Can I get an AMEN!!

Don't pass out, but we actually have one room of our huge remodeling project upstairs DONE!! And I have the pictures to prove it!! I've also added some "before"'s of what it used to look like up there!

This is a "before" of the attic space and dormer off to the front of the house.

This is a look at the framed closet of our bedroom and the new doorway to the bathroom.View from our bedroom THE tub. . and yes, that is a cable hookup, Matt said "someday you're going to want a tv there, so I'm just being prepared!!"

A "before" look back toward the doorway, toward where the linen closet and "commode" would go.A look at the framed doorway and door to the new shower.A view toward the shower The fabulous "spa" shower (double shower heads, body jets, etc.) Another view of the shower. . .this time, the seat!

And the best part this time of year. . .take a look at my tree!! And now for the inspiration for the bathroom (at least the sinks), I made Matt look at this and keep it up there so he could duplicate it, and he did so AWESOME!! (Our scanner is off in some closet so a picture of a picture is the best I could do, but you get the idea!)
I still need to add the little details, but I love this sink area!

So, as for the rest of the upstairs, our awesome painter Graham has saved the day (I'm so OVER painting, after 3 years!) He's just touching up trim and filling nail holes, etc, this week so more pictures will be coming!!

I'm stirring and stirring my brew. . . .

Day two (three, four) is coming. . .I promise. . .but in the meantime. .





BOO! Here's some pictures from our Halloween. . .


punkins. . .
Here's our trunk or treat car. . .Me and the girls, I'm some sort of spider woman, something or other. . .Our monster car. . .Roar. . . . The girlies. . .Madison, here in vintage 70's (courtesy of my fabulous Mom.. . .I mean check out that outfit!), afro wig, platforms and shades. .

Molly. . .the PERFECT Dorothy. Although, truth be told, it's all about the dog. .

Whitney. . .our little Minnie (or as she said Mimmie). Adorable.

And now onto the food!!! Here's a look back at last years goodies. . .

Spider jello, devilish eggs. . .(eww. .even the hardboiled eggs were an orangey/brown/looking like a 1,000 year old egg color),



a mummy and ghost pineapple brought their goodies. . .(grapes dressed up like a cucumber) Oreo eyeballs anyone??
And spider cupcakes. . .

These were quite a treat! I made "Bat wings". . .acutally just chicken wings with a teryaki sauce and some green and blue food coloring. . .they looked down right nasty but they were delish. .you just had to eat with your eyes closed!

And the throw up pumpkin was back this year for the taco dip! Also, not pictured (stew, spagetti and meatballs and GOOULash)

Here's my brain cupcakes. .

The classic quote of the night has to come from sweet Whitney, after she had already licked off the frosting of two cupcakes with tears running down her face. .

"more brains please. . "

Happiest Place Part 1

Day ONE

We had the most awesome flight (Direct!) from Omaha to LAX. It was only 3 hours and the kids were great (who cares if we let them spend some money from their Grandpa to buy their own little DVD players. . .spoiled? NO! Smart Mom I say!)

We arrived just shortly after 8am, and made our way to the rental car place where Whitney peed all over herself (those darn pullups don't hold nothin'!), it leaked all over her, the stroller and leaked out the bottom of the stroller. . .holy cow, how much water did I give her?

We drove maybe 10 miles to Manhattan Beach. We even found close parking! The kids ran straight for the sand and water. They had a blast. There were quite a few surfers and walkers/runners too (how the heck can they run in that stuff??). I didn't put the kids in their swimsuits because of course they'll behave and not get too wet since we have no towels, etc. Oh well, they had a good time and mostly obeyed (except Whitney--that's how she ended up in just a diaper).

We walked down to the pier and as we walked Matt looked out and noticed a dolphin about 25 feet out in the water. Oh wait, not just A dolphin, but about 6-7! We watched them play in the surf and even ride the waves in like the surfers. Amazing and the kids loved it. This was the best I could do for a picture.

What's the matter with your eyes? Can't you see them??

After we had had enough and were dried off enough to brush the sand off, we headed for the car. Here's the rest of our day. . .

**Drove down Santa Monica Blvd., and happened to drive right by the Temple!

**Drove down one of the "lined with palm trees" streets in Beverly Hills.

**Found the HOLLYWOOD sign in the hills.

**Illegally saw and took a picture at the Hollywood Bowl. The guy at the gate told us to just walk right up, SO WE DID! They were preparing for the Dave Matthews Band--the kids could just watch themselves at the hotel right??

**Drove down Hollywood Blvd. Parked and walked a bit on the Hollywood Stars.

**Saw Graumans Chinese Theater. (and a bunch of creepy people dressed up like superheros/moviestars/elmo), and was about accosted by every other person handing us something. . .

**Saw the Kodak theater, and walked the red carpet (well, at least where the red carpet WOULD be if there was one).

**Drove by the Beverly Hills Hotel. . .but didn't see Dillon McKay ANYWHERE!!

We didn't see any stars but after reading my People from last Friday, how did I NOT run into Britney that day? Honestly, I guess I could've shopped in Bel Air and gone to the DMV. Oh well.
We made our way toward Anaheim in lovely LA traffic, stopped to pick up snacks and water and headed for the hotel. The Residence Inn Maingate. Fabulous. We had a two room loft suite (kids had a bunk bed and we were upstairs in the loft. Two bathrooms, full kitchen and living room. It was great. My sister Lisa and family arrived around 8pm and were right next door at the hotel. My brother and his family got in later that night too. We hung out, got kids to bed and played cards before heading to bed.

Coming up. ..Day 2 (Disneyland!!), and more family arrives!

. . . Day 3 (Disneyland--breakfast with Minnie, the debut of the Grandpa camp shirts, and California Adventure)

. . .Day 4 (last day for Disney and Cal. Adv., princess breakfast and late night)

. . .Day 5 (last day with Family, time to head home)