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Uncategorized

Tackling this weekend…

Could my so called “office” be any messier?  Yup – those are Christmas pictures still up.  Yup – that’s wrapping paper and random organizers all over the floor blocking the door way.  Yup – those are piles of kids’ school work and art work and pictures and scrapbook supplies and albums and projects (started and then forgotten) and office supplies and ribbon and a Victoria Secret bag (huh?) and dolls and puzzles and who knows what else all over my desk.

This space has been the most neglected area of my house and a total catch all for any and everything lately.  This weekend my goal is to dive in and pack up the scrapbook room!  Major purging is in order.  I want things cleaned out and packed in an organized way so that it’s easier to move it all into my new office space.  Kenny and the girls have fun plans on Saturday so my fingers are crossed that I can stay home and get it done!  

I’m sure my little monkey will be a huge help as always.  

:)
Enjoy your weekend!

xoxo, Erin
New House

Ready for paint!

A few exterior pics today!  
We have officially gone from a yellow house (with a fabulous blue porta potty in the yard – adds a nice touch, don’t you think?)…
to a white house!  Which is not the final destination!  But one step closer!  This is the primer color.      And it is BRIGHT!  I can’t approach the house without sunglasses.  And a hat.  And I still squint.  :)  The windows and doors and rock are all taped off and covered in plastic.  We are primed and ready for paint!  In fact, the white trim was all painted today.  Which is hard to tell because well.  Everything is white.  :)
 Back of the house.  

 Another yellow…

 to white.  

This is the shade of grey we are leaning towards right now.  My painter put it up around this window so that we could see what it will look like with the white we chose for the trim.  I really want the black roof to be a contrast so I’ve been leaning towards lighter colors.  Man.  Exterior paint has been so hard!  In the beginning I was trying to match the stone, but whenever I’d try out a warmer grey it would look too green or too brown.  Plus the colors look different during different parts of the day (in the shade/sun) and on different parts of the house.  Our painter is putting up this color one shade darker tomorrow and then I need to just make a final decision.  They will start painting as soon as I say GO.  I’ve been so indecisive about color!  Kenny told me today that it’s amazing I was ever able to make the decision to marry him.  I quickly answered that decision was a breeze because it wasn’t nearly as important as big decisions.  Like what color I should paint this house.  ;)  

The above pic I snapped with my IPhone so it’s a bit grainy, but it’s a good shot of the paint near the stone.  Both of the windows in this picture will have black shutters on them so I’m trying to envision the whole picture once landscaping and all of the finish details are done to decide if this is the right shade of grey or not.  That has been the tricky part with this whole building process.  Envisioning the end result!  I’m great at deciding if I like or don’t like something once it has already been done.  :)

The other thing I’m considering is all of the pavers we have in the front and back of the house.  They are a cool grey closer to the paint we’re leaning towards.  The pavers are grey (cool) and the stone is a bit more brown (warm) with grey mortar.  Fingers crossed it all comes together.

So!  That is my decision at this point in the game!  By this time tomorrow it will be made and done and my house will be well on its way to its final color!

Hopefully.  
:)  
xoxo, Erin
Ellie and Addison

Today

I was at the new house from 11:00 am – 8:00 pm.  I had meetings with the tile guys and the counter top guys and the balcony railing guys and the landscaping guys and the finish work guys and the exterior paint guys and my builder.  He’s a guy too.  That’s a lot of meetings with a lot of guys.  So many issues were worked out and so many details were discussed and so many notes were taken.  My head is spinning and I am truly worn out.

Where were my kids during these meetings?

In school and then home with their dad.

