P-A-R-T-Y!!!!!!!!!

Welcome to our Party!  

We had a Dalmatian theme so everything was white and black with a splash of pink... yes, I said PINK.  Can you believe it?  It is kind of girlie, I know! :)

After the families arrived, the kids got to work on the two activities that I had planned.  They first added spots to the dalmatian with their name on it.  The dogs were large paper ones that a friend cut out for me (with her Cricut machine) and the spots were foam stickers.  Then they collected paper bones that we had hung around the house.  They fed their puppies these yummy treats!  So cute!

Josiah enjoyed hanging out with Miss Pat!  

After playing for a little while we opened presents before eating lunch.  

 (Teri and Esme)

 Camryn wrote this special card for Grace.  I asked her to read it for Grace.  So cute!  

We ate cake and ice cream after lunch. 

Grace saying "CHEESE" 

Madeline and her mommy

Esme eating ice cream... she isn't so sure about it!

Our happy family

We had a great party... nothing too fancy, but perfect for our family and friends. It was great having people here at our home for the first time... what a great first event!  

Before and After

I am not an interior designer...not by a long shot!  I am not even sure what my style of decorating is... it is just what I like.... a mix of things really.  I think I would call it "updated country".  I like navy blue which is very country, but I also like update looks.  I am a LOT less cluttered than I used to be...

We have been decorating and painting and moving furniture for a few weeks now and have things pretty much in place.  Many have been asking how it is coming... so here are the before and afters to see our new home!   Hope you like it... COME AND VISIT US to see the rest of the place!  :)

This is the kitchen.  We painted, replaced the appliances, replaced the flooring, added knobs and pulls to the cabinets, etc.

This is our living room. 

This is our family room.  It is amazing what painting and carpeting can do!!!

This is the upstairs bath.  It is the only bathroom that we have redecorated.  It had boogers and spitballs all over the walls which I had to scrape before painting... GROSS!! I am so glad to have that taken care of!

There is still SO MUCH TO DO, but we are working on it... little by little.  We are really liking this place, though.  We are feeling more like at home here in Iowa with our own place that we can take care of and personalize!  

I am SO crazy about this boy... wouldn't you be?

GRACE IS FOUR... birthday pictures

We are having a party on Saturday for her and Hannah, but here are a few pictures of her birthday...

 Yes, that is CHRISTMAS WRAPPING PAPER...she didn't care!!!  

 She was SO EXCITED to get an alarm clock!  She loves numbers (and letters) and loves to tell time.  We love the present, too, because she must stay in bed until 7:00!  YIPPEE!!

Hannah had to help!

(Do you like Hannah's hair down?)

Puzzles, puzzles, puzzles.... boy, does she love puzzles...STILL!