Weigh In...

So, the upcoming kitchen re-do is occupying all my thoughts, and most of my dreams.  Can't wait!!  On that note, give me your thoughts.  

Here is my kitchen.  (no, not a recent picture.  We don't carve pumpkins in April.)

We are raising the ceiling (knocking out that dumb drop ceiling!) and adding top cabinetry.  We are changing out our exhaust vent hood with a black, sleeker, more awesome BOSCH (love bosch!!) one.  Like this one...

We are making it an externally venting fan (hal-a-freaking-lu-ya!) and so I am going to lose the cupboard space above it.  So I get to make it pretty instead.  Tell me what is your favorite?!

Keep in mind, although all these pictures are white, our cabinets are going DARK.  And don't get thrown off by the beautiful, tall ceilings either. I know mine aren't that tall.  The decorative portion above the stove could go white--bright, high gloss, pretty white--or red, or something else. It's not going to go the same color as the stain, since I don't want to spend the extra money to build this section out of 'real' wood.  

1.

2.

3.

4.

I can't remember if our buttons for our fan are on the outside, or the underside, so I'm not sure if we can cover it up or not.

So, what do you think?  

Number 4 was my original idea.  Now, I love number 1.  And, then at the same time I love the idea of having a place to put nice things.  I don't know...!

The Shake Out!

We participated last week in the 'Great Utah Shake Out.'  In prep for the earthquake that they say is going to hit, we practiced getting under the table (which, to be honest, I'm not sure would actually save our lives!), practiced staying together (my biggest worry is that we will likely be separated. If not completely, at least by levels of our house), and we practiced what to do afterwards.  I tried not to be scary, but help the munchlets to be prepared.  Here's to 'If you are prepared, you shall not fear!'

(gotta love the fuzzy pictures!)

And, for kicks and giggles, check out this video.  If this doesn't scare you, nothing will!

Wishes!

We took a 'wish walk' this week. 

The kids LOVED it!

Mud!

Love my Luke!  Wishing for a child that had desires to stay clean!

Bring on Summer~!

We've got our summer bucket list ready to go! 

How about you?

We love the Zoo!

So, since the weather has improved that last couple of weeks, we have headed to the zoo...a lot. We love it!!  We usually have a break down by the end (I stopped bringing my double stroller and Josh gets a bit pooped by the time we are done), but that is the beauty of a zoo pass...short visits to the zoo.  I don't ever feel like I have to spend 8 hours there to 'get my money's worth.'

The animals are a lot more active when it's cool outside, but because we have gone so many times we get to see something else neat every time we are there.  I have yet, however, to see the Tigers in the water.  It's on my bucket list! (I'm afraid I may just have to camp out at the zoo the see it happen!) We love the Zoo!! Anybody want to be our summer Zoo buddies?

 The kids love getting maps at the Zoo. I've got dozens of these things...so much for 'being green!'

 We love the carousal, and the train.  Fun!

Luke's first monkey pictu.re..didn't really cooperate, but...! 

Cousin Zoo Day

 Such good buddies!  Love it!

 Being 'china ladies' (whatever a China lady is!)

 This is Katelyn's "VERY FAVORITE PART" of the zoo!

Kitchen Remodel

So--this is happening! :)  Not this month, but next *hopefully!  I am one excited chick...can't wait!!  Here's my current plan...(subject to change, of course!).

First off, the ceiling soffit has GOT TO GO!  Who came up with that idea?  Lame.  Pop that puppy out, replace sheetrock and add some new lighting.  Can lights above the sink.  Pendant lighting above the bar-two of them to be exact.

I like this:   and this:

and I LOVE these--but think they may be too funky for the look I'm going for, not the mention price... :

 

 Track lighting on the ceiling, over the food prep area. 

   

 I am not a subtle lighting girl--I like light, and lots of it. If I could install skylights I would. If I could vault the ceiling, I would.  As I can't, lots and lots of light (on multiple switches) will have to do.  Wham!

Speaking of ceilings...we are doing something like this over the table, and installing a new ceiling fan.

Next, since we are gaining 12 inches of space once we re-do the ceiling, I'm adding more cabinets!  Yeah!!  Maybe open. Maybe with doors. Maybe with bead board.  I'm excited!  Certainly it will have features like this:

  

 

Oh, and the color you ask? We are going from honey oak, to deep beautiful dark.  Like this:

Oh, and by the way, I'm taking my dark black kitchen table and chairs and turning them a beautiful yellow/cream/brown.  Yummy.

That's phase one.  I'm too impatient to wait so I'm going to do it in phases.  One now (ish), and one later (ish).  For phase two: countertops, sink, new window.  Lovely!

So, since my birthday is coming up, here is my SHAMELESS plug...I've got a shopping list.  Want to help?

http://www.amazon.com/Clear-Satin-Topcoat-Stain-Quart/dp/B001F7N0JU/ref=reg_hu-rd_add_1_dp

http://www.homedepot.com/Lighting-Fans-Indoor-Lighting-Indoor-Ceiling-Lighting-Recessed-Lighting/h_d1/N-5yc1vZbvlw/R-202025123/h_d2/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10053&langId=-1&storeId=10051

Not to mention supplies, labor, watching of children, and pizza giftcards (cuz I'm quite sure this is not going to be a quick weekend project!)

And, if somebody wanted to spring for those funky, fun pendant lights, you wouldn't hear a peep from me! :) 

So, basically, I'm stoked.  I'm doing vinyl orders like crazy to earn the cash, and I'm thinking I can make my little bit stretch quite a bit further than you would think.  Can't wait!!