She Turned One

I forgot to post the pictures from Sugar's first birthday (April 25). No presents, just cake--and cuteness, of course.

Good First Impressions

My house has never looked "like me". But I was 8 months pregnant when we moved in and I never got a breath between babies and school...until now. Earlier in the year we re-did the master bath. But as summer approached and school drew to an end, I let my mind indulge in thinking about my house--bigger projects in my house. Where to start? Walk-in closets, garage organization, play room ceiling, school room?

I decided that the thing I wanted to change first is the first impression that I get when I walk in my front door. When we moved in I liked the gray walls and thought that framed black and whites would look sophisticated. I never put up the black and whites, and gray is just dark. Also, nothing but yellow, mauve and rust go with it. Bleh!

But I didn't start with the walls. I started by ripping the disgusting carpet off the stairs. That's right, just ripped it right off and hauled it to the trash can. I pulled out the staples and tack strips and filled in the nail holes. Paint, here I come.


Before.

But looking at those naked stairs surrounded by all that drab, dark, gray paint made me move in a different direction. Paint? Yes, still paint, but not on the stairs. Walls.


Protesters. They didn't want me to ruin their sliding fun--footie pajamas and carpeted stairs. Sorry, guys!


After

So I went to Home Depot and bought MDF and had the guy there cut two sheets into 2 in. strips and one sheet into 4 in. strips. Then I bought a nail gun combo that comes with a compressor and finish, brad and staple guns. (BIG SMILE) Then I measured and cut and painted and nailed.


Off we go.


All three colors on the wall.

And now I have an entryway that is white on white board and batten (pictures soon to come). So much more inviting than pencil lead gray. I just have to fill nail holes and touch up.

Next, the 18' stairwell,the board and batten up the stairs, then the stairs.

Maybe I'll get to the garage and the closet and the kitchen by the end of the summer. It just feels good to have the time to focus on this house and finally make it mine.

Documentary of a Stinker

What? I'm innocent, Mom.



But now I have an idea.



See, Mom, I'm just leaning. Are you going to keep smiling, Mom?



If...I...can...just...reach...



Oh, yeah.



Triumph!



That cute, little stinker.

Lego Kid

Shakespeare loves building with Legos. Here's a sampling of his creativity.
It's a chariot.



See that tooth? It is begging to be yanked. He wiggles that dern thing all the time. Soon there will be no wiggly teeth. Sigh.

The Rest of the Story

Yep, we had snakes. Thankfully, we also have Rex! Rex used to work for a zoo and help people handle the snakes. He also worked in the army with animals. So, whenever we need snake removal or a bomb dog, we call Rex. If you don't have a friend like this, I would recommend finding one. To say the least, we were thankful for his unique set of skills.

The snakes were after the baby birds that are in the fern on our porch. The chicks hatched about three weeks ago. Hence, the snake climbing up the side of the house.











Now the black racers (not poisonous) live in another woods!

Thank you, Rex!

What's Wrong with this picture?

Use your "Where's Waldo" eyes and find two things that do NOT belong in this picture.

Beach Bums

We took the motor home to the beach last weekend. Apart from constant wind, it was lovely. No crowds yet, but still warm.

Little man only needs sand to keep him occupied.



Sometimes big men enjoy it too.

One

Sugar turned one on the 25th. We did not buy even one present. We only had a cake. So here's Sugar enjoying her sweets.

A Fishy Story

Because men like to be manly--and because I can't possibly do the trip justice:

Click here to experience Jon's fishing outing.

Shon already did the work of posting pictures and writing about it. Yea! Thanks, Shon!

Water Fun

Water!



Water + swings!



Water + swings + kids!



Water + swings + kids = great fun!