Fortress of Darkness, Man Cave, Whatev.

When looking for our home Husband had basically one requirement, there had to be a large basement that he could turn into the Man Cave. Oh and he gets to paint the walls black so that he can basically live in a cave. His window covering idea? Duct taping cardboard over all of the windows, because that's classy. I was able to convince him we can get blackout curtains so that he can go about his vampire ways. 

Over the past couple weeks I have been working on his tv stand. When we moved a friend of my MIL gave us an old dresser, Husband hated it and stomped his feet the whole way to get it, but I loved it. Here is the before and after and I am so happy with how it turned out.

Yup, phone pictures because I was too lazy to go upstairs and get the camera. Once the basement is done I'm going to take nice pictures..maybe. 

Weekend Fun Times.

This weekend included:

Kitchen painting. 

Shelf painting.

Hook hanging. 

Baseboard replacing. 

Board games and drinks with friends. 

Lessons learned that tequila and I are not friends.
Sisters were here and once again no pictures taken. 

I see the light at the end of the kitchen tunnel (thank goodness) and maybe can have it all done by the end of next weekend. 

Hello blue wall

What started out as cleaning the baseboard soon turned into replacing the baseboard

I can't wait for my kitchen to be back in some kind of order

Thumb war

He is clearly happy about his picture being taken

Candice in her party hat 

I drew a card and had to have the top of the game box under my shirt the ENTIRE game. So uncomfortable.

I have no idea. 

Easter.

Did you have a nice Easter?

It didn't even feel like Easter to me.

Went to church in the morning, and met our new pastor and his family, still haven't made up my mind about that situation yet. Out to lunch with the usually group. Then home to work on house projects. 

We didn't eat Easter dinner until about 9 that night, when Husby's parents got home. By the time we were done eating I took one look at the kitchen and decided it was time for bed. 

The highlight of my day was talking to Jamie Jo and planning her arranged marriage. Yes, that's right she may be in Croatia right now but I'm lining up a husband for her when she gets back. During worship at the second service I might have been walking through the crowd with Jamie on FaceTime, trying to find get a picture of future husband. I know I'm kind of a creep.

House projects are finally getting done, almost all of my dining room furniture has it's first coat of primer and the kitchen in nearing completion. My goal is to have the inside done before the end of May. Totally doable. I've also learned that I need structure in my life, I'm much more productive when I don't have time to watch Dateline 6 hours a day. Currently planning a wedding (not mine), planning a baby girl's first birthday, working full time, keeping my shop going and getting our house done. Some people think I'm crazy but I LOVE it. 

 Ham : Garlic Green Beans : Cheesy Potatoes : Sugar Free Strawberry Shortcake Trifles

 

Right before Fuentes got in big trouble for putting his face on the table. 

 This is the chair project, and it's finally happening. I've only had them for a year now.

And a little side note. Apparently my cake stands were featured in the May issue of Parenting Magazine. Now to troll the grocery stores to find a copy. 

Date Night.

On Tuesday night Husby and I went to a concert. The first one we have been to (together) in about 2 years. 

We felt like the oldest people there. We were surrounded by high-school students and all I could think was that I don't want teenagers. I want future children to stay little forever.

I felt so out of place because we weren't dressed in the apparent theme of the night...which was black. I guess hardcore = black and not red and white polka dots. Husband and I love Christian hardcore music and my most favorite band ever was playing that night. There were 4 other bands playing, none of which we had ever heard of, but apparently quite popular with kids because the show sold out. Yep teenagers are now kids to me.

It was pretty much the perfect concert because we got there right before the Oh, Sleeper went on, left right after and I was in bed at 10...win. Also win for being over 21, so I can watch a concert without being shoved and trampled, plus the bar was upstairs and had the perfect view. 

*photos taken with my phone 

Stepford.

Is it strange that I kind of want to live in Stepford, minus the whole creepy robot thing. To say that I love that movie would be an understatement, it's my most favorite of all time. The colors, the dresses, the houses, the tea parties, oh and the 4th of July festival. That movie just makes my heart smile and for some reason makes me all kinds of motivated to get my house in order and crafty projects done. 

On our long drive home from Washington I told Husby that if I had lots of money I would have my own town, and it would be like Stepford. That's about the time he told me that I couldn't pay him to live there. He doesn't even know what he'd be missing, because it would be amazing! 

When I have waaaay to much time on my hands these are the kinds of things I think about. 

Merry Christmas.

Merry Christmas from my family to yours!

Motivation.

