Home Improvements and NE Trip

Our home improvements are finally...almost...DONE! It turns out our original builder installed our entry way tile wrong...so, we have to have that re-tiled since it got cracked and broke while they were trying to put in the final touches on the laminate. We didn't really want to have to do this...but, we didn't really like the color of that tile next to the laminate...so I guess it's all good in the end. Except now we have to find the perfect tile and find the time for the guy to come back and rip out the old and put in the new. So, we're not quite all the way complete, but close enough =). Here are some pictures:


Living Room/Dining Room Area


Living Room/Dining Room--it's hard to see, but Justin has a very big grin on his face


Mozart and Sierra are really enjoying the new floors =)


The office...before I'd had time to clean it up =)




The tile backsplash...it might just be my favorite home improvement...LOVE IT!



After the projects were complete, I flew up to NE to spend a few days with my family, see some old friends (YAY!), see my great aunt in the hospital and see my grandma. Then, I headed down to OKC with my parents and sister where we met up with Justin and Kat to celebrate dad's birthday. It was a great trip. I had a wonderful time seeing old friends Rachael & Amy from my high school days and my good friend Reynalda whom I used to work with during the summers in college. Rachael and Amy have some of the cutest kids on the planet and it was so fun to get to see them and catch up in person!!! Unfortunately, I forgot to take pictures with Amy =(. The most interesting part of the trip was that my parent's basement flooded. So, it was actually good I was there, so I could lend my young strapping hands to the flood effort =). We were able to get all the important furniture up on blocks and get the pad removed and most of the water out. It was kind of insane, but I was glad to be there to help out. I also got the pleasure (yes, pleasure, I'm not being sarcastic) of mowing their lawn twice! I used to hate mowing the lawn growing up, now I think it's GREAT! They have REAL grass and it's a HUGE lawn so it's a great workout. It's especially awesome nowadays with my iPod to rock out to. The only bad part: nasty mosquitoes who bit me despite my bug repellent. And, of course, I'm allergic to the bites so I had awesome red welts all over. Very cool. =). All in all, it was a fun trip and it was great to spend time with my family! Here are a few pictures:



Rachael and Me--so glad I got to see her and her beautiful children!!



Me and Mom hanging out in OKC



Me and Kat watching Justin open his birthday gifts...can you tell I was cold in the hotel room??

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY 4th OF JULY MOMMA!!!!

Just wanted to give a big "Happy Birthday" to my most special mom, our "firecracker" baby =). The 4th of July has always been special in our family, since it's my mom's birthday. Though I don't usually get to spend the day with her anymore, enjoying homemade ice cream, something yummy on the grill, and the ever fun NE fireworks you can set off at your house, I'll definitely be thinking of her and hoping she has a fabulous day like she deserves!

LOVE YOU MOM!!!!!