Kitchen Remodel - Part 1

When we moved into our house exactly one year ago, I tried very hard to make peace with our kitchen. I love to cook and spend a lot of time in our kitchen (although Jesse may argue that has not been the truth during this pregnancy), and I just couldn't get past the feeling of being in a dark basement apartment . While we knew that we could not give this house a huge, gourmet kitchen, we have been planning/discussing how to make it feel more like the bright and open gathering place this house deserves.

Here are a couple of before pictures. Please note the dropped 7 foot ceiling (and keep in mind that one occupant of this house is 6'3), the bank of counters that blocks the kitchen from the eating area, and the "antique" appliances.

During...

Bar cabinets down and ceiling drywall out.

Ceiling up to regular height and ready for drywall. We hung one piece tonight, and will get the rest up this weekend, hopefully!

Some of the plumbing that had to be completely cut out and redone since it was too low for a normal ceiling. Fun, huh?


Can I please just say how incredible Jesse is? He is fabulous in general, but his construction/electrical/plumbing skills are amazing! I regularly ask him "how did you even know what that was?" or "where did you learn that?" He answer is always either "I read about it" or "your dad taught me". More to come...new cabinet doors, new cabinet paint, granite counters, an extended bar, new appliances, and some new lighting!

It's a ....

BABY GIRL!

We all three went this morning for the ultrasound. The baby looked great, and we are so excited to add another sweet baby girl to our family! I feel so extremely blessed to be the mother of two daughters. Now we can start working on a name!

Two!

We had a very eventful few days leading up to Annabelle's birthday celebration. Horrible tornados and storms went through our state on Wednesday. Luckily, the only damage at our house was the loss of power...actually, the entire county lost power. After one night with candles and a latern and hearing that it would be about 5 days until we got power back, we decided to pack up and head to my parent's house. It ended up being a great decision because power didn't come back on until Monday at our house, and Jesse's work is just opening back up tomorrow! We have learned a lot about things we will do in the future to be prepared for an emergency like that - the gas and grocery shortages were a little crazy! Thankfully, 5 days at with my parents was like an unplanned vacation.



We had Annabelle's birthday planned for that Saturday, so we just decided to go ahead with a little family celebration at my parent's home since we had been talking to her about her birthday all week! She was extremely excited about cake and party hats!

Our precious birthday girl!

There are just no words for how much I love this child.

Such a special day with Nana and Grandad!

Loving play time with Jimmy and Ellen! They got her princess dress up clothes and a magic wand - she was thrilled!

Jesse and I had the best time trying to figure out how to make a monkey cake...there was a detailed sketch (Jesse's), lots of cake carving, and lots of icing! We have decided that this will be our new "night before the kiddo's birthdays" tradition!

Saying "eat cake", "eat cake"!

Finally! Piece 1 of 2!

Golf playing princess!

Fun for the big kids, too!

The newest member of our family - this doll has been everywhere with us this week!

This is exactly how I will remember my girl on her birthday - party hat, tutu, baby doll and her new tricycle!

Annabelle,
Happy Birthday, sweet pea! I have trouble comprehending that we have had you in our family for two years now. It feels like weeks ago that we brought our tiny new infant home, and it feels like we have known you forever. I just cannot even begin to put words how much you love, joy, laughter, and fun you bring to our lives!