Farewell 2013, Hello 2014

I can't believe we started 2013 with Ella as a tiny baby at just 3 months old and now we are entering 2014 with Ella as a little girl at 15 months.

She went from baby to girl.

From snow sitter to snow walker.

From bottle to latte.

From puree to watermelon slices. 

(Despite the fact that at 15 months we still don't have any teeth.  Not even one.)

From tub lounger to tub trouble maker.

And from puppy to full grown (kind of).

We also had fun celebrating several holidays.

And a wedding and a 1st birthday.

And some fun vacations to the beach, mountains and a quick trip to Seattle.

Sadly, we had to say goodbye to our sweet Hudson.

Worst part of 2013.

But we also made this announcement.

 I think 2014 is going to be a pretty amazing and busy year!

Christmas Vacation Recap

As 2013 comes to a close and we get ready to roll into 2014 we also have to say goodbye to the wonderful time we've had celebrating the holidays and relaxing at home together this Christmas break.  Brandon and I always take extra time off work this time of year so we can make memories as a family.  Plus Brandon is about to head into his busy season and we pretty much won't see him until May - so we try and squeeze a lot in.  I have to admit that I have been terrible at taking photos lately.  I am just enjoying my time with Ella so much that I don't want to get behind the camera too much and miss it.  Here is a glimpse at what I was able to capture these past two weeks.

Helping decorate.

New favorite activity: sledding.

Least favorite activity: Santa.

Another favorite: playing with our new nativity.  Thanks Grandmas.

Christmas Eve Eve family movie with teddy bear and a little hide n' seek.

 Christmas!

Always wanting to play outside and learning how to walk in the snow and new boots.

We had so much fun celebrating Christmas with both our families and friends.  Ella doesn't understand the concept of Christmas but she sure does love any time she gets to spend with her grandparents, aunts and uncles and the gifts weren't too bad either.  She also loved listening (and singing and dancing) to Christmas carols.  I cannot wait to watch her continue to grow and discover the wonder of Christmas.  I am already thinking about how to make Christmas special and magical in both the Santa, commercial aspect but more importantly how to not let that overshadow the celebration of Jesus's birth and the significance of His birth in our lives.  I know there are so many differing views in the Christian world on how to celebrate Christmas and we are comfortable allowing our children to believe in Santa and everything that comes along with that but I also want to be extremely intentional about implementing traditions and activities that also allow our children to celebrate Jesus's birth in ways that are just as special and magical - because it truly is a miraculous, magical event.  So as I take the next year to pray and think on this I'd love to hear how you celebrate.  What traditions and activities are part of your Christmas?

Basement Remodel

I absolutely love our cute, little house but it is no secret that we are quickly outgrowing it.  Since we are not ready to say goodbye to this house we thought it was a good time to expand into the basement and FINALLY finish it.  

Here is a peek at what it looked like pre-remodel.

It is a great space.  A giant square with center stairs.  We have decided to finish half of the basement as a family room and play room and leave the other half as much needed storage.  I would have loved to finish the laundry area too but there are low ceilings and venting and piping hanging down in that area making it really impossible.  We are however adding a full bath behind the stairs.  Due to budget we are putting that project on pause and we are going to focus on the living space.

Here is how it looks after phase 1: framing.

As you come down the stairs to your right will be a wall with a door leading to the unfinished half of the basement (aka the storage room).  The left side will be open with a railing overlooking the family room.

This is the view from the bottom of the stairs looking left into the family room.  The wall on the right will hold an entertainment center with a couch.

To the right of the stairs will be a closet and behind the closet and the stairs the bathroom.  The open space to the right will be a craft/play area.  I am hoping to put cabinetry along the back wall with a counter and open shelving above.  I hope to leave a space open along these cabinets so I can place a stool and create a little work/sewing nook.  My fear is my craft space will get outrun by the need for more toy storage. Only time will tell.

Here is another view of the back wall where I hope to place the cabinetry.  To the left you can see the wall and door for the eventual bathroom.

And here is a view of the front wall with the stairs to the right.

And a final view of the staircase with a scary sight of the mountain of storage behind it.  

I am SO excited to have more family space.  With our second on the way it will be very nice to have more space to stretch out and play.  I am not sure the timeline on this project but I do hope to have it finished sometime in February.  That is just my wild guess.  And I don't anticipate it to be perfectly furnished and styled by then because we are really trying to do this on a budget.  But it will be an open, clean and carpeted space perfect for a busy, curious toddler and her blissfully weary parents.

Phase 2 starts tomorrow: insulation and drywall!

Christmas continues for me.