Where I've been...

I thought I'd do one massive post, to catch up my friends with where I've been and what I've been doing over the past few months.

The beginning of June we began a major project here at our house-- a laundry room addition. Martin's folks came for a 10 day visit to help us with the addition, and we had a very full 10 days, to say the least. I've lost count of the number of trips we've made to Home Depot and Lowe's, but I'm quite sure it nears 50-- at least! :) It was such a blessing to have Papa and Mom-mom here helping us, and I'm grateful for such wonderful in-laws.

Here are a few photos of the addition as it went up. We are nearly finished, just still have to install the flooring (which will most likely happen in the next two weeks), and add two steps out the back door (which will hopefully happen before baby #2 arrives, or maybe even before I get much more wobbly on my feet!).










And... here's the nearly finished project!!!

I am standing in the kitchen, looking through our old "backdoor" (which is now a pocket door), into the new laundry room. The door you can see is our new backdoor.

Having stepped just inside the pocket door, this view is to the left.

And this view is to the right.

Here are the two views you would see if you had just walked in the backdoor.



While I'm on the house subject, the end of September we have new kitchen cabinets arriving, and Martin's brother will come to help install cabinets and retile the kitchen. I cannot wait to be finished and to get to enjoy my new work areas! I don't think I'll know what to do with all the new space I'll have, come the end of September! I'll update with a few before and after pictures of the kitchen once that project is underway.


Of course our summer wouldn't have been complete without a visit with Uncle Nathan. He visited over the 4th of July, and gave us lots of quality time. He is such a special part of our lives, and is so greatly missed. The next time we see him, we'll get to introduce him to his new niece! I have no doubt she will love him as much as his first niece does.




The second and third weeks of July were spent in Oregon, celebrating Martin's youngest sister's wedding. Katelyn was one of eight flower girls, and was more than excited to be a part of the wedding. She and her cousins did a fabulous job pedal-dropping and smiling for most of the pictures. I was honored to be one of Marlee's attendants, and Martin had the important job of being the second photographer. He, of course, did not let us down. :)




It was an absolutely beautiful wedding, and we were honored to be so involved in welcoming another brother-in-law to the family.


Following the wedding we took our annual vacation with Max and Jen (Martin's brother and his wife). This year we traveled to the Oregon coast. It is truly a beautiful part of our country, and we had a relaxing four days taking in the scenery and enjoying the beaches/tide pools. I don't know what we'd do without such enjoyable travel companions!





That just about brings you up to date with my busy life. The only things I left out are the ups and downs of pregnancy (and I know you're disappointed about that!), and the hours of cleaning out/organizing and buying/returning items for the new addition. As you know, it'll probably be awhile before you hear from me again, but I do promise to post photos of the kitchen when it's done. That way, you can cheer along with me!