Jackets

Last night, I got to go to a bridal shower for Erika! We have been friends since junior high when she invited me to a Skyline football game with all these girls, and the rest is history! Now, 11 years later, we don't see each other as often as we should, but things always go back to the way they were when we were all 15!

In high school, our group grew to include other girls, and many boys, but we always were the "JACKETS"
J- JENN
A- AMY
C- 'COCARINA' (Amie's nickname)
K- KASI
E- ERIKA
T- TORI
S- SARAH

We still have to stand in "Jackets" order when we take pictures... Ohhhh good times. Every single memory I have from the age of 14-19 involves these girls. It's hard to believe that we are all grown up.

Now, some of us are married, some have babies, some are graduated from college, or pursuing more education, some have traveled the world and some have moved away, but we'll always be these girls...

Garage Door

On Friday, Tim's friend came up to Richmond to install our garage door! The garage door is a little bigger than the standard size, so it was another upgrade, but again, it was worth it! Not only does it look great, but it is belt-operated and super quiet, and insulated so the garage stays cool in the summer and warm in the winter. You've got to appreciate the little things when you pay so much money for something... :)

Now it looks finished! There is nothing left to do outside except for landscaping, which we will do next spring!

Finishing Touches and Fixtures

Last Saturday, Matt, Tim and I moved all the boxes and small stuff into our basement. It took a couple loads, but now all we have left to move is the big furniture and stuff we've had at Randy and Jenny's house.

We also have been working to finish some of the small stuff left before our final inspection. Things like...

the railing... (we still have to stain it though)

the stairs in the garage...

the stairs out the back door...

grates over the window wells in the back...

AND... the plumber came to finish the plumbing! Yay! All our fixtures are on, toilets installed, and water all connected!

Soooooooo close!

Storage Room and Shutters

With all the time spent waiting on counter tops, we were able (and by 'we' I mean Matt) to build shelves in the storage room so I don't have to stack my crap on the floor anymore!

We also had time to build the shutters! Matt did all the building, and I was in charge of painting.

They turned out good, right?

Carpet and Concrete

After the counter tops were installed on Monday, our friend Dan Miller was able to come start installing our carpet! My experience picking out carpet was very anti-climactic. I walked into the carpet store, and I happened to be babysitting Reagan and Blakelee that day, and looked at four or five samples while I watched Reagan out of the corner of my eye before choosing the one that the saleswoman recommended. I gave the carpet sample to Dan and he did the rest!

I never got any pictures of the carpet after it was finished, so you'll have to settle for pictures of the pad and later I'll put up pictures of the carpet with furniture on it.

Do not underestimate the cost of concrete! It is pretty crazy how much money you spend on concrete because you need so much of it!

We got the porch steps poured...

and the walkway...

and the driveway...

and the back pad!

We also had a small pad poured outside our man door in the garage. One step closer to being finished!

Appliances and Countertops

On Saturday (two weeks ago) we were able to finally pull our newly purchased appliances out of Haws' garage and install them in our own home! I decided to buy used kitchen appliances so I could get a new washer and dryer, but I am so happy! The black looks great with the cabinets and counter tops. I love having a gas stove and a dishwasher!

The counter tops were installed on Monday, June 23, after almost five weeks of waiting! I am so happy with the final result! They tie everything together, from the cabinets to the paint and trim! I couldn't be happier with our decision to go over budget on the granite. It was so worth it!

Desk

Master bath with under mount sinks

Guest bath

Sharing

A few weeks ago, Jenny, Kamie and I were able to escape the kids and boys for a few hours and go out to dinner. Of course, the best part of dinner is dessert, so we stopped at Kneaders on our way home and grabbed some yummy dessert! I bought Matt an eclaire, and within minutes of him opening it up, he had both babies in his lap! Good thing he is so good at sharing! He could barely get a bite in himself without sharing one with each of the babies!

Evidence of the sharing!

One of the many reasons that I love Matt so much. And why I love these kids so much too!