I'm finally starting to feel normal again, still have a hard time breathing but breathing is overrated right? Yeah, I think so too. Now I just need my motivation back.As I was staring at Christmas tree today (yes it all up and decorated and I will post pictures later) I decided that I want to start a tradition of taking a family picture in front of it every year. Well in order for that to happen I need to paint the wall and finish my curtains so tonight I will begin that process. Painting our little home has turned into a much bigger process than I first thought, which is why it's taken me forever and a day to begin. Here is the plan for tonight:

-Remove and replace old caulking

-fill holes

-clean walls

-start painting the trim

Fingers crossed I get it all done.

The following pictures have absolutely nothing to do with the above.

Last night I was going back looking through all of our pictures and it reminded me how much fun we've had together over the last 4 years. Oh. My. Goodness. I can't believe we been together for 4 years and married for 3. I love Husby so so much, all these pictures bring back the best memories.

New Years 2008

Our 1st wedding anniversary in Seattle

Husby's 25th birthday party

I found this gem on my camera months after it had been taken

Lately.

So much is going on right now and needs to be done I don't know where to start. 

Right now we are currently living in a little house attached to Husbands parents and it's fantastic. We have been on the fence about whether or not to move out but we have decided to stay until we are ready to buy our own house. This means it's time to start making this little place our own! I don't want to spend too much money because we won't be here for more than a few years but I do want to make it some place that I feel comfortable in. First step: switching out all of the furniture in the house for ours, which has been in storage. 

I'm really excited to get everything done and can't wait for this to feel like home. Here are some before pictures of what our place looks like. It's really blah and a 90's flashback but that's all about to change. I plan to show little projects that I'm working on plus before and afters and can't wait to see how it turns out. I know the holidays are the absolute perfect time to start this but I just couldn't wait! Here's hoping I finish before we move out. 

 

Montana.

Our quick trip to Montana was perfect.

We got to catch up with friends and help with the Smith's big day.

They got married at a ranch in Helena and it was BEAUTIFUL! Here are some pictures we took and I will share more once the photographer's come back. 

In other news... I have a new shop!!!!! **squeal** 

A big thanks to my Mother and Father in law because they totally surprised me the other night at dinner. I will be moving in this weekend and will share pictures once I've got it all set up.  I can't wait, there will be so much more room for activities (Stepbrothers, anyone?). 

Front of the party barn

The view from every direction

Signs I made for all of the cupcakes

Cute sign by Jacqui

Carrot Cupcakes on a new cake stand design

Me and Husby

September.

Goodbye August. Hello September.

I'm still at my parents where the weather is already cool and the leaves are changing. Fall is in the air and I can't wait until it finally arrives in Utah.

Now that it's the 1st, the official birthday countdown has begun. Husby and I turn 26 in a couple weeks (we are two days apart) cra-zay! We will both have the week off and I see camping, hiking and lake time in my future, and hopefully country dancing. Husband if you are reading this I think we should have birthday weekend, celebrate mine on Friday and your's on Saturday. So you should probably plan for everybody to go dancing that night, and by you I mean I'm not going to do anything but show up. Please and thank you.

I'm off to finish the 500 invitations I am working on for my friends wedding, they are taking for.ev.er. 

Our 24th Birthday Camping Trip

Home.

Trails to explore. 

Creeks to float on. Bikes to ride. 

Birthday's to celebrate (Happy Birthday twin brothers!). 

Tons of puppy time. Trips to the beach.

And lots of family time. 

I love being here.

Pineview.

Yesterday Husband and I spent the afternoon at Pineview Reservoir. The weather was perfect and the lake was beautiful. We have decided to make it a after church tradition and I can't wait to go back! 

 Husband + Diet Coke + Martha +Real Simple = Perfect Afternoon. 

Easter.

I hope everyone had a lovely Easter. 

It didn't even feel like Easter to me, just another Sunday, except husband and I dressed up (I may have convinced him to wear a bow tie, it was darling). 

There wasn't a big Easter dinner, our family wasn't together for maybe more than 30 minutes, plus the weather was extra gloomy that day. We went to the early church service and when we got home there were 150 cupcakes waiting to be frosted. Like I said, just another Sunday. 

Husband made out nicely in the gifts department. Actually not even gifts but this weekend in general was all about him. TONS of new clothes, he is all set for summer now, 2 new PS3 games, new books, shoes...and the list goes on. He didn't get me anything but I am 100% ok with this because I will just go buy goodies for our home and call it my present AND there is a new wedding ring in my future. I AM SO SO EXCITED. I know it's just a ring but the moment I saw it I fell in love. 

I have been working like crazy in my shop because next week I have a photo-shoot for my catalog (EEP!) and I will be doing a desert table next weekend for a business launch party. So much to do over the next couple weeks but it will be completely worth it in the end. 

First attempt at making "grass" with frosting.


Love.