They're Done!

           Here's the finished bar/counters that Greg made for our kitchen. It's been so nice having more open space in the kitchen.

And this is McClane trying to prolong his nap wherever he can.

      Now bring on Easter Weekend and Spring Break.

Project #!?

          If you've ever been in my kitchen you know it's tiny and it really shrinks when we all try to congregate for meal time. The saddest part is the space, or lack of space, for a kitchen table. Greg and I have discussed this problem many a time and we have finally decided to actually do something about it.
           We've thought of several options but this is the one we landed on and hopefully it will work for a long time coming. We've decided to eliminate the table altogether and just build more counter space for the kids to eat around. We found an incredible deal on barstools and bought eight of them and last Saturday Greg started the construction of two big countertops. We used a photo of a table Greg found on Pinterest a while back as our starting point but of course he altered it to two tall countertops. The counters are nearly done Greg just has to sand them a little bit more and stain them and finish them off with some water resistant covering. I can't wait for the more open fill in my kitchen and the better use of the space. And if we ever do want the use of a table all we have to do is put those two countertops together and sit around them like a table. These extra countertops will also be great for making a buffet when we have family and friends over during the summertime and just need a place to line food up before going outside to eat.

The beginning stages after quite a bit of thinking on Greg's part. ( I guess constructing something from nothing isn't as easy as I'd thought.)

It's looking good.

Seriously, I'm convinced Greg can do practically anything I ask him to and all I really have to do is supervise and maybe nag a tiny little bit:-)

Obviously this is the rough finish but we wanted to get an idea of how they were going to fit in the kitchen.

I'm super happy with even this rough look.  And of course the shiny new stools add a little pizazz.

And the inspiration for it all is this little beauty.  (I'm sure glad Greg is such a lover of  Pinterest even if he does refuse to get his own account!)

And who can resist this little handsome helper!?

          Hopefully my new counters will be done today and I'll try to remember to post the finished photos next week.

Is this really happening!?

        Are my eyes deceiving me or is our trampoline being put up?  And is that a lawn instead of snow everywhere?!  I was convinced I'd never see grass out my back window again, thank you sun for giving me new hope and making it possible for my family to play outside again, oh how I've missed having the kids outside instead of inside causing trouble and messing up my house!

The kids started the process so Greg had no choice but to jump in and help.

It didn't take long at all with so many helping hands.

What did we ever do without this fun contraption!?

       Now we just need a new deck (which is ordered and on the way) without all the holes and hopefully this trampoline will last us many years.  YEAH for SPRING and warmer weather!!!

Basketball....

     Is over! Both Mark and Isaac played this season and did quite well. Isaac's team won nearly all of their games and Isaac typically made at least one shot per game and played great defense. Mark's team went to the playoffs but unfortunately only won one of those games. The game I went to was so intense! It was tied at the last 30 seconds and the other team threw up a shot from the three point line and it was nothing but net and just complete craziness. Even though it was a tough loss for Mark's team you had to give it to the other team for that amazing winning shot at the buzzer.
     Here are just a few shots of Isaac at his last basketball game. Unfortunately I didn't take any pictures of Mark but I know Greg has video that I might be able to post in the future.

Here he's playing some great defense even if it is against his own team mate during their half time break.

     So now that basketball season is over we'll be heading into baseball season.  Isaac opted not to play this season, which I was fine with but Carter and Mark definitely wanted to play so we'll look forward to watching them play in the next few months.

Tears of joy or sadness?!

     Today was the big day where we got to find out if this baby I'm growing is a boy or girl.  It was also the day we found out if Kayli would remain living here in our house or moving in with her best friend.  Here's a short video clip of us announcing the news to the kids, mainly Kayli.  Warning, there are tears!

And here's a little more proof that it's really a girl baby.  The second picture down has typed on there "I'm a girl" in case you can't see it on these tiny photos.

Well I'm sure you can imagine we're all pretty excited for different reasons to have another baby in the family.  Next month we'll have the official ultrasound that checks all the crucial stuff but so far she looks healthy and I feel great and a baby is always a blessing no matter what the gender.