the princess sleeps here......almost

I haven't updated in awhile and I thought I might give you a little glimpse of what is going on in our renovation today.
This is where our princess will sleep someday. The first 3 pictures are from a couple of weeks ago and the last 3 are from the day we bought the house. Today the crown molding is going up and the first coat of paint is on. The paint is Ben Moore Elephant Tusk and I'm going to paint the trim a soft pink. The ceilings have been my largest concern, either elephant tusk, a light cream or white. I am leaning towards white. What do you think?

Friend Birthday Party

Bella Ruth celebrated her 6th birthday with friends at the "Fun Factory and Laser Tag". It was lots of fun, and a great place for the kiddos to run some energy off. It has been very snowy and everyone was a little stir crazy.

It was a c0-party with one of my best friends son, Nicholas. He was turning 9.

Waiting on Mama to light the candles.

Blowing out the big 6!

Look who can't wait for cake. ;0)

Riding on the train is lots of fun for the little ones.

Brothers just hanging out.

Miss Rhea brought the babies for their first official outing!

Papa and Nana just watching all of the fun.

Reese, Bella Ruth's cousin.

And Anna, her other cousin.

Bella Ruth loved opening all of her presents. We waited until we got home because the kiddos were having too much fun to take time to stop and open gifts. Thanks everyone!

Bella Ruth turns 6!!

Bella Ruth turned 6 on January 23rd. We had a small family party on her actual birthday, and then a celebration with friends later that weekend. She requested a cake from a little local Bake Shoppe that she loves their sweets and salads.
First we had a basketball game and then it was time to eat cake.

Our little family photo. Looking at this photo makes me just smile, this was the first birthday that I hadn't dressed everyone in matching outfits. I have learned to just enjoy the moment and not worry about the little details. Now don't let me fool you, this does not happen often.

Mama and the birthday girl. Also baby brother has to be included in all pictures. Too funny.

Daddy with the birthday girl. Little brother too!

Time for cake!!

Look who wants to blow out the candles with his big sister!

But she will stop that......

with a little hand action.......

until he gives up!!!

Now he wants the candles with all of that yummy icing!

Little brothers!!!!!

Happy Birthday Princess! I love you to the moon and back...... 1,000,000,000 times.

Family Room Update

I thought that I would give you a little update on the new house. I decided to paint all of the ceilings and walls in the Family Room Benjamin Moore's Antique White. I am SO happy that I could talk my hubby into painting the walls because it really feels like a new room. I'm a little worried that the paint I decided to go with has a little too much pink, but I think that once I have everything in place it will be fine. I almost went with Linen White but was worried it just didn't have enough color for such a huge space.

You are probably wondering when we started since it looks nowhere near finished. Well we started November 2nd and the room is a little more complete than this, but not much. We have had some major painting issues, plus the painter has been prepping the rest of the house. Our painter is a very kind person but has a hard time showing up for work. We are now hiring a new painter to either "help" him or take over the job.

Back to the room.....I have ordered a tight Berber that is called basket weave. It looks like a sisal and I really do love it. My sweet hubby was insistent on carpet in this one room so I happily ;) gave in. I really could see a beautiful slate or brick floor in here. I am going to paint the bar cabinets either a dark blue or antique white. I also want to cover the spiral stairs in an animal print carpet. I'm starting to think about slipcovers, new furniture, and a mounted elk or deer head over the fireplace mantle, which is going to be a piece of driftwood from the Mississippi River since it is so close to us. Enjoy the pictures and I'll be back with the progress we have made in the kitchen soon.

Heels for Hope

Bella Ruth holding Violet at Heels for Hope. Rosemary is in the boa and my Mom is passing out the meter reader for the runners.

This past September Bella Ruth and I participated in a run/walk in OKC. The walk was for Ovarian Cancer research in honor of our dear friend Rosemary. Rosemary and her husband have lived next door to my parents since I was 6 years old. Our families are extremely close. My children love her children and we all spend lots of time together. Rosemary was diagnosed with stage 4 Ovarian Cancer in April 2008. She has been through various treatment courses and has proven to be an extremely resilient patient. We can't wait for "Heels for Hope" in September 2010. I think that even the "boys" in our house are going to participate!!

My friend, Amy, and I are off to Memphis... let the first real day of shopping for the new house begin! Yipee!!!!!!!

New Kitchen....the before

Well the remodeling is in full swing at our new "old" house. Contractors, painters and electricians are all working daily. We have begun the painting of the den, all antique white, with the exception of the beams which are staying dark.
This house was built in 1850's and we just love it. It actually was an alf-alfa farm during the civil war and provided the feed to the donkeys in the south. It has a great history with even a secret room that was used for the underground railroad. As many of you know we were about to begin building a house and even had the lot and contractor all ready when this house became available we actually couldn't pass it up. We still have our lots and our house plan so who knows what will happen someday.

Here is the kitchen. This room is under major renovation right now. We are going to choose the counter tops in the next week. I am thinking of using white moon quartzite on the island (looks like marble but is very tough) and either black honed granite or black soapstone on the actual counter tops. Does anyone have any suggestions?

The cabinets are going to be a creamy white and the island a rubbed black. The floor is staying (wide plank walnut) and the walls are going to be palladian blue by Benjamin Moore. I am going to have a farmhouse sink in the island and a 6 burner cook top. We are also tearing the ceiling out and raising it about 18 inches. Can't wait to hear any ideas that you may have:)

Hugs,

Chesnye