Coming April 29!

We're so happy to announce our family is growing again! Bryce's baby brother or sister should arrive sometime around April 29. We're so excited! If you ask Bryce if he wants a baby brother or baby sister he says, "Baby brother-sister..." then "Baby sister..." then "I want a baby in MY tummy!" We''ll just have to see come December! Unfortunately, there won't be many ultrasound photos to share as last time. I only get 3 (maybe 4). Here's the photo from the first one a few weeks ago.

Yeah, I Know...

I'll save the excuses and just cut straight to the photos...

Bryce had a birthday. I can't believe my baby is 2.

He spent some time playing with his new toys.

And then it got hot. Really hot. So we painted the house with water.

Then it got hotter, so we stayed inside and played.

Searching for buried treasure.

Finger painting with pudding.

How many hats can you stack?

Some painting (the tongue is necessary for artistic inspiration).

A little home repair.

Hiding out in the kennel.

Then we had some family photos taken. Bryce is cute.

Then Grammy, Uncle Brian, Aunt Jennifer, Siler, and Caleb came for a visit (and some more family photos).

Running from the water hose is always fun.

So is eating ice cream.

A little trip to the zoo was in order.

Siler's keeping an eye on the tiger pacing behind them.

"I'm getting out of here!"

Three little monkeys...

And of course, we couldn't leave without riding the train.

With that, a cool breeze blew in and our summer came to a close. Let's hope the next one's not so hot.

The Kitchen Remodel

After one year of waiting and planning, one weekend of demo, and two weeks of construction the kitchen is finally finished. I'm glad this was our last big project because I'm not sure I'll be able to handle anymore construction mess for a long time. This was most definitely not a project we did ourselves. We hired a guy that works for the seminary who can basically build a house from the foundation up without breaking the bank. Here's the summary of all he did for us:

1. Removed/replaced cabinet facing and doors on upper cabinets in kitchen and buffet area in the breakfast room (he made the doors himself!).

2. Completely rebuilt lower cabinets in the kitchen.

3. Removed old laminate countertops and replaced with granite.

4. Installed new light above sink and new vent hood.

5. Built microwave/pantry cabinet.

6. Built a sweet appliance drawer in the old pantry area.

7. Removed/replaced backsplash tile.

8. Matt also removed the sagging fan and installed a new breakfast room chandelier (not pictured).

Here's how the kitchen looked before we bought and moved in. Looking at it now, I'm not sure what we were thinking. Wow, it needed a lot of work.

Here's how it's been the last year or so. Looking from the living room toward the breakfast room (sink side):

(sorry the angle is off)

Looking from the living room toward the breakfast room (oven side):

Looking from the breakfast room toward the living room (sink side):

Looking from the breakfast room toward the living room (oven side):

Other views:

Awesome appliance drawer. Love!

All Bryce, All The Time

You know it's why you come here. You don't much care how our garden grows or how the kitchen remodel is coming along. You just want to see Bryce. So here you go: Our summer so far according to Bryce.

Bryce found his old car seat in the garage and spend about 20 minutes buckling and unbuckling himself.

Bryce with his buddy Kaden on Memorial Day.

Bryce with his bubble machine. Before he drowned it in the pool.

Bryce and the Giant Squash.

At the splash park with Grandpa.

Eating Blue Bell.

At another splash park with the Massons.

"Turn 'da wheel!"

Up high with Daddy.

Our first family photo in a while. My little cheese ball.

Our big helper getting his pool set up.

Bryce, Renae and Sammy having fun.

The Three Amigos. Bryce has a serious crush on sweet Renae.