Our Home

We have been working all week on our house and it is slowly getting there! We have painted and painted again. We have done crafts, built things, and cleaned. AND WE LOVE IT! It's still not complete, but it is sooo much closer!

Entry - we painted, hung things on wall, and put together the black shoe storage
another picture so that you can see what the dogs leashed hang on...lil dog butts

our homemade art in the bathroom
washcloth holder
all things Asian themed, notice my bamboo frame on the mirror (another homemade craft)
yet another homemade item, our new rug that I made

I also made our pillows

trying to show the red detail in the rugs hem

we moved Davis's desk to the living room so that he has a better view

we bought my kitchen island (once the top is clean I will post a picture, but I have been using it as a sewing table) and attached rails to the bottom to hold my Le Creuset (thanks Mary, Mom, and Mamaw)!

pillows

Beast in his new jacket

Belle tried it on too

random picture of me and Sushil at Freddo's home warming
my husband is an amazing painter....this is our living room
because everyone should be able to see this when they wake up!

Vivian Being Cute

I had to post pictures of Viv's new hat that I crocheted for her. It is already missing a braided tie, but that is an easy fix....the problem is she grows so fast! I don't think it is going to fit her long.

cheeeeessse

enjoying life

Our Christmas Dinner

We had rib roast, crispy potatoes, carrots, corn, and peach cobbler with ice cream! It was my first time cooking a roast and it was delicious! I would definitely say we stuffed ourselves!

my plate

I don't know why the last 2 pictures are sideways, but you can tilt you head to get the full effect!

Merry Christmas!

I have a lot to blog about so I might be making many posts today, but I first wanted to wish everyone a Merry Christmas! I wish everyone a great day of relaxing, great food, and great company. Thank you to everyone who thought of me and Davis on this special holiday!

Thanks to Davis for helping me cook although he sometimes feels my efforts are wasted since it's just the 2 of us! I love eating so I love cooking. AND I LOVE IT WHEN SOMEONE esp my husband HELPS!

Yesterday, Davis and I spend a good 3 hours in the kitchen cooking all kinds of appetizers and today we will spend so more hours cooking a roast, potatoes, cobbler, and more (& yes it is just for us)!

We also enjoyed talking to our families via webcam yesterday and watching A Christmas Story (Davis had never seen this movie and it is a must)!

our first tree

Our family with our 1st tree

Dave and I in the kitchen cooking

our Christmas Eve grub

Davie even wore an apron for me...he is a good sport

Christmas Eve view

apparently everyone wants ripe bananas the day before Christmas Eve....so I bought these green bananas (FYI green bananas do NOT peel), but I did learn that you can put green bananas in a paper bag with a tomato or an apple and it will ripen within 24 hours

our tree

Christmas day Rib Roast...yum!

Christmas time at the market

Christmas morning..this picture is for everyone who has ever seen me first thing in the morning when their excited about presents and I just want to sleep....(this is pretty much my Easter and Christmas face, at least it's only the 1st picture and then I get excited)
and this is my sleepy excited face (notice Beast is hanging rope off the side of the sofa teasing Belle)
Beast might be a mom's dog, yay a salad spinner
new gloves

our cute kiddos
this picture is too cute
Davis opening nerd cards
new toolbox
starting the food for the day

Surprise! Spur of the moment trip to TN

This past week I went home for my sister's graduation. It was a HUGE surprise! Thanks to Chris, Mom, Greg, Dad, and Barb for making it possible. It couldn't have been a better week! Thanks for all of the breakfasts, lunches, and dinners too! :) Congratulations Mandy! You are awesome for being able to finish with 2 lil ones at home. It is a great accomplishment and I am so proud of you. All you really need to know is "gargle with warm salt water". I am pretty sure that cures everything! You are officially Mandy Smith Raymond (or Almond), FNP. yay!

This is at breakfast and Mandy has no idea that I am in TN much less there!
3 Graduate Alumni
Mandy is suppose to look like she is running, I am not sure she has ever ran before.
Family pic
Another Family pic...I am blessed with 2 terrific families
Nolan wearing Aunt Cinny's shades

I always try to do as much/see as many people as I can when I visit. This time I was allowed (it use to be against Mandy's rules for anyone to drive with the boys) to take the boys to the park and we had a blast. It was actually the 1st time EVER I was with the alone. They are growing up so fast and I love them so much! They are precious and I am so thankful that I look like my sister because I think that is the only reason they still come to me after not seeing me for 6 months. Sadly because there were 2 of them and 1 of me, I didn't take any pictures that day :(
In other news, mom and Greg bought a bus and I was the lucky one that got to help them move. It was a great day spent with them and at least we were able to move inside this huge garage. Isn't it a beauty. Now they can come to Seattle and spend months at a time or at least I am hoping for that.

the kitchen in the bus

I also was able to spend an afternoon with Lauren and Caroline. These are the 2 girls that I kept while in college for 4 years. They are my dolls and are growing up so quick too! It was great to see them and to catch up on everything. We spent the afternoon eating frozen yogurt and bowling. I love them and miss them, luckily the oldest emails and now has a cell phone so it's pretty easy to stay in touch.
The night before I left, I had dinner with Dad's crew. This includes my brother and his girlfriend and I am always glad that Dad plans this meal when I am in because I love to catch up with my brother and it's the only time I see him when I am in usually.
This is picture was to capture 4 generations. I love my mamaw, she always cooks for me when I come in and it is always pinto beans (oh how I love pintos)!