Aside from the two hours they were riding scooters through the house.  
:)
These are crazy days/evenings for our family.  All routines are tossed out the window.  Homework is rushed.  Dinner is rushed.  House is always a mess because mom isn’t around to clean it.  Kenny and I have so much on our minds right now and are beyond excited to wrap up this process.  We are very much looking forward to a little more normal around here.  A time when we don’t wake up in the middle of the night rambling about the door hardware bid or the shower back splash.  A time when we have conversations that don’t involve electrical outlets and concrete pavers and paint swatches.  A time when we aren’t so distracted and scattered with all we have going on.  It will be a good time indeed!
In the meantime, the kids seem to be enjoying our new “normal.”  
To them this is all one big PAR – TAY. 
So I am going to put on my party hat and press on!
Maybe it’s time I buy myself a scooter.  
:)  
xoxo, Erin
Kole

Happy Mother’s Day!

  
Looking forward to all of the handmade love coming my way.

:)

Hope yours is a great one!  

xoxo, Erin
New House

House update!

Oh my word.  Sorry for the slow week on the blog everyone!  Things are hopping at the new house and I have pretty much been living there lately.  In fact, tonight I’ve been considering just taking a sleeping bag on up and breaking my new bedroom in a little early.  The only thing holding me back is a vision of what my girls’ hair might look like for school if Kenny is left alone in charge of the morning routine.  Scary.  :)  Here are a few pics of some recent progress with the finish work.  
Getting ready to start the ceiling in the master bedroom.
Beams went up first!  

And then the tongue and groove!  Which I prefer to call planks.  :)  The whole ceiling will be painted white and the family room ceiling will be the same.  They started that ceiling yesterday.  Yea for progress! 
Entry paneling is finished.
And everything is getting a lovely primer coat of crazy bright white.  I’m still torn on what color to paint my front door and dutch door and I have to decide quick because the color determines the finish of my door hardware which we need to order soon.  Leaning towards black.  Or maybe a fun blue?  Probably black.  Maybe.  

This is the wall to the left of the formal living room.  That wall was closed in the beginning stages with our architect but I decided to open it up so that the hallway wouldn’t feel too long and dark.  Then I added a recessed niche and had the carpenters add some 7 in. wide planks.  A fun backdrop for a photo collage!  I have this whole room already decorated in my head.  :)

Recent pics with the primer.  

Planks for the ceiling over the kitchen nook.  Crown will go up soon to finish the look!  
Doors have all been installed and primed.  
And here is a picture of the kitchen from last week.  (Decided not to put planks in between these beams).  
Right now my kitchen is full of cabinets!  
And they are all over the floor!  
And they are going to be installed tomorrow!   
Not that I’m excited or anything.  
:)
xoxo, Erin
Ellie and Addison

Weekends like this one

I want to remember weekends like this one.
Rainy weather.
Slow mornings in pajamas.
Toys all over the place.
Kenny’s phone fairly silent (rare).
Kole marching around the house singing “hi ho hi ho.. it’s off to work we go…”  
(we’re a little obsessed with the seven dwarfs at the moment)
Sunday drive through pretty neighborhoods with tree lined streets.
Naps for the boys.
All caught up on laundry (also rare).
Waffles for breakfast.  And dinner.
Lots of cuddling on the couch.
Stories at bedtime.  
I want to remember how happy we are right now.
Especially during weekends like this one.

xoxo, Erin
Addison

Favorites and Fashion

A few random pics today.  I’m in a random sort of mood.  :)

K.  These are too cool.  First of all, if you have a baby are you tossing GoGo Squeez snacks in your purse?  These are all the rage around here and while I didn’t use them with any of my three (what rock was I living under?) I know I would have loved them.  Healthy snacks for baby on the go!  The only complaint is the not so baby friendly pouch cap.  Pouch pops to the rescue!  They simply attach to the top of the pouch cap.  Wa-la!  Now your baby can feed him/herself.  In the car!  On the go!  Perfect for that transition period from bottle to solid food.  I had to share them for all infant mom’s because my friends have raved about the pouch pops (babies love them) and I know I would have loved them too.  Almost makes me want to have another baby to try them out.  Almost.  :)

Another favorite.  Tried and true and I’ve shared this one before.  I just bought a new MAC eye lash curler (my original one has gone missing – no doubt Kole has it stashed in a couch cushion somewhere…).  One of my all time favorite beauty products!  Makes my eye lashes so long.  
This amazing necklace is from Banana Republic.  One of the things Kenny gave me for my birthday.  He picked it out himself.  Well.  With help from me that is.  :)  Isn’t it beautiful!?  

