Espresso Anyone?

(double click to enlarge this photo)

The cement countertops were installed today along with the sink. I think they turned out just great. The color is perfect (I call it espresso bean) and I love all of the slight variations and imperfections that give it a hand crafted look. I can't wait to see the backsplash installed in the background of these beauties. For the next 30 days we'll have to be careful with the countertops while they do their final curing and once a year I'll need to put on another coat of the finish on top that makes them so shiny (not bad if you ask me). Mr. Franke also took up residence today. He'll have a garbage disposal attached and faucet installed soon. It will be very exciting to have an operation sink again. The laundry tub is not my favorite place to fill up my water bottle. Appliances were ordered this week and I picked out pendant lamps and a fixture for above the sink. The ceiling fan that I picked out (remember I don't actually have or need air conditioning) for the dining area didn't match like I'd hoped so I am still on the quest for that. It's really starting to come together!

Super soccer player

We enjoyed watching Adam in action at his soccer game last Saturday. His team won 5 to 0 with one of the points being Adam's surprise long distance kick. It was fine.

Changes . . .

Hi Everyone,
The blog will be undergoing some aesthetic changes as I am experimenting with the new draft of blogger.  It is not in full form yet so don't be surprised if things often look different over the next couple of weeks.  I'd love your feedback on what you like and what you don't like!

Tracy

Another Great Weekend!!!

This Faith and Chopper

Faiths new sandbox, we made it out of an old tractor tire. Its the perfect size!

Joe and his dad were doing some clean up in the yard and Faith was a "big helper"

Faiths new Four Wheeler! It stinks though becasue the batter i bought doesnt hold a charge and now she has this great 4 wheeler that she can't use untill i find the right battery to order.

Faith and I were practicing adding at our picnic. Its never to early to learn to add!

Another one of Faiths pictures. I can't believe how well she centers us.

So Faith and I had to go to marquette on Friday for DNA testing. We did fine, but faith didnt want to open her mouth for the swab. So i did the only thing i could besides hold her mouth open, Bribe her. I told her she could pick out something at walmart. I was thinking she would pick out a baby or something for playing outside. Oh no, she picks out a dragonfly cupcake cake. It is cute, but oh boy. (FYI it was really good though). So next time i know to be a little more specific when i bribe! LOL

It's Not a Pain - This New Stain

Loving the stain.
Friday they sanded the kitchen floor and the floor in Carrie's bedroom and laid down the first layer of stain. Saturday the floors received a second coat of stain and it matches perfectly with the rest of the floors - so the entire first floor is hardwood stained in the same color. I am so happy with this decision. I believe that the countertops will be installed sometime this week or next - Woot! Woot!

Family Camping

We're all set to go camping July 16-18 at Van Riper State Park! I made the reservations tonight for 3 sites. We'll have 2 pop-up campers (ours and Grandma's/Addy's) and tents. There will be plenty of room for everyone! If anyone wants to start camping earlier or stay longer, let me know and I can send you our site numbers. I'm so looking forward to this and am thrilled we found a weekend for everyone able to go this year! Tracy will win the award for traveling the greatest distance ... I think this may be the first award winner in some kind of game I've yet to complete. There will be prizes!

Can't wait to camp and enjoy some sunny days and smiles together!

Love, Joy

Camping Camping Camping

I'm really looking forward to going camping with everyone in July.  Hopefully we will be able to do this each year, we could start a new tradition, wait a minute, it's not a new tradition - it's a revived tradition.  I remember all of those good times when the cousins went camping together.  Do you remember?

I remember . . .

• being at an art fair and buying a Jacob's Ladder and then sitting next to Aunt Carol when a bird pooped on her - it was shocking.
• going to Yellowstone Park and seeing a bear and making a song up about it.  I also remember visitng one of the falls at the park.  It had a big rock formation jutting out from behind the water.  I was 2 years old (Alaina's age) and I kept thinking to myself that I didn't understand why the rock wouldn't fall.
• making Grandma laugh so hard at the "garage sale" jokes that she, well, umm, how should I put this?, tinkled
• touring Lake Superior
• making forts out of Grandma and Grandpa's lounger chairs that bent in two places to make a teepee shape
• celebrating birthdays on the picnic tables
• riding our bikes at the campgrounds
• building big fires together

We had so much fun and I am so excited to see the tradition is being revived and carried on to the next generation.

Latest Before & Afters

The pictures on the left are from the night before demo started. The pictures on the right are the current status of the kitchen. There still is a lot more that will be happening but boy, oh, boy has this kitchen come a LONG LONG way. I couldn't be more pleased! (I take that back - I was disappointed that we didn't find a stash of money hidden behind the walls, oh well).

Evolution of the Display Cabinet

Her Royal Majesty

Espresso Bean

The countertops were poured this week (done offsite) and will probably be installed next week. This is the sample countertop in the color I had been wanting - Espresso Bean. I like how the chocolate glaze on the cabinets, the countertop, and the tile coordinate so well. My color palate was inspired by nature. I figure that colors of nature are timeless. So imagine a robin sitting on her bluish green eggs. I will use some form of red or burnt orange in my accessories to bring it all together. I love robins - but that's another story for another day.

Mother Daughter Dessert

On Tuesday our church had its annual Mother Daughter Dessert and we have been able to go every year. We had a nice time being with friends and Family. Look how much fun Faith is having! LOL

I really like this picture

This picture makes my heart melt! Wish Faith would have been looking at the camera, but its still so cute.

Look they even match!

Woodland treasures

I just love jack-in-the-pulpits. Each day I find new signs of Spring on our property.

Tracy, I love the new look on the blog. You sure do a beautiful job. Thank you for your efforts. I enjoy reading the blog every day.

Hi All,

Hey, What's up with the guys in this family? Don't they know how to blog? I challange all you guys to post. Who will be the first one?

Love, Debbie

Singing in Church

Faith sang in church on Mothers Day. Check out the end of the clip, its kind of funny.

Music time!

This a video from my camera so it isn't that great, but i had rented Faith a few movies one weekend and on one of the Barbie movies two girls sang and played the guitar. So Faith pulls out her guitar and starts strumming and singing the parts of the song that she knew. It was soooo cute!!

Mother's Day

We all had a great Mothers Day!

Faith outside of Walstroms
Winter was helping with my little gigger!

I really like this picture of Grandma and her kids!

Tulip White

I wonder how these tulips felt this weekend when they were greeted by snow?

Happy Mother's Day

We celebrated Mother's Day with Mom at Walstroms Restaurant. We took this picture outside after we ate our delicious brunch. Happy Mother's Day, Mom!