SPINDLES!! Hallway Before and After

Remember the check list? When we went to move, we created a check list. Much of what was on that list was not in this house. I know, why did we even have a list?

Anyway, wrought iron spindles was one of the things on that list.

And, after a year and a half, we now have them.

The result: Fabulous.

Just what we wanted...and more.

Finally, something else we can check off that check list.

BEFORE

AFTER

AFTER

The Kitchen: Before and After

Before

Before

Better late than never.

Last weekend we painted our kitchen.

Finally.

I say finally because our walls have looked like a rainbow for at least 6 weeks. We just could not find a color we liked! Don't get me wrong, the rainbow looked fabulous (ha).

But, we like the new walls better.

Another room painted...and I won't even mention how many more to go.

Our Kitchen Rainbow

I trim, Chris rolls. We make a great team!

Oh...and I draw art on the walls like I am 2. That's fun!

And...THE AFTER

The Paint color is called Burnt Caramel from Lowes

Our Yard - Before & After

Our Home, Easter 2010

In one week, we painted the kids' bathroom (now we have painted 3 out of the 4 bathrooms) and planted 11 trees! "Just that easy, just that quick!" Ha!

Friday my Dad came down to help me select and pick up our trees, along with Addison & Asher. We knew what we wanted to buy, it was just a matter of selecting the right trees. My parents are good at that. I felt cruel taking Addi and Asher because I remember going with my parents when I was maybe 5 years old to select their windbreak trees. I hated it! Well, Addi & Asher hated it too, I think. After several stops, by the end of the day, we had the trees purchased and at home.

Chris planted one tree last night and we planted the remaining 9 trees today. That was seriously exhausting, but it was so worth it! We planted 8 trees in the front and 2 in the back. We plan on planting more in the back after the fence is installed, if that ever happens (the 4 weeks is now into week 6). We just want to make sure we know where the fence will be and then finish our landscaping job. Okay, here are the trees we planted with links to pictures of the trees bigger and/or in bloom:
1. 1 Japanese Tree lilac
2. 5 Chanticleer pears
3. 1 Autumn Blaze Maple
4. 1 Dwarf Korean Lilac
5. 1 Red Dragon Japanese Maple
6.1 Butterfly Japanese Maple
7. 1 Newport Plum
Now...here are the after pictures! Stay tuned...more planting around the house to come!

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The After: Dropzone/Closet

Finally, we have a place to hang our hat (and coats and backpacks and...). We love it! This is better than a diamond to a girl like myself who believes everything needs a place in order to keep organized.

Here are the before pictures:

And now for the after pictures of the drop zone and closet:

Want a drop zone or lockers and closet for yourself? We hired RSI (Ryan Services INC) at 933-3022. He did an amazing job on our space and on Chris' parents' master bathroom. We would highly recommend him!

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Before & After: The Outdoor Entryway

Another before and after - this time the outdoor entry. We will enjoy this space, but, as Addison pointed out, we need one more chair. I think we will make do for the moment. Here are the before and after pictures. Keep in mind, the landscaping needs tons of work. That will come...eventually.

Before:

After:

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The girls' rooms: Before & Almost After

Yesterday morning, my parents picked up the kids for an overnight stay on the farm! Fun, right? Well, kind of. Chris and I set to work painting Alivia and Addison's rooms! We painted 2 coats on each room for a total of 8 painting hours. We planned on going out to eat, but covered in paint we decided against it. Instead we took a peaceful bike ride around the lake and picked up a pizza at Old Chicago in Shadow Lake. We finished the night getting the girls' rooms all done for the reveal today. We are almost done. Alivia's room is awaiting some artwork for her walls and a new lamp that we hope to get maybe today. Addison's room just needs a new lamp. Also, Chris hopes to do some stencil work on their walls. The girls want butterflies!

Here are their rooms before (in January)...

And the after...

Chris says their is so much girl on their side of our home that our home may tip. :) It is a lot of girl! Alivia did not get anything new other than the artwork and lamp to come. Addison will get a new lamp as well. Her bedding is new from JC Penney. All of her bedding: quilt, sham, flower pillow, sheets and bedskirt, cost the same it it would have to just purchase a quilt alone from Pottery Barn Kids! Now that is crazy! It is of really nice quality too. Most importantly, Addison loves it!

Here are pictures from our bike ride last night (and run this morning!).

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