Christmas and Family

I got ahead of myself and failed to get pictures posted from Christmas. We had a great time getting to be with most of our family members. It was great to see the little ones on both sides of the family having such fun. We don't see most of them together except for Christmas. We got to "meet" our newest one born last summer to G & G. We also had good Christmas news as we learned that Klee, LilE, and JD were expecting a new one June 2011. Can't wait!

Newest one---C!

Cousins who all like to play dress up!

Grown kids in their traditional Christmas Eve attire????

LilE in her Christmas PJs!

LilE with B and Elle!

Christmas Eve and the Christmas Story with all the little girls!

Thanksgiving, Christmas, & New Year's

As you can tell, posting on the blog hasn't been a top priority for me. So, I will quickly catch you up. We started the remodel of our master suite in late October (hoping to be completed with that by Thanksgiving). Thanksgiving came and went and the remodel was still going on. No problem, we weren't hosting Thanksgiving this year, so no worry!

Thanksgiving weekend I drag out all the Christmas decorations and prepare for the holiday season. (Fortunately, all workmen entered from the sliding glass doors off the patio directly into the master suite. No issues with workmen being in the main portion of the house.)

Time to host the office staff party......requested that the workmen take a long lunch that day so guests will not be viewing all the work being done from the living room windows.

Time to host the Bible Fellowship Christmas Party......no problem. It was at night and darkness hid all the tools and "mess" on the patio and backyard.

December 23rd--Children will arrive on Christmas Eve for an extended two week vacation. We only ask that we can move our bed into the room to sleep. Contractor works ALL DAY to clean and get us where we can move bed into room. B and W come to help move bed into room along with a few clothes to hang in the closet. We share bathrooms with the kids during their stay.

Demolition Time

After 4 1/2 years in our house, we have finally made the commitment to remodel the master bedroom and bath. We have been remodeling for the last 3+ years. Even though the master suite was probably in the most need, we opted to tackle all the common areas first. We (or as Smitty would say--YOU) have been dragging our feet on beginning this area. There were so many questions and options and "how-are-we-going-to do that?" moments, that I just couldn't seem to get started. Finally, in late October, we "bit the bullet--pulled the trigger--took the plunge" and started the demolition with the promise from the contractor that he could be finished no later than Thanksgiving weekend! FAMOUS LAST WORDS!

Off with the old, ugly wallpaper, mantle and mini-blinds.

Take off sheet rock on walls and ceiling and add more vanity lighting.

Knock down "potty room", remove tub and the ugliest tile I've ever seen.