House Projects

Every year I am ready to try a new project.  This spring it was redoing a chair that I had purchased really cheap from a friend who was planning on recovering it but never got around to it.  The style is called a channel back chair and I had no idea how hard it was going to be for me to put back together until I took it apart.  I took lots of pictures and eventually was able to finish the project.  Lets just say that I do not have any more chair re-do's in my near future.

Brenna's Room

The next redo this past spring was Brenna's room.  She was about to turn 4 and was out of her crib so her room was transformed from the baby bedding that all three kids used to the first girl room in our house.  I had originally painted her rooms pink but I was not thrilled with pink walls and her blue bed so I decided to do a blue on blue combo.  I made the duvet cover and window treatment but purchased the wall art on Etsy and love it.  

"I AM..a daughter of a King who is not moved by the word..For my God is with me and goes before me..I do not fear because I am HIS"

Sweet Brenna Renee - Age 4

The Front Door

I am not afraid to grab a can of paint and a brush and change things every once in awhile...deciding on furniture .. now that is another story but paint - so easy to change.

The front door started out originally black..

Then this fall it changed to red...

Then this spring the yellow appeared...

And now we are back to black...

Any thoughts on this one??? 

I don't think neighbors were so in love with the yellow...it may have 

been just the wrong color ..who knows what I will try next.  

Front Hall Door

The day I changed the front door back to black I just kept going and painted the inside as well.  I think it makes the front hall feel a bit more grounded.

Some Major Catching Up To Do - Part 3

I am still trying to catch up our our last 6 months but I feel stuck in the winter!  It was a short winter for us we felt and took advantage of any snow that came our way.  This was one of the funnest nights and the kids got to play out late.  Joshua had a friend over and we passed out glow sticks and they used them in their fort and snow caves.

Brenna 3 1/2 years old

Brett's favorite thing to do is "Snow Blow" the back yard - that's how all the forts get made!

Joshua, Matthew, Rayhaan, Brenna and Sophia

The Boys Protecting their Fort

We had a warmer, yet windy, afternoon one Sunday and took the kids down to the river...Brenna was dressed in her winter princess dress.

This is a typical afternoon in our home in the winter time - a good game of Scrabble, Chess,
Monopoly , Checkers or Risk

Joshua had Silly Dress Up Day at School

Daddy hosting a weekly Tea Party - small tea cups, cream and sugar and 3 happy kids!  

Happy Birthday Brenna and Matthew

Happy 4th Birthday Brenna

It is our week of Birthdays in our family and Brenna has started things off.  Last night we had Grandpa and Nanna over for a cookout and some birthday treats for Brenna and Matthew. Brenna has been telling us for days that her birthday was coming and was so excited for finally wake up on the big day.

Here she is helping make her Birthday Cake

Later in the afternoon I captured this sweet smile when she was out playing
waiting for Grandpa and Nanna to come over.

Opening her new bracelet

Her horse barn

Brenna and Nanna Theresa

Next week Matthew will turn 7 but he got his gifts a bit early.  

Here is his new BB Gun from Grandpa and Nanna - how's that for a big smile on his face!

Joshua gave Mac a new Lego Lord of the Rings set - he is collecting them

Mac's new fishing vest - Perfect for our Summer Colorado Trip

Mac in his new Messi Jersey - His favorite soccer player

Singing Happy Birthday to our 7 & 4 year old

Thanks Grandpa and Nanna for coming over to celebrate

Birthday Treat Robots - all these little guys made it to 1st grade for Mac's School Party

Matthew and his wonderful teacher Mrs. Fernandex

Some Major Catching Up To Do - Part 2

This particular afternoon - I think it was Thanksgiving Day - it was just beautiful out.  We gathered up the kiddos ( yep the ones from next door also) and walked up around Stella Niagara on the River.  The kids ran and ran and played in the leaves - it was a wonderfully relaxing morning before off to family for food.

After Thanksgiving we went out in search of the Christmas Tree.  It has become a fun family tradition to meet with all the Longs at a local Christmas Tree Farm - It is a pretty easy place to pick out a tree - Lots of Big ones to choose from.

Cousins - Tristan, Nathan and Joshua

Next came the decorating - This time it was Joshua's turn to "top the tree"

Matthew who participated in PIP - Players in Progress - A basketball training program made his Christmas Ornament for the PIP party - he cut it out of wood and painted in himself.  

Matthew getting ready for a PIP Performance

Mac also had his 1st grade Christmas Show - so cute all the little ones were.  

They sang, read poems and told stories.

Next came Christmas Itself 

Brenna playing with Reese Christmas Eve

Brett was up to his old tricks - Glasses on Babies - Poor Boy  he was not a fan.

Can you tell out kids love playing with their baby cousin?

Matthew enjoying playing with his new Lego's Christmas Day

Brenna got her first American Girl Caroline for Christmas.
She dressed her up in a matching nightgown for Christmas Night.  I even braided their hair the same.