August Update

Most of our summer was spent trying to spend as much time outdoors as possible.  Luckily this summer in Oregon was a little longer than the one we had last year and even though we only hit 90+ a few times...the temp was perfect.  Really if you have to use AC to be comfortable....it's too hot and you really don't enjoy the heat.
The girls enjoyed all kinds of outdoor activities that they are finally old enough for like Oaks Park and amusement park that been around for a long time, berry picking at some of the best berry patches around, and a few weekend trips with family. 

Hanging out at Oaks Park

Ellery's first pedicure 

Emily's first peddi 

Emily & Ellery before their first gymnastics class

Beach house in Lincoln City

12 steps from the sand.  LOVE it!

Girls chasing Grammy Bobbi

Summer Sisters

Trio of Sand Castles

Emily asked for this

Ellery & Emily's first trip to the Oregon Aquarium

Alligator jaws

My what big teeth you have

Ellery's "perfect" strawberry

Yum shaved ice. 

At Little Clippers getting ready for a much needed haircut.  After the daily fight to get a comb through those curls we decided it was time for a hair cut.

All smiles after her stacked bob 

Emily was a fan of her new haircut too

Dress up is so much fun!  Elton John's love children

Checking In

Oh wow.  It's been a long time since I've updated the blog.  Many apologies to the three people who still check our blog for the lack of updates and photos.  Apparently it was easier to blog when I had two infants at home rather than two 3 1/2 year olds.  Well, to make up for the hiatus I'll be posting a few months worth of pictures and will vow to keep the blog up going forward.   I've made the last 3 years of blogs into a book....look like 2011 will be about 10 pages total.  ;-)

Let the Games Begin!

Andy has finally lifted the year long "no house project" ban.  As you may recall when we were house shopping early last year we wanted to find a house that we didn't need to update and could move right in.  After the four year process of building a house/selling a house we were both tired.  And not to mention the thought of trying to update and renovate a house with two 2 year olds (at the time), living in a temporary home, and oh the fact that you need cash to do anything.  We found the perfect one and moved right in.  Shortly after I found myself wishing the trim was white not light wood color, and that I had painted a bit, and that the kitchen appliances weren't white, and that there wasn't granite tile in the kitchen, and, and, and.  Can you see where I'm going.  I tried to run a few ideas by Andy and was quickly shut down.  The issue here is that if and when we move a massive renovation won't raise the house value.  We may sell faster (which is good) but I don't want to do anything that I couldn't see as value down the road.  So I was quite for almost the full year.  Much of that was also because Andy now renovates houses full time so the chances of him wanting to do that in his spare time were slim to none.  About a month ago I started floating the ideas by Andy again.  This time he was receptive.  YES!!  So here's my list of to-do's.  Not sure when they will get done because it's impossible with two 3 year olds.  ;)

• Update the powder room. DONE.  We switched out the toilet, the flooring, and I just used this awesome product called Mirror Mate.  They custom cut a frame to go around those boring plain mirrors.  We have a ton in this house.  But two of the three are 6-8ft long so I won't be using Mirror Mate on those.  But the powder room looks AWESOME!
• Switch out the master bathroom toilet.  DONE
• Paint and install cabinets to the laundry room. DONE
• Switch out all good door hardware. 20% done. 4 door knobs and 12 hinges down, only 14 more knobs and 42 hinges to go.  ugg!
• Do something interesting on the wall in the family room.  Done.  I added 8 ft images of trees.  Loved the look for a year.  Now I am ready for something more permanent......which is.......
• Add a 6ft long narrow window the family room wall.  YES!  Andy approved, window ordered, and hopefully will be installed in the next few weeks.  It's a big job.  Need to tear out drywall, cut headers and studs, reinforce, cut through exterior siding.  Thank goodness Andy is a General Contractor.  ;)
• Install a screen at the back door.  This is normally an easy task but our deck is funky and comes up too high so we'll need to figure out how to solve that problem otherwise the screen will never open.
• Paint the two tone blue room.  It is bright and disgusting.  I need to take down the chair rail, patch holes, prime and paint a nice neutral color.   I also plan on getting rid of the bed set and replacing it with my own custom upholstered headboard.  I just picked up Avocado green burlap and I'm so excited to experiment and see what I come up with.
• Exchange all curtains in the house.  All on order.  Kitchen window treatments are getting a cheery red face lift.  I found this awesome fabric and will attempt to make curtains.  I have done them before, but I always hand stitch everything and I don't have the time anymore.  I plan on breaking out the brand new, 3 years ago, never opened, sewing machine and seeing what I come up with.
• Hopefully say goodbye to the 11 year old white appliances in the kitchen.  I would love if they would just stop working...but sadly I don't think that will be the case. 
• Paint all trim in the house white.  Big no HUGE job.  I may have to start in a room and work my way around the house over a period of time.

This is only the beginning.  My "real" list is one that I'm keeping for myself, but I don't want Andy to see it all until we get some of these things accomplished. ;)  Sorry to break the news to you here doll. XOXO

4th of July Weekend in Seaside

We had a fantastic 4th of July this year.  We spent the long 3 day weekend in Seaside and were so lucky to have both sets of the girls grandparents with us.   The weather was phenomenal.  I swear it's been years since I've been at the beach with sunny weather like this.  The girls even played in the ocean in bathing suits.  NOT wet suits which is what you need for the frigid Oregon Coast.  Oh, to have all weekends like that would be perfect.   We had fun family time, watched a parade, and watched the fireworks from one of the best vantage points in all of Seaside, oh and I read three books.  ;)  Perfect weekend!!!

Ellery on the Merry go Round.  Emily's back there in the blue but I kept trying to take pics as they went around and around....and this is the best I could do.

Ellery's new mad face. Cute huh??  It's usually paired with her hands on her hips.  I swear she is 3 going on 16.

Emily's modeling her "sweet face"

Ellie and Grammy Linda

Emi and Grammy Bobbi

Caught in the act.  Trying to eat candy at the parade.

Waving at a princess 

I told them no more than one piece per "float" until I realized it could mean more for me!!

This is not a California beach. 

Ellery trying to "bury" me in sand.

I love this photo...Emily (being carried) looks like she's just taking in the moment with the sun on her (sun-screened) face.

4th of July sunset

Watching the fireworks