Scary...

No, Jake is not becoming a mime....this is what we have looked like for the past week every night. We took on the task of painting our own basement from complete raw form. All that was done was the tape and texture. We had to fill in all the nail holes, calk the windows, and moldings, and then prime. Jake learned how to use a spray gun, and that saved a TON of time. We were able to spray the primer, and all the white paint. Jake painted the ceilings and moldings last night with white, and tonight we get to apply the color (thats the fun part). It has been a crazy week, we were so excited in the begining to take on the "experience," and "save money." Well, after all that is said and done, I think that we will save ourselves about $600. That seems like a lot, but with all the time it has taken and juggling kids in a filthy non carpet environment it might not have been so worth it. Ohh well, we have learned a ton, and have grown a huge respect for all the people that have worked on our home, and all the work that has gone into it. It takes a lot! Plus it feels good to get our hands dirty, and take some pride in our home.

Before and After....

We havn't even moved in yet and we have already given Gracies room a little makeover. Her room started out as this really really bright pink color, we thought it would be fun to let Gracie choose her color. It was a little bright, in fact you could see the reflection from downstairs. She already has problems with nightmares, and we were afraid she would just lie awake at night freaked out cause her room was glowing. I decided we would keep the room pink, but it would be a much softer pink. So the end result I was very happy with, it was well worth the effort, and it was never going to get done after the carpet came it. Lets hope Gracie will sleep a little better at night..

Almost Done!!!!

Fun things are happening at the house! We are getting so close the the final day. We hopefully start moving in this weeked, the carpet and appliances will be in this week, so I will update the photos. This is obviously our kitchen and greatroom, both turned out more amazing then we ever imagined. Fun..Fun!!

Happy Birthday Ben!! Feb. 11, 2008

Ben turned three! Hurray! As you can see out of all the cakes in the world, he chose Lighting Mcqueen. (Thanks for the idea Mandy!) I have such respect for people that do this sort of thing year after year. This was my first character cake, boy was it a chore!! WoW, it took forever, and it didn't help when I popped the cake out and all the impressions were stuck at the bottom of the pan. Nice... so this was all done free hand, sadly. I later read the instructions to spray AND flour the pan...opps. (Future reference!) It was fun to learn though, and Ben had a blast. I have included a picture of his favorite present, thats right, the suitcase! He is such a funny kid, he wanted one so bad and seriously asked for it for a month. He was so delighted when he got it. He loves to put his treasures in it, and pretend to go to grandmas house. That was a easy birthday to buy for this year!! Happy birthday buddy!

The Snow is Over Taking Us!

As you can see we have a little bit of snow here in Frostburg, Idaho!  Wow, it has been a crazy February we finally had a sunny day today. These pictures are taken on a back-road in some potato fields that we live by, and drive through to get to our new house.  We have been wanting to catch these drifts...(is there a pun there?).. before they melted down.  These are the biggest drifts I have ever seen in my life, and they line this road for about 2 miles, it feels like you are driving down a snow tunnel.  I will post a picture of our neighborhood tomorrow, cause everyone is covered in snow.  I was telling my mom, if we were to throw Ben off our Porch, into our front yard we would lose him.  The snow would be well over his head!  We don't have anything blocking our yard, and we live right next to a huge field, so that doesn't help.  Our poor UPS guy and mail lady just love us!  Our steps are about waist deep under the snow and we can't control it cause of the wind. Fun times... needless to say we are so ready for spring around here! Anyone Else??

Our little Nashville Star!

Ben has been so much fun lately, he received a guitar for Christmas, and plays it non stop.  He is becoming a pro at recognising his favorites on CMT and the Radio. He loves to "play" Keith Urban, Rascal Flatts and Tim McGraw.  Such a funny boy, maybe someday he'll be able to look back on these pictures and say he's been singing since he was 3!  (That's what they always say on Idol...) =)

LGN Challenge...

Here we go... Tomorrow marks the start of our "LGN" body/weight loss challenge.  Today we had crepes for lunch and Pancakes for dinner.  (Gracie was craving Pancakes all week, and crepes are a Sunday tradition) We sort of had a farewell to Junk food this weekend and this was just the icing on the cake.  Whew... I am so ready to start part of my new years res. and tone up and get ready for yet another ST. George Marathon. (Hurray!)  Jake and I put together a couples challenge kind of like a "Biggest Loser" challenge, but it is not going to be all based on weight loss, there are lots of components. We have about 8 couples competing so far and we are so excited! For those of you that know us, Jake and I love a little competition =). It is going from January 14, 2008 until April 28th.  Anyone that wants to jump on the band wagon is welcome!  We have a couple of requirements like you have to be in a pair (doesn't have to be married couples, it can be friends also) a Before and After Photo and a $100 per couple "entry" fee that goes in a pot, and the winners take all!  It actually all goes towards a Caribbean Cruise or an equivalent trip. (Jake promised to pick up the rest of the cost that the pot doesn't fill! Thanks Babes!) Fun, Fun!!  For those of you with workingout on your resolution list, this could be a fun way to do it, let me know by Wednesday and I'll send you all the stuff, and we'll count ya in!!  Good Luck Everyone!