Here we go!

This weekend, we were visited by some old friends. David Bishop and his wife Julie came to town for a Sea World Adventure and stopped by our house for a good game of Settlers. They won of course, but it was a good match! And in case you don't know, they are tall as well! (see photo below)


Here is a picture of their faces... either they are really tall or we are just short. I already know the answer: Ben and I are just short :)

Also visiting the Platt family this weekend: Ryan and Amanda Malnar. They took Ben and Cael camping over the weekend and floating on the Guadalupe River. A good time was had by all! Brecon and I were very sad that we couldn't go... there is always next time!

And now... What you've all been waiting for (or not) Some pictures of our house and the work we have been doing. If you want to check our earlier post to view the BEFORE photos, or just enjoy the ones that are below. Really I don't know what to say about these pictures, so I just tried to explain what we did and where it fits in the house. Hopefully it makes a bit of sense.
This is a view in the kitchen, on the stove side. The window above the sink looks down into the living room (fireplace room). We are currently in the process of ordering different counter tops and a new sink, etc.. so hopefully that will happen soon. We removed all the wallpaper, changed the ceiling and painted. New appliances as well.

Here is the view from the sink side. We raised the middle cabinets to install the microwave and put in different lighting. My favorite is the double oven... it is amazing how often I use them both at the same time, very convenient.

Now the view from the kitchen nook. The cabinets next to the refrigerator were once in the laundry room, but we needed something on that wall. So we just put them up and we think they look pretty good. Here is our entertainment room, or Hawaiian Room. There isn't a before picture... I just wanted to put this one up. Basically this is where we hang out and watch our stories. Cael is obviously having a great time watching some cartoons.
This is our tile pattern in the kitchen and throughout the house. I love how it doesn't have a pattern and the different sizes.

Here is a view from the back of the fireplace room facing the dining room. You can see the Kitchen window on the right-hand side (or top). The wood floors are in the dining, fireplace, and library room. They really are nice, dark but nice.

Here is the dining room. There used to be some fabulous blue curtains, which were removed and now we have these mahogany blinds. Just Simple for now. I know the table is off-centered in the room. It is merely a temporary arrangement for the time being to give an idea of the space.

Below is a photo of Cael's bathroom. If you can recall the neon yellow wallpaper which we removed and painted this tan. The tile on the floors is new. ALSO...There is a boy in the bathtub with his clothes on...

AND now the master shower with my lovely assistant posing on the ledge. It steps up and then down, you can see the ground level with the white flip-flop. New faucet and fixtures. We sure like it.
This is the guest bathroom. Before there was a "desk sink".. which we tore out and in its' place put this pedestal, new toilet, and mirror. It helps this bathroom feel much bigger. Our guests seem to like it. Especially (but you can't see them in this picture) the safety bars in the shower. We didn't have the heart to tear them out. Safety first!
Now back to the fireplace room. New texture on the walls, paint, and some used couches fill this space nicely. We enjoy our family evenings in this room and the lucky person who is spotlighted has the privilege of standing on the edge of the fireplace so we can tell them "why we love them so". It is one of Cael's favorite moments... along with popcorn popping playing on the piano (that was a lot of P's)

A view from the steps up to the dining room. You can see in the doorway the bookcases of the library room. We are planning on putting some french doors to finish that spot

That is it for now... I better go to bed while I still can!