Summer fun!

So, it's been a while again since I last blogged. We've been super busy having lots of fun and completing some projects!

Visit from Nonni

At the end of May/beginning of June, Andrew's mom came for a visit. We enjoyed having her here for a few days, and she was even kind enough to watch the kiddos so that Andrew and I could spend an entire day away! 

Black Forest Fire
On June 11, the Black Forest Fire started. It turned out to be the second summer in a row for our area to experience a devastating wildfire. The fire ultimately ended up taking 509 homes and 2 lives.

Smoke plume from our driveway about 10 miles away.

Smoke seen from town.

On the first day that they were finally able to gain some control over the fire, we were given a beautiful sunset.

Kitchen Remodel - Stage 1
Since we bought our home 6 years ago, I have wanted to paint the kitchen cabinets. In June, I decided that we should wait no longer!

Kitchen before.

Old hardware.

Taking off the doors!

First layer of primer going on.

Let's not forget the drawers....

....and doors!

Picking up the new hardware at Lowe's.

New hardware going on.

Voila! Kitchen now!

New hardware.

We just love how it turned out and wish we would have done it sooner. Now we just need new counter tops and we will be set....whenever that ends up happening!

Father's Day
We love Father's Day because we love Daddy! Here he is getting breakfast in bed.

Looking at Daddy's annual Father's Day gift....a scrapbook of the last year.

We had fun celebrating Daddy on his special day!

Pirate's Cove
One of our favorite summer activities is going to Pirate's Cove. We had a great day when we went a couple of weeks ago!

Taking a lunch break.

Our family!

Ready to get back out there.

Other Randomness
The kiddos looooooove having a sleepover with Daddy.

Movie and popcorn night with Momma when Daddy was gone for work.

Shopping cart fun!

Painting her own nails.

They love it when I let them get a "fountain drink" from Costco.

Sadie loves to color!

At the store.

Projects and the Pumpkin Patch

My parents were here for a visit during the month of October, and it should come as no surprise that while they were here we took on some home improvement projects. We installed new tile in the front entry, main bath, and laundry room. By "we" I mean mostly my Dad. 

Removing the old tile in the entry....

....and in the laundry room.

Somehow I didn't get any pictures on the actual process, nor did I get any good before pictures. Here are the best pictures that I did get. Entry before....

....and entry after!

Bathroom before....

....and bathroom after!

Laundry before (easily the most uncool flooring in the house)....

....and laundry after! We just love how everything turned out, and we are so thankful to Dad (and Mom) for helping us do so much to our house!

During their visit, we also had some fun at a local pumpkin patch! We have had some unusually and consistently mild weather so far, and it was a beautiful day to be outside.

Going down the slides!

Feeding the animals.

Hayride!

Checking out the pumpkins!

Pony riding.

Trying out the lasso.

The kids loved getting their faces painted!

Climbing on the hay pyramid.

Gourd launching. Hands down Parker's favorite.

Sitting on tractors.

With Grandma and Poppy.

Our family!

Saying good-bye to Grandma and Poppy! Come again soon!