Floor Remodeling

Here are the new floors... Ta Da! Thank you Thank you Thank you, Laura, for all you did to help us out! The old yucky carpet is finally gone... after 2 1/2 years of waiting :) We found a big mess underneath, all kinds of old glue from linoleum. Drew had to acid-wash the floors first which led to the 'mask', a short evacuation, and a cute little basket full of puppies outside while we waited for the acid to air out. The two-day project turned into 6 because we added 3 layers of color and texture. Plus, the hallway could only be painted just before bedtime. After the kiddos were snuggled in bed, we shut all of the hallway doors to paint the next layer and ended at our bedroom so we could put away the bucket, rollers, and brushes in the shower overnight. The kitty-kat did not like being locked up with us every night, but it's all over now :) We finally finished repainting the baseboards last night. It's soooo nice to finally have it all completed!

Puppies!!!

Yay... Six little brand new Chocolate puppies came last night! Caleb and Caraline watched the last two being born, but they were kind of grossed out about that. Josie is such an attentive little mommy :) They're so cute, but very whiney. I don't think Jagger-kitty likes them being inside very much, but he'll get over it. It's so interesting how the kids have seen the 'circle of life' this week (with our two-year old Beta, "Oscar" fish dying this weekend). Caraline is in love with these puppies already, but we told her she cannot touch them yet. God's miracle of life is so awesome!

Tooth Fairy... Yay!

Well, Caraline has lost her first tooth this week! She's nearly five, so I guess she's right on track... I can hardly remember that far back with Caleb. I think he was 5, but that was four years ago! I cannot believe how time flies. She did not cry, and she was so excited for the Tooth Fairy to come leave her money because she's friends with Santa! She received two dollars the next morning and now she thinks she is hot stuff. She loves her new trick... sticking her tongue through the little gap! :)

Christmas Card photoshoot

Besides the great pictures from Thanksmas, here are the Christmas card pictures Jalee took for us at a Tyler park. We took their pictures too... they're so cute, aren't they? Poor Chris had to man-handle the labs for us, and he was such a good sport about it. Jackson is just so strong and hard to control sometimes. Josie, on the other hand, is still a pup so she was easily distracted! We just love these pictures... hope you do too. :)

A "Cupcake Adventure!"... Thanks, Santa!

So, Caraline really really really wanted one of the newest 'hot items' of the season... "Girl Gourmet's" Cupcake Maker. Silly Santa delivered, and we've been making messes ever since! I just had to share these cute little pictures for my blog readers! :) She begged and begged all Christmas Day to make some cupcakes, so we finally got it out after her nap. First batch was way runny and got all over the microwave. Second batch had icing pouring all over the table and floor... what a mess! We finally got it right on the third try but it was a littel drippy, as you can see. After Christmas, our second attempt ran much smoother. Believe it or not, she loved those things. They tasted a little bit like styrofoam to me... Yuk!

Christmas at Lala's

We celebrated our 6th and final Christmas with Lala, Joe, Lynn, Matt, and the Hunters on New Year's Eve. Although it was a little late, the day was still filled with lots of Christmas Spirit! Stockings were in the morning and a 'slew' of gifts went on and on and on for the early afternoon. We loved watching everyone open their gifts. Laura and Lynn loved the photobooks we made. I'm finally able to say 'photobooks' because I didn't want them to know that we made 8 of those for our families! It was very exciting to see all of our familie's faces when they opened their special books. :) We all had one more turkey with dressing and casseroles and yummy deserts... now back to the gym!