Kitchen is almost finished!!!

Above:

Before..messy, pastel green wall color and some other not so fun features. 

, 

After the paint job, the indoor lighting doesn't do the colors justice.

And, after new solid surface counter tops were placed with an under-mounted sink (YEAH!) and a tile backdrop. 

My hubby just needs to hook up the under plumbing for me and I can use the sink. Can't wait! It's been 3 weeks and counting till I've had a kitchen. Not a terribly long amount of time, but long enough. 

A little bit of Texas.

And what do you think of when you hear the "Alamo"? Texas? Cowboy hats? Here is a little of each. I couldn't resist taking his photo.

I am in Texas visiting a friend and her family so it seemed a good time to see the Alamo. There was a pretty spectacular oak tree inside the walls. Pictures don't really cut it though.

A lock of Davy Crockett's hair is in this necklace. and the brush is his too.

And here it is folks, smaller than one might think, The Alamo.  Formerly the site of a mission, it became the spot of a pivitol battle in 1836.

Paint, Paint, Paint

Some more fun before and after pictures to remember this crazy process of home remodel. 

Here is the kitchen, before...

and after a few coats of paint. Kitchen won't really be finished until January, counters and new sink to come!

The next view is standing right next to the front door, looking towards the kitchen. Pardon the mess. 

Before...

After...

Bedroom time! Our master bedroom is a bit small, but has a gigantic closet! 

Before...

After...And tomorrow some carpet will be installed! Hurrayy!

A fun remodel, more to do, but it is getting close to being livable for Brian and I. Come visit and you will have a place to sleep and stay! 

Home Sweet Home

The day we received our keys: December 8, 2013.

Then the work began. Cleaning, painting, ripping up carpet, removing trip, laying tile and soon new carpet. 

The living room when we moved in...

The almost finished living room! 

My wonderful husband has spent many, many hours pulling up carpet (actually that was the easy part) and laying tile. This tile is awesome (thanks Kevin and Melanie for introducing it to us!), it looks like wood floors, but obviously isn't. It will go best over our floors since we have radiant floor heating. 

At this point, Brian is finished laying the tile and is starting to add the grout. He is spending a lot of energy and time on this floor. and it is greatly appreciated by his wife (me). 

It is a lot of fun, and there is a lot more work to be done. 

Seaside Arcade

We went to Seaside this Thanksgiving weekend with Brian's family. And when in Seaside, one has to go to the Arcade. Because, there is no better fun than spending money on silly little games and winning tickets. 

See below: L-R Brian, mom-Karen, cousin Michelle, Aunt Kris, cousin Kyle, and Uncle Dave.

Brian's sister Sarah, (below) had a big win finally on Deal or No Deal!

Beautiful Michelle, waiting around with Kyle's gecko. 

It was a nice three nights at the beach visiting with family and enjoying the holiday AND the beach. Thursday was absolutely spectacular and sunny! And Friday wasn't bad either. Then Friday night we enjoyed the Seaside Holiday Lights Parade and tree lighting ceremony.

Christmas season has begun!

Our Pumpkin Tradition

This year for our traditional carving party, we had about 15 more guests than normal. It was fun. A few families came out and all carved pumpkins with us. It might have to be a new tradition: invite everyone!

We had some artistic people this year. WOW

Enjoying the candle-lit evening. Nice pumpkins huh?

A Kite Festival

A few weeks ago there was a kite festival in Lincoln City, Oregon. And, wow did we luck out because the weather was amazing. October 5th in Oregon is not always the best month, but this day was superb. 

This was the first kite we saw in the air. Brilliant colors and huge!

Then, for about 3 hours there wasn't enough wind to keep the big kites up in the air. So, we enjoyed a nice walk down the beach.

And then the bubble man came. Creating some awesome bubbles for us all to enjoy!

We were about to leave around 3 in the afternoon and the wind started up again! So we saw many large kites up in the sky before we left.