Back again!

Well... I'm back again... Going to attempt to keep up this blog better ! we have had a great 2nd half of 2011- lots of changes for our family! we moved earlier in the fall - sold our big beautiful house for a smaller, older home- why? we really didn't need so much space or a pool. we really needed more USABLE space (cabinet space and storage) and we really needed a backyard!
It's truly amazing how God has his hand in everything. Not only did everything go so smoothly with selling our house, but he really protected us with purchasing a new home with ALL our needs met! we had put in an offer on another home (great backyard, great layout, but needed lots of updating) & were in the last day of our option period when we found out that home needed $12000 worth of foundation repair (on top of updates!) we backed out at 4:40 pm that day. we were down to the wire on time (10 days out from closing on our home) and just happened to look at 1 house that popped up on the market recently. It had no pictures online, but was right in our price range- not only did it have the 3 bedrooms we needed, but also an office area for me, a rear entry garage with a privacy electric gate, a backyard for the boys but it was almost finished from being completely renovated! it has wood floors through out, granite countertops, a few walls knocked down to open things up, updated bathrooms and an extended master closet. I can't express enough how thankful I am for a loving god who even knew the little things i desired in a house including an older home, closet pantry, new appliances, multiple hall closets, a black front door AND black shutters! (I'm not
Picky at ALL am I???)and guess what- I got every one of those things in this house!
We did a few projects before we moved in that included taking down wood paneling in the kitchen, taking down 1960's scalloped trim, adding crown molding, new cabinet doors, and paint.
What's left on our list to do still is update the windows and build a shed out back & update the landscaping.... But we are moved in and absolutely love our new home! OH, to top it off- we are 1 block from my brother!



Here is the kitchen/eating area before we had the paneling taken down (gag!!)



In process




prOjects complete!




Scallop trim is gone & added molding is up




Kitchen area




Up close of the inset glass in the built in buffet cabinets (can we say LOVE?!?)




Sink area




Stove, oven & pantry area (microwave to be installed soon!)




Kitchen looks over into the living room

So that's it for now- I should really take more pictures but we need to get things on the walls first!


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Time flies!!!

I have no excuse for not blogging.... It's the usual- daily chaos. my kids, my husband, my work, my craft, the remaining existence of my social life all keep me busy.

here's what my blog has missed out on:

We had a beautiful fall & Halloween.











I went on my first quilt retreat-
1 of 3 quilts I worked on)





The Rangers went to the World Series & my brother popped the question to his girlfriend!






I had an awesome harvest out of my garden (picture shows about 1/3 of it- here you see Basil, arugula, carrots & Swiss chard)






Looked at lots of Christmas lights & come to find out maddox doesn't care for cold weather






Christmas cards were a big fat fail this year.






Found someone passed out in my closet...






Mason turned 4! and I made superhero capes for the kids. Maddox loves to swing at the park!





Mason & I had a date at Casa Mañana




Mason discovered milk @ Starbucks



We had a skinny tree this year & an awesome Christmas!


Had tea parties with dee dee @ nana's house over Christmas break



Had lots of fun with the cousins in town



Gavin discovered Angry Birds





We had playdates with my favorite niece!



Gavin flew the remote control helicopter into Mason's face


Maddox discovered his love for books



I made Rosie's baby bedding for my nephew :)


And we hosted a baby shower for mommy to be!



We had quite a few snow days & got super silly



My mind has already blocked out those snow days... Guess it's too traumatic for this southern California girl!


We watched the superbowl halftime show @ our neighbors


Celebrated my 29th Birthday AGAIN ;)







My baby turned 2!



Got lots of love from my 3 favorite kiddos



We've had some amazing spring weather...







Mason discovered frozen yogurt



Taught mason I'm not the only one who is going to clean up after him...


Jes & I went to the Dallas Quilt show & I guess we can say I outshopped her ;)



Hung out with papa Tony



Loved ON our sweet girl Shelby




And yesterday we welcome our newest family member- my nephew Ethan!!!














- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

60 Years!

Last weekend we had a great weekend with Gavin's family staying at the Gaylord Texan. It was a surprise celebration weekend for Gavin's grandparents & boy did we surprise them. Gavin's cousins, Aunt & Uncle came into town from Alabama & his other uncle from Connecticut. We then surprised Granma & Pop pop & whisked them away for the weekend. I think Mason had the most fun @ the Gaylord. He says he misses the hotel now. haha Our 2nd night there he was so worn out, he actually asked to go to bed! The boys had tons of fun running around with their 2nd cousins. Can't wait for them to come back at Christmas!




View from our room- a wedding!


Deedee & Mason checking out the trains


Laying out by the coldest pool in Texas!


Mason & Papaw enjoying the balcony.


L to R: Gavin, Maddox, Me, Chris, papaw Tony, Dee, uncle Ted, Uncle Bill, Libby & Kathryn.
Down front is Nana, Mason, Pop pop & Keira


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone