile is done and we are just waiting on cabinets, counters, and carpet. We have a ton of light fixtures, plugs, and light switches to install which will take a little while but that's about it. Here are a few inside pictures (before the tile was done).

Front Entry/Living Rm. - Here's the corner where the baby grand piano goes. The front door will be stained darker as well.

Backing out of the living room you see the stairs and the beginning of the family room. The thick column will be wrapped in the same rustic cherry wood as my cabinets and there will be an iron spindle railing attached to it.

The rest of the family room.



Dining/Kitchen - this is all tiled now. It turned out great! It's all shades of brown and has a marble look to it.



Stair wells - Standing in the family room you can see the stairs going both up and down.


Top of the stairs - I have a big pendant light going here and I'm looking forward to seeing how it turns out.

Master bedroom - We set it apart by vaulting the ceiling as much as our attic allowed.

Master Bath - Our vanity is 8 ft. long (hello counterspace!!!) and will be on the left. No more fighting for mirror space. We've been squeezing into a small 18" mirror for the past 7 months and it aint pretty.

Best part is the closet. Its not in this picture but it's large and I'm in love.

The girls room. I love these windows! It sets their room apart plus I don't have to get blinds for them since they are so high up and on the top floor.

And that concludes our tour. ;) I've wanted to put up an updated picture of the outside but there's always trucks, machinery and dumpsters out front that block the view so I haven't gotten a great snap shot yet. Hopefully I can get one soon.