all is calm, all is bright

Things were certainly bright this past Thanksgiving weekend but definitely not calm.

My sister-in-law, Carly, an amazing photographer agreed to take some family photos for our Christmas card this year.  She took these on her BROKEN camera and I am thrilled with how they turned out.  We just ran around and played with the dogs while she followed snapping as she went.

I am struggling to figure out which picture/s to use and what direction to go with our card this year so can I share some of my favorites?  Okay, thanks.

So when I ask if I can share some pics I may mean can I share almost all of the pics.  I may like them all.....

apologies.

This is my brother-in-law Tyler.  He played the part of chauffeur, creative director, and dog wrangler.

Having fun with Christmas lights - only it wasn't quite dark enough yet.  Still fun though!

Dog Wrangler

pretty Lola

a series of unfortunate events.....

winner!

watching Hudson runaway - almost had it

watching Hudson runaway again....and note the dog wrangler stands and watches

dark enough for the lights

the sweet promise of treats

can get a dog to do anything

Lola was just satisfied with eating lights

this is how they felt about being tied together in Christmas lights

oh so thankful

Colossians 3:15-17

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace.  And be thankful.  Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.  And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

so many reasons to give thanks to God.....

Hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving celebrating with family friends!

the cabinets are up

Things have been a little slow moving in the kitchen but the cabinets are up so at least it is starting to look like a kitchen.  Hopefully things will get moving after Thanksgiving - the holidays seem to be slowing down our orders and the contractor's schedule.  No complaining here though because I am just so thankful that I get a new kitchen.  And I really don't want to lose sight of how special this is.

So please let me share my new cabinets......

i never thought i would be able to get slow shut hinges - they come standard with Ikea cabinets and they are amazing....i honestly just stand in the kitchen opening and shutting the cabinets and drawers.

Thanks for stopping by!

granite city

This weekend we finally got to explore the stoneyard and start the process of picking out the granite.  I have been looking forward to this since Brandon told me he wanted granite over butcher block.  I love exploring all the different stones.  They are just beautiful.

Our granite playground.  They just gave us clipboards and pens and told us to have fun exploring.  Just us and the granite.

So the point of this first visit was to choose which type of granite we like.  Then they give us a quote for each one.  We choose the cheapest one and then get to go back and pick out the specific slab.

Here are the types of granites we are interested in.

Here are some fun examples of ones we did not choose.

That is real granite, with real fossils.

This granite is crazy.  I feel like I am looking through water at pebbles at the bottom of a slow moving stream.

Just interesting.

Also just interesting.

I kind of was intrigued by this marble for the kitchen.

Hmm...which one will it be?