Home Improvement

As many of you know, home improvement is a passion of mine as well as a necessity. I thought I'd post a few before and afters of some of the things we've done in this 104 year old house. It turns out I don't have as many of the before pics as I thought I did, I'll have to check Dan's computer.




Our latest project - Dan's really. It's more improved since this picture, he's finished the shelves for the components. He had to move the door frame 16 inches in order for the TV to be centered on the wall. It was a huge project. If he had known, I don't think we would have done it. But it's wonderful now!
This is the during when he had the wall ripped out. I couldn't find a before picture.
What the stairs look like now. This was my project. I surprised Dan with it one time while he was away on a 12 day trip - yes, it took all 12 days. My brother-in-law Nate helped me a little with figuring out how the nail guns worked and cutting a few angles.
This is the during, after I ripped off the carpet and pad
This was the nasty, disgusting, pee-stained by the previous tenants pets carpet that my adorable child was playing on before. I think I made a wise decision.


p.s. I tried to change our opening picture, and obviously i don't know how to get the right size on the picture. If any of you blogging goddesses out there can help, I'd appreciate it!

adorable

I am doing this post particularly for Kandy and mom, but all may enjoy. Kandy, this is the little coat that Grandma Ruby gave you when you were 2. Doesn't it clean up nice. I got tons of compliments on it at church. Ellie loves it, it is a princess coat.
Mom, remember this night when you bathed Ellie and fixed her hair so cute. I love you Grandma Kristi!

Here's a few Christmas pics so my blog is a little up-dated. I'll do more when I can kick this blasted headache.

I love to drive!
Thanks Grandma Debbie and Grandpa Dan


Presents, presents everywhere. Thanks Grandma Kristi.

Even Jewel gets presents!

Sweet play-dough! Thanks Santa.

It's the most wonderful time of the year!

So I haven't posted in a while, because I've been feeling like ---well, let's just say, not good at all. Morning sickness? Let's just call it what it is: All day, all night, constant for weeks and weeks sickness. I don't like to post without a picture, but I don't think it would be appropriate to show one of how I really feel, so I'll just find a cute baby one of Ellie and remember that soon I'll have two new angels in my life. That's right, if you haven't already heard... it's twins! I won't find out the sex until Jan. or Feb.

Halloween

Ellie was the beautiful Princess Gisselle from the recent Disney movie "Enchanted". Isn't she beautiful. Dress and bucket were compliments of her grandmas.


Dan was the Chef Extraordinaire who put the bun in this oven. We wore it to the ward party as our happy announcement!

success

Well, it worked! Your prayers and fastings and names in the temple-ings have not been in vain....

I'm Pregnant!!!

They said I had a blood count level of over 1200, what ever that means... the nurse said it means I'm "very" pregnant. I go for a vaginal ultrasound in two weeks, they said at that point they could tell me whether I'm having twins or not.




They also said I need to still take it easy. I wonder how flying will be?







I have to cut back on exercise too, which is sad for me, but worth it. Maybe I'll try this...
Is it ball yoga? Who knows.



I guess I'll become a great walker!

Hail to the Princess Ellie!

It all started one Sunday evening...





She came home from grandma's wrapped the blanket around her waist, and knelt down so it puffed out all around her. Then she said:

Mama, I'm a princess.

Indeed she is!

Then it continued...



She was Cinderella for a couple weeks with a dress she stole from our sweet neighbor Ella.











After that, she started stealing any dress she could find from the Leishman (our other neighbors) dress-up box. This is one of her favorites. She was playing in the leaves with it on when Aunt Kandy got this picture. She never takes the dress off!
I even went to the DI and bought her a few to wear around the house.
She wore this one over her new cute birthday clothes the entire day of her party.




















Since everyone in the family knew that she was princess crazy, she got totally princessed out for her birtday.

She got a wand from Aunt Dawn...















Princess shoes from cousin Adri and the Godfrey gang....
















Princess movies (Sleeping Beauty and Barbi) from Grandpa Brent, and a music player from cousin Ava...








But best of all from Grandma Debbie, she got a giant trunk full of princess dresses, shoes, and the all important accessories.



She immediately put them on for the main event...blowing out the candles on the Pretty Pink Princess Kitty made by Grandma Kristi. "Oh, so cute," Ellie said. She tried blowing them out by herself to no avail. At the same time mama decided to help her, she waved her magic princess wand and the candles were out..MAGIC!!! The lovely sparlky accessory on her head (among other wonderful treasures) is also from Grandma Kristi. There was no end to the presents!!


The princess craze continues. Be looking forward to some lovely Halloween pics of Ellie as Princess Giselle from Enchanted.