Makenna's early Birthday present

Grandpa and Grandma gave Makenna her birthday present a little early because it was too big to bring to her birthday party with family in a couple weeks. She loves her new Kitchen.

Our Thanksgiving

This was my first Thanksgiving cooking the meal. My mom and dad were planning on coming for the day. Unfortunately, my mom never made it. She ended up in the hospital on Thanksgiving Day for abdominal pain and vomiting. She is still there and will be there through the weekend. She could use some prayers. They think she might have had a bowel obstruction. She might have some scar tissue built up from her surgery this past summer which is causing the obstruction. Worse case scenario, they would have to go back in and get rid of the scar tissue if she doesn't get better.
So, my dad came up alone. And we had more than enough food. Instead of turkey, I did Chicken breasts stuffed with stuffing, sweet potato casserole, corn, mashed potatoes, and Cornbread and Sausage stuffing. I was very proud of myself. For those of you that know me well, know that I hate cooking. So this was a BIG deal for me.

Tree Lighting

Before and After

AFTER

BEFORE

The stairs are DONE! As you can see, the posts were oak colored before, and now the posts are white.

Makenna loves her Ellie

Next Project

Would you believe that our fireplace was never white? Again, I am so stupid for not taking before pictures. We used to have pictures of every room when we first moved into this place, but for some reason they have been deleted from our computer. This fireplace used to be a couple shades darker than the wall color behind it. So it looked light brown. Our place is going on 9 years old and everything they put in it when it was new was oak colored. No white crown molding. Base boards, stairs, cabinets are all oak colored. The walls are pretty neutral so everything just kid of blends together. So since the pregnancy has put me in the mood to be "Star the Tool Lady Lilly", I am doing it all myself. My next project after the fireplace is to paint all the leg posts on our stairs white. Wish me luck.

Home Improvement Projects

This pregnancy has definitely put me in the mood to make a few changes in our house before the next baby comes. Since 2006, when we moved in, we have pretty much painted almost every room in our house. Except for one, the ugly bright yellow half bath. Oh, how I wish I had before pictures. Stupid me, didn't take any. But for those of you who have been to our place know what I am talking about it. This 1/2 bath used to be bright yellow with a dark navy blue tile that was centered in the middle of the wall and went all the way around the room. It also came furnished with a navy blue toilet seat. We just saw this room as a challenge because we weren't sure how we were going to get that thick blue tile off the wall. Well one weekend I put my dad up to the challenge. And he happens to be the best Handy Man I know. I think my dad can do just about anything. Sorry Honey!! So he managed to get that tile off without putting holes in the wall. Yea Dad!! The bathroom looked so naked without that tile. But I was so excited to finally get to change the color too. Did I mention it was BRIGHT YELLOW? Anyways.. so this is the finished product. I am so happy with it and not embarrassed anymore when our guests need to use it.

Christmas came early

I just couldn't resist. I was at the Dollar Store the other day and found this Dora tent for $9. Makenna calls it "Dora's House." It the first thing she asks for when she wakes up in the morning and it stays in the middle of our living room all day long. Brett thinks I should have waited till Christmas to give it to her , but she has some better gifts coming her way.

Lilly's love to dance

Girl's Day Out

We had a great day away. WE spent the afternoon eating lunch at a Victorian Tea House, and then went onto Paint Pottery. It was me, Polly(mother-in-law), Bethany(sister-in-law), and Courtney(Grant's girlfriend). I'm excited about the Celebration plate I made and can't wait to see the finished product at Christmas.

Makenna's New Bestfriend