Let the rumpus--um, I mean renovation-- begin!

Allow me to sum up the last year or so.  We sold our house.  We stored almost everything in multiple storage places (I make things complicated, just to keep Greg on his feet).  We rented an apartment for four months.  We bought a new house, not far from our old house. (Apparently, we love this neighborhood.)  We moved in two days after Christmas. 

Although we've been painting bedrooms (this song comes to mind), scheming furniture plans and getting to know the "garden" that is our backyard, we have bigger projects on the horizon.  That's right, this home provides us the opportunity to design a new kitchen customized to our taste.  "Why" you ask?  Here are a few pictures to show you what we are replacing (well, not Sully):

Notice the prison bathroom floor.  I'm sure that was a special order.


We know this kitchen was once loved dearly due to the amount of time it must have taken the previous owners to hand paint that stencil on the soffit.  You can't see it from this distance, but not only was it stenciled, but it was sponge stenciled.  Those previous owners had mad skillz!



Also, notice the mauve dining room, a nice nod to my favorite color from 1983.  Back then, my sister and I referred to it as "dusty rose" because she had a Clinique lipstick in that shade. 
 

Despite the stone inlay in a sand colored tile, we are not located near a beach.  We just hope the new floor will reflect the buttoned-up city in which we reside. You know where to send your suggestions.

The infamous former exterior window turned pass-thru.  During the four months that we have lived with this kitchen, we found this to be Paddy's favorite kitchen knife access point.  I won't be sorry to see it go.

I do feel a little foolishly brazen dissing this kitchen, especially on day one of demolition.  We spent many years in the tiny, old kitchen in our old house and after all the time I have spent with my shelter mags, I am ready for the show to begin!

Pinky swear that I'll keep you posted. 

Cousin time

Spring break

This is how we roll on chilly spring break days. Botanical Gardens, sweatshirts at the beach, moonlit walks home. Hoping for warmer temps before we head home.

Funny Girl

This is a page from a book Carly is making in 1st grade.

Baptism #3....done & done!

Our littlest man was baptized this past weekend ("finnnnnnaaaally!!!" say the grandparents). Highlights include a calm and happy baby, animated siblings and a dear friend nobly standing-in for godparents Auntie Michelle and Uncle Judd. Lowlights include a close run-in between Patrick and his flickering baptism candle and me being put on the spot to sing Alleluia a cappella. I could've sworn I had a better voice. Greg's laughter confirmed otherwise.

Congrats Patrick Charles. Now start behaving in church.

Happy Birthday Big Guy!!!

Teddy's World

This seems about right, especially my expression. Very perceptive, T-dog.