Happy New Year!!

I can't believe another year is gone.........and that I say that every year!  Part of my new year's resolution is to be a little better about updating this blog.  (Thank you to all who still care!) 

The first thing to catch up on is the progress of our "Nell Hills inspired" kitchen eating area.  It's hard to see, but on the other side of the table is a built-in bench seat with cubbies below.  The added cabinets are great storage for extra dishes.  It was a very happy day to finally unpack the rest of our dishes.  I spent the day thinking of sweet, Audrey Foley who packed ALL of those dishes almost 2 years ago!   

This "before" picture was taken right after Christmas 2011.  When we bought the house there were cabinets above the penninsula.  We took the cabinets down almost immediatly then El took out the soffit right before they went home after Christmas.  What a difference a year makes!

The second order of business is to show off the new dining room!  In October we offered to host Cassidy's marching band party - they said that they really wanted to go bowling.  So, that weekend, Jim and I tore apart our dining room.  A couple days later I got a call to see if we still wanted to have the party here!?!  I'm sure that nobody would've minded a little construction, but I was determined to have the room done before the party - and I just barely made it!


before

This year it was much more fun to decorate for Christmas.  Mom and El came down to help, go on a home tour, go to a concert, and play.  We packed as much fun into the 3 days they were here as we could.



Not that we like to procrastinate or anything, but Jim was finally home on Dec 21 and we decided we should go Christmas shopping.  While we were gone, the kids (mostly Karryn) worked on this gorgeous gingerbread house!  I think they did a GREAT job.

Bennan made the trees.

I looked out of my kitchen window this morning and saw our biggest accomplishment of the year - the building of the barn (which Tom actually built).



This picture was actually taken from the kitchen window - this is really our view!

The horses are fat and happy.  Mrs Captain Davy Jones (the hen) has just laid her 14th egg in as many days.  Snuffles (the rooster) has learned to crow - and does whenever we turn the barn light on.  Tiger (the kitten) is a big Tom cat now and Bella thinks she's a house cat (she is wrong).  Maggie is on new vitamins and seems to be getting around a little better.  Pirate Freckle-pants (the bunny) just eats and poops!

Life on our little farm is really good.  As we're putting together our list of projects for the new year, we're feeling very blessed to be on this adventure. 



So, from our crazy family to yours, have a very happy, blessed, god-filled, fun and slow (for a change) New Year!