THE kitchen project

It's DONE!!!  The kitchen remodel has been a work in progress for a long time.  We started by ripping up the white linoleum (with blue flowers) and tiling the floor a couple years ago.  Then, about a month ago we decided to finish the job and refinish the cupboards and install granite counters.  This has been such a time consuming project its a huge relief to be done!  Every night we would work into the wee hours stripping, sanding, varnishing, applying polyurethane and it always took about 10 times longer than expected.  But, now that its done it was so worth it!  We love our new kitchen.  There's a lot of heart, soul, and love in there now.

This before picture is terrible. I know.  Its all I could find.  I can't believe we didn't get a good before picture!

 Here's a close up to see our motivation to take this project on...ugly water damage and wear.

At least I have a midway picture.  So I can never forget the chaos of living in the midst of a kitchen remodel. the best part is when you have no running water!  Experience the bad to appreciate the good, right?

Grandma and Grandpa

 We love when Grandma and Grandpa come to visit!  When they arrived they were full of exciting news!  They're moving to Utah! They are buying a business and soon to be building a new house.  Its great that they will be so much closer to us but still kind of sad that they won't be in Chicago. They will have moved before this Christmas, so visits and holidays will certainly be different!

Grandpa and Grandma definitely kept us entertained... and vice versa.  Let's just say there was ALOT of laughing that week.  The visit was too short, but we hope to be seeing more of them once are a bit closer to our side of the country!

And they brought a surprise with them- doll furniture and barbies!  This activity has provided HOURS upon hours of fun at our house.  Its all very sentimental too.   The furniture was hand made by my Grandma (scroll saw, painting, sewing, building,etc.).  The clothes were designed and sewn by my mom.  I have great memories playing with these barbies for hours on end when I was little.

Now, I just HAD to get a picture of this little setup, created by Lizzie.  This doll is all packed up and ready to go!  This is just how Lizzie prepares to go anywhere.  She's a little hoarder at heart and tries to carry all her belonging with her where ever she goes.  So funny to see her little habits portrayed by her dolls..haha.