I love it so much and I haven’t even worn it yet!  Same with this other BP necklace my mom gave me a while ago.  I need to figure out what to wear with them and just haven’t yet.  So for now I just keep admiring them in this box on my dresser.  

Two different friends gave me this scarf and earrings (also b-day gifts) but don’t they go well together?  
I have loved wearing this combo.  

And a fun yellow skirt for Spring I bought at Down East in Utah months ago.  
I love the thick band at the top.  

I just paired it with a white tank and my navy sweater and some wedges.  Yellow and Navy is such a fun combo, don’t you think?

And one of my all time favorite accessories.  
Hanging with Miss Addie after a recent and remarkable 1st grade performance.  

Enjoy your weekend everyone!
xoxo, Erin
New House

We have stairs!

Real stairs!  That we can walk up and down!  And a railing to hold!  It’s wonderful.  I feel like Tom Hanks on The Money Pit.  “We have stairs!”  Classic.  

 Top trim wasn’t quite finished when I took most of these pictures.

Now the top trim is finished.  
Several of you have asked me when the house will be done and we can move in.

“Two weeks!”  
Kidding.  Still in Money Pit mode.  :)
We are supposed to finish in July (one year from our start date) but since I know that there is no such thing as a house that is built on budget and on time I’m crossing my fingers for August. 
 Crossing my fingers… but not holding my breath.

xoxo, Erin
Organization

Organizing solutions (my way your way)

Hello hello friends!  I’ve rounded up some serious organizing eye candy for you today.  Woot woot!  (You know I mean business when I break out with a “woot woot!”)  I have been so inspired lately with fun organizing solutions that are similar to methods I already have in place so of course I had to share them all with you!  Enjoy!
You’ve all seen my craft space several times.  It has been so nice to have a set cupboard for the kids to keep all of their art supplies.  But if a cupboard is nice…
how fabulous would a whole armoire be?  I love that most used toys can be stored low for little hands, art work is displayed on the doors, and at the end of the day everything can be closed up and hidden.  Genius!

I also love the idea of keeping an “art tray” nearby stocked full of pencils, scissors, markers, etc. so that supplies are always within reach.

I’ve shared how I store my jewelry.  Necklaces hang on hooks on the wall and everything else is crammed into a small jewelry box (so excited to revamp this system after we move!).
Here are a few other fun ideas…
Use simple mini hooks to hold necklaces.

Or try multiple jewelry stands!  I love that everything is out on display here.  I think I’d wear my jewelry more if I could see it all!

I’ve always kept my nail polish in this simple divider.
But what a fun idea to use an old spice rack?  Or a new one.  :)
I love seeing creative organizing solutions.
A simple book from Hallmark has helped me keep track of birthdays and organize my cards.
But how cool is Jen’s solution for organizing cards?  Categorizing just makes me smile!  This way you can stock up on cards and always have one ready to go if you are short on time.
It’s like having your own mini Hallmark right at your fingertips!  :)
In the past I have used a simple trash can to corral wrapping paper.  This was especially handy for me during the holidays when I set up my Christmas wrap station.
But how simple and fabulous is this solution?
Cup hooks holding dowels make smart wrapping paper storage!
Labeled Ziploc bags for kids’ clothes each day of the week has been a lifesaver for helping us plan and lay out weekly outfits.  Mornings have run much smoother since we implemented this little system!
But if I had the room…
I LOVE this solution too!  Hooks on the closet door with a simple paper label for each day of the week.  You could also add the hooks on a blank wall in your child’s room.  So smart!
In my linen closet I store cleaning supplies in labeled bins.
But I think next time I organize cleaning supplies these lined wire baskets with labels are calling my name.  So stylish!  About as stylish as toilet paper and cleaning supplies can look if you ask me.  :)
And you’ve all seen our makeshift mudroom on a wall in our garage.  It has worked well for us, but I love the following solution even more…
All you need for this is a shelf with some hooks and a hallway!  A perfect place for kids to drop off shoes and backpacks.  And a happy place for the family calendar to live as well!
YEA!  So many fun organizing solutions.
Hope this post made you as happy as it made me.
:)
xoxo, Erin
home decor 2

