Father's Day

This year Father's Day was jam packed.  I guess it's no different than any other holiday!  By the time we celebrate Josh, Kelly and my dad, the day is done.  I am so thankful for all three of these men.  They are wonderful examples and great influences for myself and my kidos.  

Kelly ~ I really couldn't ask for a better father-in-law.  He is so supportive and the fact that I married into the family means nothing to him.  It's really like I inherited another dad that would stick up for me no matter what.  He is a great Papa to Lincoln and Brooklyn and they absolutely adore him and his craziness.

Josh ~ Obviously I chose this man to spend the rest of my life with and I love him with my whole heart, but seeing him become a dad has been incredible.  I fell in love with him more with the birth of each of our children.  He LOVES these kids with everything he has and I am so happy to be a spectator.  I can see the impact these kids have on him, his patience is growing each day and I believe he is truly happy.

Dad ~ Words will never express my love and gratitude for this man.  A huge reason I am who I am is because of him.  A large part of my personality is similar to his which may drive my mom insane at times!  Watching him become a grandpa has been a joy as well.  The kids love his goofiness.

We spent the morning at brunch with Kelly, Danette, Clint and Jessi.  It was all fun until the littlest one was ready for her nap!  

 Next was a stop at the property to check out the progress and then home to ensure the kids got naps.

Finally, we headed to my parents house where I made dinner and we visited :-)

Progress on the House

This part of the process is requiring a lot of patience on my part!  When the foundation went in and the framing started things were changing rapidly each day.  Progress was easy to see.  Now the progress is much more gradual and kind of dull.  

Once the trusses were up and the boards on the roof, the roofer got to work.  Seeing a roof from the road was really exciting.  Next the windows went in and that too was progress that was easily seen.  Finally the garage floor was poured.  

After the garage floor was done things were less exciting and visible.  The plumber and electrician got to work.  The duct work was done as well.     

Josh has been working hard at the house too.  His first task was to dig out the posts for the front porch.  He of course had some help!

Next he started getting the shed/dog kennel ready.  We have to have a place for these two when we move in!

It has been getting a bit more challenging as we are getting to the point of really narrowing things down and making final decisions.  Final budgets, realizing we went over in some areas and under in some has thrown a wrench in a few things.  At times I have found myself being so disappointed that we can't do this or that, then I have to smack myself and remember how blessed we are to be doing this!  And in the end those little things will be forgotten.  We will have a beautiful home that we fit in and will allow us to comfortably have our family and friends over :-)

We decided on maple cabinets in a light stain for the majority of the kitchen.  We will have the island done in a chocolate stain.  The bathroom cabinets will all be the same light stain on maple.  The lighting fixtures will be brushed nickel.  I envision white craftsman trim with black doors and a beige wall color similar to the photo below, but we will see how everything comes together when we get sheet rock up!
I couldn't get my diagrams to not be sideways....

Counter top

Flooring in hallways, living/dining, kitchen

Island

On a side note, Kelly, Danette, Jessi and Jamie delivered the play set to the property!  The kids are going to have so much fun on that thing!  Now we just need some pea gravel to soften their falls! 

My Beauties!

We don't get out to movies much nor are we out on the town these days.  Our primary source of entertainment are these two little beings that we've created...  Really they are all the entertainment we need!  And at times, the only entertainment we can handle.

Brooklyn is nearly 18 months now and into everything.  Independence could have been her middle name and there is no doubt she knows exactly what she wants.  She is our little dare devil.  Most recently she loves going down their new slide head first...  Or she swings herself on the beam above the slide before launching herself down.  

This is much unlike her nearly 4 year old brother whom prefers the swings on their new play set.  In fact I am convinced he would swing all day long and into the night if someone would push him.  We've been working on the whole "pumping the legs" thing with no avail.  And if he is going to partake of the slide he requests to be brought down at a "slow" pace...       

We had the opportunity to take the kids to The Great Wolf Lodge for the evening and spend time in the water park.  Brooklyn went right in with a smile on her face, life vest and all.  Went down a water slide all by herself and didn't even cry when she accidentally went under.

My cautious one was completely different.  After 20 min he was ready to venture into the shallows.  Then into the deeper water to do some climbing.  Next to the jet skis to sit and squirt Daddy, and finally he was having a blast watching the dump bucket and crashing into the waves in the wave pool.  He didn't go down a water slide this time, but maybe next time???  

Brooklyn is talking up a storm and LOVES books right now, rather "gooks". She brings a "gook" everywhere she goes whether it's a jaunt across the house, a trip in the car or off to bed.  The other morning she slept in rather late.  When I finally checked on her I found her laying on her back in her crib with a book up in her face. 

Someone Houdini'd her way out of her crib last night!  She even managed to get to the ground without a crazy crash or tears.  I was fortunate to witness the unfolding of the event.  Her door was open wide enough that she could reach the knob.  She used that to pull herself out and to the floor??  Gotta watch her every move! 

Lincoln is still very much into cars.  Lately he has resurrected his trains and is even back into watching Thomas the Tank Engine (not one of my favorite shows).  His favorite toy as of late is a Barbie interactive toy.  He takes it to bed with him every night.  When you play it requires you to complete everyday tasks with Barbie such as shopping, going to the stables, or practicing for the recital.  It a great educational toy and he is learning a lot, but I never would have guessed that would be the one he liked!  He never ceases to crack me up.  The other day he was in the tub with tea cups over his ears telling me he was mowing and that he had his ear muffs on.  Next he was weed whacking with them.  

For a couple days he really took a liking to one of our old cell phones.  He carried it around one night talking to Grandma Danette.  Next apparently he was on the phone with Grandma Tammy.  After that he informed me that he would just be playing some games on his phone.  About 15 minutes later he says, "My battery is dead!  I better put my phone on the charger".  The next morning in the car I thought he was talking to me so naturally I responded and he retaliated with. "MOM!!!  I'm on the phone!!"  Yikes!  :-)  Love that kid!  His imagination fascinates me and I hope he keeps it up.