Remodeling Projects

We have officially remodeled every square inch of our house!  We have touched every surface including the ceiling (except for two closets that still need painting) and now we are done!  Matt did everything himself except for installing the linoleum and carpet.  I only assisted in cheerleading, a little painting and caring for the boys so it could get done.  Here are some pictures. 

The fireplace.  I have searched all over for the before picture because this was quite a dramatic change, but I can't find it.  Please envision red brick, dinky dark brown shelf, cement slab bench with nothing underneath.

The kitchen.  It was the original kitchen and stove.  The cabinets had been badly painted white and the countertops were yellow and the stove was orange.  

The windows.  Previously there were two single pane windows.  They were so ugly I could hardly stand it.  Now, they are beautiful, they are no longer a fire hazard and they have beautiful white trim.

The bathroom.  Again it is a shame I can't find the before pictures because this was quite the change a well.

Our bedroom.  We haven't hung the mirror yet, but I love our new furniture.  It has so much storage space and everything seems so nice and clean!

Ethan's bedroom.

Cole's bedroom.  We went with a baseball theme.  I am a little sad because we did this before he got into batman and I think I would have changed themes!

A Baby Shower

Living in Seattle has changed me.  I live around a lot of women who are really talented when it comes to decorating and throwing  a party.  I have worked with them in various capacities and have learned a thing or two.  Four years ago I would have marched down to the local party shop or better yet the dollar store and picked up a few cups and plates for a party and called it good. 

Now I do this.

My friend that helped had taken pictures of the baby so we used that for our decorations!

And I also made a tutu for the present.  It even matched the decorating.

A few things worth noting.

1.  Ethan peed in the potty....twice!  He keeps asking to go by pulling his shirt up and walking towards the pot (such a boy!)  I think he has now figured it out because he actually made himself go tonight.  Kind of funny.  He is really little.  

2.  I had the best idea ever!  We have issues with Cole eating dinner so I told him we were going to play a game.  He had to close his eyes and guess what I was putting in his mouth!  He ate a mixture of chicken, beans, corn and seasoning.  One time he peaked, saw the beans and said he didn't want to eat it.  I said oops, put it back in the bowl until his eyes were closed and he ate it!

3.  Matt has finished painting all the door and window trim in the front living space.  

4.  I went to a "Total Body Workout" at the gym and couldn't walk for a day.  It kicked my patooty.

Science Center

We went to the Science Center for the first time and the kids loved it!  They have a tide pool.

We went with our friends Lilian, Anna and Leah.
They have a butterfly house which was very cool.  Ethan kept trying to pick them up!  
Cole is in the flight simulator.
Ethan is crawling in the dinosaur print. 

A Separate Vacation Together

This last weekend Matt and I got to go Utah BY OURSELVES! We left the boys with some friends and took off.  Matt got to go skiing and I got to spend time without someone touching me 24 hours a day.  It was great!  I saw two movies (one with Matt), got my hair done (thanks T), spent time with family and ate some good food.

We went the weekend that Matt's niece and two nephews got baptized. It was great to see their smiling faces. Congratulations Aislyn, Kimball and Adam.

We got to see all of Matt's family at the baptism.

We had a family dinner with my family the Sunday before we came home.  It was so nice to see everyone!

While we were gone Seth and Amy watched Cole and Ethan.  The day before we left they both got sick so they had to also take care of them more than they bargained for.  Cole was great at talking on the phone and telling us all about the things he was doing.  I'm not sure they realized that we were gone because they were having so much fun.  

Cole even made a move on Jayne!  

Thanks Seth and Amy for letting us have a worry free vacation!

25 random things

I have been secretly hoping to be tagged since I joined the blogging world and finally was on Facebook! So, here we go.

1.   I had wanted to marry Matt at a very young age so with a little manipulation and persuasion I got him to take a class with me where you had to study together on your homework.  We were dating within two months!  

2.  Most of our dating took place via letters for three years and then we were crazy like and got married three months after being reunited. 

3.  Marrying Matt  remains the best decision of my life.

4.  I learned Spanish in Spain on a mission for the LDS church and I get to go back there this May!

5.  Because I learned Spanish I ended up getting my degree in it.  I was supposed to do Spanish Teaching but dropped out of the program my last semester because I had been sick with Epstein Bar for two years.  It was a great decision. 

6.  I thought maybe I would have a tough time getting a job after I graduated with my degree, but ended up getting into HR which is something I love!

7.  I have fired several people.  A few reasons include: drugs abuse, sexual harassment and stealing.

8.  I have had mono/epstein bar twice.  I think I have been sick for probably at least five years of my life in total.

9.  I have had various jobs over the last few years working form home, but currently work as a resume writer.  

10.  I have extremely high arches and just got myself some orthotics.

11.  I always enjoyed school and apparently I used to do my older sisters homework everyday because I wanted to learn the information a grade ahead.

12.  I once met Ross Perot in Washington DC at the Flight Museum.  He even posed for a picture with me.

13.  I have had eye surgery several times without any medication.

14.  My boys share the same birthday.  

15.  I love to keep a clean house but that has been seriously impeded with two active boys.

16.  I have a weakness for doughnuts.  I always want to buy them at the store when I am on a diet or hungry.

17.  I love to read.

18.  I love to travel.

19.  I tried out to be on Wheel of Fortune but only made it to round two.  I have wanted to be on Wheel of Fortune since I was little and attempted to try out before but got in a car accident.  Maybe the time is not right just yet.  

20.  I will try anything with heights.  I once repelled face first off an open edge.  i will go on any roller coaster.  I hope to sky dive and bungee jump.

21.  I enjoy public speaking.

22.  I covet people with thick hair.

23.  People would probably call me a picky eater.  I don't eat much fish, mushrooms, olives (especially green ones), celery, avocado, and I have issues with cheese.

24.  I love to grow vegetables, but I haven't been very successful in Seattle.

25.  I am generally a happy person and I giggle when I am nervous.