2010 Highlight -- Team Sports

This was the year we decided we could manage adding team sports to our calendar. It was a stretch. Team sports are not in our box, as it were. They take up a lot of time and game time is not always the same time. But this was the year. We felt it was important for the girls to try a sport, be part of a team. And, you know what, it's been so fun!

Catherine started us off with soccer this fall. Catherine always had a smile on her face and was eager to learn new skills. She made some sweet friends and we all look forward to spring soccer starting in a few weeks.

Chloe has played basketball for the winter season. She's young for her team but she's learning the basics. Next year, she may be a force to be reckoned with.

Madelyn also decided on playing basketball this winter. Her age group is much more aggressive and fast-paced. Madelyn plays some mean defense and is willing to try anything her coach suggests, including stealing the ball from the largest kid on the other team.

We're really proud of our girls for their willingness to try something new and their winning spirits.

2010 Highlight -- Camping

Yes, I know that 2010 has been over for almost a month now but I wanted to share some of our 2010 highlights. By far, our favorite part of 2010 was camping. We bought a travel trailer days before 2010 began and had a blast using it throughout the year. We drove from coast to coast, racked up more than 15,000 miles, and spent 62 nights (except Mark who returned home to work during part of our trip east) in our rig.

Our final trip for the year was to Alamogordo. We spent three nights there just before Christmas, just after the kitchen was done.

Our first stop was the park. They had a great one!

Our six little monkeys. Seth was not participating in family photos this weekend. He generally was sporting a frown. We almost got him in this one.
We then spent two days at White Sands National Monument. It was awesome! The weather was around 60 degrees and we went barefoot as we explored the dunes.
The kids rolled down the dunes...
And made sand angels...
And went sledding...
And jumping...
Finally a smile from Seth!
Our second day's picture is probably better but it was cooler when we arrived so we look a little chilly.
The fast sledding duo of Catherine & Madelyn
So much fun!
This year our plans won't accrue as many miles but we sure hope to make as many memories!

Worth the price of admission

We went to Family Night at our local Red Robin last Wednesday and WOW, what a deal! We got there just as the face painter got started. Everyone got to pick their design and they all were stunning!




We also were visited by a table-side balloon artist. So, face painting for five, balloon animals for six, and a meal for eight all for the value on our gift card! What a deal!

Happy New Year!

I hate when I get this far behind on my blogging. We've had some technical difficulties with our wireless over the last few weeks. It's been super frustrating to try to load pictures and have the internet cut out just when I'm sure it's about to be done with the upload or as I've been trying to search for kitchen accessories and have the internet cut out just as the perfect utensil bar rack is about to reveal itself. Anyway, it's all better now.

I wanted to wish everyone a Happy Belated New Year! We had a great time ringing in 2011 complete with honkers and blowers and sparkling cider. The best part was we were still in bed by 10 pm. Having east coast roots makes a 10 p.m. New Year justifiable doesn't it?

Harrison was a big fan of the cider!Now what to do about all the stuff I missed posting in 2010. Do I ignore it and move on with 2011? Do I post it and put 2011 stuff on hold? I thought about re-instituting Flashback Friday but I'm not sure I want to drag 2010 out for the next three months. Ideas anyone?

Kitchen Remodeling -- Weeks 11 & 12

Well, I think we've crossed the finish line on our 12-week kitchen renovation. Check it out!

BEFORE (of the south wall and old island):
AFTER:
BEFORE (of west wall):
AFTER:
Week 11 started with a flurry of activity as the countertops and appliances went in. We rolled from one crisis to the next and didn't escort the last of the help out until after 8:30 p.m.

Then we escaped. We headed out for three nights in our trailer to clear our heads and reconnect as a family. We came home and have since been moving into our new kitchen, organizing and reorganizing. We've trimmed, puttied, caulked, and hung lights. We still need the dishwasher panels and a second pendant light but we're feeling pretty good about how the project turned out.

Now, to get to the serious business of cooking! Ah, my first New Year's Resolution.

Kitchen Remodeling -- Weeks 9 & 10

This was supposed to be the big reveal post. You know the one showing the before and the after. The one where you, my loyal audience, ooohs and aaahs and marvels at our clever design and industriousness. Alas, you'll have to wait another week.

We were moving along right on schedule. The cabinet install got done. The electrical work got done. The holes in the wall got patched...twice. The template was done for the granite. The appliances were scheduled for delivery. Of course all these things required at least five phone calls and being home as much as possible in case someone stopped by to do something.

We built out the pantry last weekend. It came out great, don't you think? I can't wait to move into it. I've never had so much food storage space. Until I can start canning, I think I'm going to need to make a huge Costco run to fill it.
This Wednesday we hit the snag. The granite folks called to tell us that the machine that performs the final process on the stone BROKE! The message was that the part would be in tomorrow because they would certainly have us installed by Friday (only one day late). OK. We could still keep our plans to go camping on Monday. Then, the part was delayed another day but they would surely install Saturday because that's what they do when they inconvenience folks. On Friday, the plan changed yet again and the new plan is to install Monday morning. The excuse: Our island rock weighs 1,000 pounds and they couldn't get enough installers together to bring it Saturday.

Of course, for every push in schedule from the granite folks comes a push in schedule with the appliance folks. We've daily been begging to get on the schedule and that's gotten harder as we've gotten closer to Christmas when apparently EVERYONE wants their appliances delivered. Ugh!

So now we're attempting to make the most of our wait. You know, take lots of Tylenol, put up the Christmas tree, take cues from our kids that Christmas is around the corner and is a reason to celebrate.

We're on the schedule to have granite installed Monday morning and the appliances Monday afternoon. We're leaving Tuesday for a much needed escape from this craziness and frustration. Well, at least that's the plan today.

Kitchen Remodeling -- Week 6 thru 8

The pace of our kitchen remodeling really picked up in Week 6. We had electrical work done...
And plumbing...
And sheetrocking...
And we had the wood on the ceiling sandblasted. The sandblasting gave the kitchen a major face lift. Our kitchen actually felt like new construction. Of course the dirt and sand that filled the rest of the house reminded us otherwise. But it really served as the turning point from the depression of demo to the excitement of what's to come.

We spent Week 7, also known as Thanksgiving week, starting to put things back together. The walls were textured. I stained the ceiling in one very long, very stinky day. Mark laid the tile and I painted.
Mark grouted and the girls helped clean. That's always such a drag. It takes so many passes with the sponge to get that 'new tile' feel. By Sunday of Thanksgiving weekend we were exhausted and sore, but we were ready for Week 8.
Week 8 brought cabinets! Yes, cabinets. It took us nine months to decide on which cabinets to buy and it was so worth it. They are beautiful!
After the first day of installation, it's starting to look like we have a kitchen again.
Week 9 will bring the rest of the cabinet install, drywall patching, electrical finish work and hopefully the beginning of a pantry. We're getting near the end. This whole kitchen remodel has been a taxing process to be sure but one we hope our family will enjoy for years to come.