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!!