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!!

That's What Makes You Beautiful!

I love this song!! I think someone more talented than me should change a few of the words and make it into a rockin' girls camp song.  Love it!! (and, I think I'm getting old.  Am I the only one who thinks that these boys look like they are 12?)

Happy Graduation!

We had the awesome chance to go up to Rexburg for the weekend last weekend to celebrate Paul and his graduation! It was great fun!!  Mike's parents flew into town Thursday evening, and the kids had so much fun picking them up at the airport, having dinner together and spending good Grandparent time. Mike and I enjoyed all the good conversation, a little game-age, and the fun.  We LOVED having them here--and I scheduled a Texas trip for next year. Can't wait!

We headed up to Rexburg Friday morning, after watching Paul present a literary paper at Weber State. It was deep (at one point, Dad and I had to wiki the definition of a word!).  The car ride was lovely with sleeping children and adult conversation, and we arrived at Rexburg with enough time to get Paul where he needed to be (whew!).  Mike and I were staying the weekend at Brielle's house, so after checking in there (SO CUTE!), we headed to dinner and graduation. 

It was great.  President Clark, the BYUI president, is an awesome man, and thankfully they kept everything brief (ish.).  We had fun watching Paul 'walk' and enjoyed a yummy pizza dinner (complete with a pizza called the 'Mindy special!')

Saturday we woke up to find that the Easter bunny found us at Aunt Brielles! The kids loved their treats and fun, and we had sufficient candy for the ride home to keep us awake!  Thanks for letting us stay at your house, Brielle, and thanks for graduation, Paul, so we could have a great weekend trip!

Thursday:

Friday:

Saturday:

Happy Birthday Luke!

Well... we made it.  My climbing, crazy, screaming, loving, walking, squawking boy made it to one!  Yeah for birthdays!!

We enjoyed Conference Weekend birthday parties--two, to be exact.  By the second party he was figuring out gift opening, and realized that there were a whole lot of hands to play with.  Having older kids always makes birthdays more fun, and we enjoyed two different BBQ's--although weather was yucky so we were forced to be crammed inside! (Mental note to self: need to make that addition onto the house a higher priority! ;)

We loved all the people who came over to help us celebrate his big day!  Thanks for your support!!

Dance Class

Katelyn completed a dance class last month.  She was so excited for us to come and see 'her show!'  It was a very parent thing to do--I loved it!! Perhaps I will download a couple of videos that we took and add them to this post, but until then...

Great Easter Video

Found this tonight and thought I would share. It's fabulous!!