We're going somewhere!

So, stuff on the house has really taken off the last few days(only to probably be put on hold AGAIN tomorrow when we are expected to get 8-12 inches of stupid snow! GRR!) Brent was able to put in the window to our new dining room and we installed and put the first stain on our pantry. I LOVE the way the pantry is going to look and it will be SO NICE to have the extra storage. So, here are some pictures. They're out framing up the mudroom/laundry room addition as I type this! YAY!
The nice hole in our wall before the window was in:

Here is what they found as insulation around the window in our bedroom when they went to replace it on Friday. I think I'll wash it up and wear it to church;)
A pretty recent pic of the outside, except now all the siding is off and its all tar papered.
Temporary look of dining space:
Pre-pantry:
Installed:
After a coat of stain: We've got one more coat of stain to do and then some poly.

We had a birthday party for Matty and Callie this weekend, since Callie's was postponed earlier due to us having the flu. It was really neat to get all the cousins together. Here are some pictures from that:

I thought it was cute that Matty pushed Callie on the car:
And Gma Debbie and her grandkids:
I must brag some about my awesome and wonderful husband. There is NO ONE I'd rather be remodeling with than him. He is so patient and level headed, not to mention very talented and handy. I really appreciate all the hard work he has put into the house, not only now but since we've bought this place. He is so hardworking and I appreciate him very much!!! Thanks, baby!

This one goes out to the one I love...

This blog is about our life and about our kids, but its about time I wrote some good things about the man of our family. I've learned its kind of hard to keep up with things with each other while looking after three kiddos. I'm not the best at showing Brent how I feel about him. I often assume he just knows it, but its good to hear it once in awhile. So, to Brent: I really appreciate all that you do for our family. I appreciate that you get up and go to work every day for our family. I appreciate that you NEVER complain about the difficult things that come with three small children and a stay-at-home wife. I appreciate how helpful you are with the kids and how kind you are to me. Thanks for always being so cool and patient with me when I've had "one of those days"(even though it seems I've been having quite a few of them lately). Thanks for denying yourself things I know you'd like for our family. Thanks for your great example of godly living to our boys. Thanks for trying so hard at all you do, I notice it. I don't know how I got so lucky snagging you as my husband, but I'm sure glad I did. I love you very much, and am so glad to call you mine.

Weekend Recap

I am so tired right now! I could probably sleep for a good 24 hours straight. The younger two are napping(hopefully) and Hunter is having some quiet time(I think this is really the end of his naps.) We had a fun but busy weekend.

Brent's birthday was Thursday, and he wanted to go to the movies. My sister and bro in law were going to be up, so the plan was for them to watch the kids. We were planning on going to the late show so the kids were in bed anyway, and I thought it'd be easy. Callie woke up 5 mins after we left and was up when I got back at 11:30! That little stinker. I thought the plan was fool proof since she doesn't wake up till 4 usually. Brent stayed at the theatre and went to the midnight showing of the Dark Night with Alex. They were back about 3. Laci and I stayed up talking until mom and dad got in at 1 or so and Callie was up a few more times in the night, so that wasn't the greatest sleep start to the weekend. Brent had fun at the movies, though, so that was totally worth it.

Friday we went to the fair and park with the kids. They enjoyed seeing the cows, pigs, horses, ducks, bunnies and other furry things.

Saturday we went to a town an hour and a half away for a wedding. That was the reason the whole family was up. It was a nice, simple wedding. We came home and took a family picture:


My sister and bro-in-law were off to Hawaii Saturday night. They are expecting their first in February, so I hope she is feeling alright for their trip. Mom and dad left this morning for their vacation to the east coast, and I hope they have a great time as well. I feel jealous that I can't go on a vacation. We always go to Iowa, which is fine, but it'd be nice to go somewhere else. I know that most people don't go on vacations, but we always went on one every summer growing up, so it seems like somethings always missing. Last year we went camping with friends over the fourth at a place about three hours away, and that felt like a vacation. I was reading this blog this morning about having a "staycation" and I think that may be what we need. We are planning a weekend overnight to the cities in August, but I really want some uninterrupted JUST family time. There is enough stuff in our area to do that we never do that we could totally make a staycation fun. It's something we're thinking about.

Well, I'm going to go try to rest...