Spring Mantel

Sharing a few pics of my mantel at this very moment.  And I know it’s pretty similar to past Spring mantels I’ve already shared.  But while I was decorating it I realized that it was the last time I’d decorate this mantel in this house so I’m sharing pictures anyway.  :)

The only new addition to the mantel is the plate.  It has been with me a while.  It was $2.99 at Home Goods and for that price and with those colors it just sort of hopped in my cart.

 A simple Spring mantel.  That I thought was done and done.

 

 Until Ad brought home this ever so interesting clay fish she made in school.

 

And with that pose and with those colors, he just sort of hopped on up.
Free for all mantel.  Wonder what will find its way up there next?
:)
xoxo, Erin
Uncategorized

iphone dump

 A favorite hang out.

 Life with sisters.  
 Ever so patiently waiting his turn.  

 So happy I caught this moment at the park.  
Girls being especially quite upstairs always = fun surprises for mom.  
 Turtles taking a soak.  
Open House in Ad’s class.  Made me miss teaching 1st grade!
And 4th.  And 5th.  
Swim lessons with El.  
Working hard to get ready for a swim test she has to pass next month before she can take her favorite lifeguard summer camp at the beach.  El is such a good swimmer – WAY better than her mom 
although that’s not saying much.  Nose plugs anyone?  :)
Lessons are on her early out day at school so Kenny comes home for lunch to stay with (napping) Kole and Ad while I take her.

What do I do during El’s swim lesson?  Nothing!  Highlight of my week!  
Although it’s officially time to lose the jeans and boots and let my white legs see some sun!  

Girls were in charge of Kole’s birthday cupcakes for our little family party.  
Mmmmmmm.  
Sprinkles anyone?  
 The birthday boy didn’t mind much.  
He enjoyed them so much in fact that we had to sing and let him blow out the candle oh.. 
about 18 times.  

The men in my life.  Kole is holding his remote control.  He uses it to make the “diggers” move.

:)
xoxo, Erin
Uncategorized

Master Bedroom (just a peek)

K – this really has nothing to do with my post, but I have to say that lately I have been having such a hard time staying on top of things around the house.  And by “lately” I mean the past few years.  :)  Ever since child number three came along it feels like housework is such an uphill battle.  Kenny came home tonight and I said “Ahhh!  I can’t wait to move!  The new house is going to be so… clean!”  Kenny was like “um… I don’t know why you think it’s going to be any easier to keep clean than this house…”  But he doesn’t get it.  He doesn’t know that the new house is going to be different.  It’s going to be this magical place.  A magical place where dishes wash themselves, laundry will cease to exist, and floors will stay perfectly vacuumed and polished.  Everything will have a place where it happily resides and clutter and chaos will be no more.  While I’m at – daydreaming away – it will also be a place where delicious, well-balanced home cooked meals appear each evening right around dinner time…  
I have a dream!  Similar to yours?  :)  
Moving on now.  
Sharing a few progress pics of the master bedroom today.
 These were taken a couple of months ago just after drywall. 

The door to this room is down the hall a bit.  Right before the french doors that open to the back porch.

Here is that same space now.  Primed and almost ready to paint!  

This is the wall our bed will face.  
That same wall today.  
 And a sketch of what that wall will look like when it’s finished.  

 A bird’s eye view of the room.  
I’m excited about this space!  
Even though deep down I’m well aware that the bed won’t make itself.  
:)
xoxo, Erin

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