Huh?

Jenna is totally perplexed as to how she ended up covered in chocolate...candy thief! 

The Hunt is Over

I have been searching and searching for a console table to go underneath our TV and have not been able to find anything I like that was less a grand. Well, after weeks of looking, we have VICTORY! and I am in love. We found this beauty at a garage sale last weekend and I'm thrilled. It has beautiful details, including the hardware. It's not too wide and had a lot of storage space, which I needed for our DVD collection. It has already been repainted but it's a grayish color that really wasn't going to work around in the room, so I decided to repaint and glaze. 

I also painted the brass hardware with Rustoleum Oil-Rubbed Bronze spray paint and then used Rub 'N Buff in Patina to give it that aged look. I then scrapped the wax and paint off along the edges so that the bronze would shine through. I couldn't be happier with how they turned out. 

I spray painted the unit with Rustoleum Heirloom White and then glazed with a custom brown glaze from Kwal that we used on our walls. The glaze is pretty subtle because I chose not to sand down the until to add to the aged look. I wanted it to stay pretty clean... 

...and I love it! 

We're Not in Kansas Anymore!

Jenna and I joined Papa Nick and Grandma Liisa for a trip to Kansas to visit Papa Stu and maybe look at some investment property to buy out there. We had a fun couple of days. Stuart had to still work the whole time but that was okay. Gave us some time to explore Kansas, where I felt like I had gone back in time and was exploring quintessential Americana; red farm house barns, random run down pianos in burnt out houses, a classic truck junk yard in the middle of nowhere, and some of the most beautiful sunsets we have ever seen. Plus, a little shopping thrown in there for good measure. It was a really fun trip and it was so nice to get to see how Stuey is living. We miss him so much! 

If she's not on one plane, she's on another...

Nick and Liisa ended up buying this house. It was a cute little 900 sq ft home.

I picked up this fabulous little Michael Kors rain coat for a dream while we were there. Who would have guessed? 

Go Cats!

We did a quick overnight to Ogden for a Weber State basketball game and Jenna was in heaven. She must have yelled "Go Cats" a thousand times. Casey's heart nearly burst with pride! How cute is she in this cheerleader uniform? Honestly...

I Suppose We Should Open Christmas Presents...

So with all the remodel madness going on, our family's presents got put in the guest room and forgotten. That is until Jenna stumbled upon them last night,  started bringing them into the living room and unwrapping them. {if she hadn't my guess is they would have continued to sit there for months...totally spaced it} And who could so no to that cute little face?! Jenna got a Winnie the Pooh book and Blu-Ray from Santa Claus. From Mom and Dad she got a new blanket and sheets for her bed, a couple books and some clothes. Merry Christmas everyone. 

{He's the cutest!}

Remodel Day Nineteen and Twenty

One of our biggest concerns about this house was just how low the wall in the back yard is. It was crucial for both Casey and I that we made increasing the wall a priority. Budget wise, it means that others things are going to have to wait, like base and case, and flooring in the playroom. But when all was said and done, we are so glad we made the choice we did. 

BACKYARD SIDE WALL BEFORE: 

BACKYARD SIDE WALL AFTER:  

BACKYARD BACK WALL BEFORE:

BACKYARD BACK WALL AFTER:

Remodel Day Eighteen

I started changed out all of the switches and outlets. The electrical outlets in this house were so old that when you would plug something in, it would immediately slide right back out. It was so frustrating when you were trying to use a power tool and couldn't ever get any power...

We also started changing out all of the light fixtures. A big thank you to Papa Stuart for all of your help, Mr. I Can Do Anything! 

Now that we actually have flooring, We brought in some of our furnishings. It's starting to feel like a home around here...finally!

Remodel Day Sixteen and Seventeen

As of 730pm the floor is finally back in place. It took me twice as long as I thought it would but hey, at least it's finished.

Meet my nemisis! This mfing, sons a bitches, POS, hallway nearly broke me. My mind, body, and spirit is completely depleated after having to relay is 4 times before it all fit together properly with all 5 door ways. Thanks go once again to Nick Frei, who saved me more than once and helped me get it done. And a special thank you to Heather Kearl for letting me borrow her precious saw.

 So....I ran out of flooring and had to steal it from Jenna's play room. (BTW, when all was said and done, we ended up with exactly one left over full piece of flooring) Now we have a blank canvas that needs flooring. So many options, so little money!

Riding The Horseys

Liisa called us this afternoon and told us that Nick was saddling up the horses for their grandkids to ride them and invited Jenna down to join them. We felt like this was an opportunity for Jenna that we just couldn't pass up. So we took a break from our working around the house and headed down the hill. Jenna is such an animal lover and she didn't seem to have any fear whatsoever. We started by just letting her stand next to another horse. She was ready to ride pretty quickly. So away we went....she had a total blast. Thanks for the memories, Papa Nick and Grandma Liisa!