Project Bathroom

Project Bathroom - Who doesn't love a good remodel?  We all do, just on the shows that neatly package it (or put a few mishaps in it for suspense....  But do you really want to live it and do it?  Sure, why not.  

Here is our kids bathroom.  Yes, I know - it screams 3 boys...

That long vanity is just a place for them to put stuff and than knock it over.  It takes up TONS of space and the toll they stand on is ALWAYS in front of the cabinet door I need to get into...

Rip it out and sell it - Done!

The tile was actually rather easy to remove (says the girl that watched my husband knock that out)  Yes, We thought of not removing the time - but the HUGE plywood underneath the now removed vanity required a discussion.  

We choose some tile...  Love this tile.  But there is ALWAYS a part in a remodel (when you are doing the work) that you see it all open and you just want to blink your eyes and put it back together as it was again.... this was my part.  I didn't think I could lay tile straight.  Until I did...

Not bad  - not perfect.  But not bad.  Anyone miss the Maroon walls?  Nope, me neither.  Chris volunteers to knock out both the plumbing and electrical - impressive!  Its the perfect sized project to figure this stuff out.

Light fixture anyone - YUCK!  Not our style AT all.

Tiling again, this time the backsplash - (one week later...)

As a builder in my past life, I was known for scheduling - meaning I was great at it....  So why the heck did I schedule myself to be tiling the back splash while Chris was replacing the sheetrock - Fail!

Production schedule stopped......  Read the next blog post...

Back to reality (yes, I would like for the boys to STOP using our bathroom and START using theirs)

Sheet rock sanding - of all the things we had to do, plumbing, grout, tile, paint.  This was the WORST.  Such a MESS.  VERY repetitive.  Paint in the ASS!  I have zero desire for such a level of perfection.  I now COMPLETELY understand wall paper and why it became popular.

There was a night I got to use BOTH a caulking gun and a nail gun - Chris was questioning his desire to let me try it...

I am TIRED of brushing my teeth next to sheet rock tools!

What, are those sinks?  Might they be hooked up?

Yes, why yes they are.

What, and the boys are using them, 2 and once.

So we both the vanities, sinks and cabinets at Ikea with our Christmas $$, they have been occupying space (not put together) for 7 months.  There is NEVER a good time to knock out this project (yes, I was getting PLENTY of feedback with regards to my scheduling)  HUGE thank you to my folks for helping with the kiddos here and there - the Leadbetters too (yes, we even had visitors while this was under construction!)  Its done (almost - details details) The Webers for their willingness to help and the tools we got to use!- and Linus our neighbor who has a much higher level of perfect than we do - he is hired for our next sheet rocking adventure.

As we expected - we wished we had done it earlier - If you have a remodel you want to do - DO IT!  you will love it.  Push through.  

Chris estimated we would have this done in 3 weeks.  I planned for 1 week - Chris wins....

Tile the next one...

And we have a SWIMMER

Wednesday and its nick's FIRST meet.  Ever.  His team suit arrived JUST in time.  (I actually got it in the mail and at first glance said - bummer it won't fit.  He snatched it from my hands and went to try it on - well, it fit - perfectly!

It was a total ZOO - Lots of kids, parents, no parking, a bit of chaos and guess who got slotted to swim in the first event which was the medley relay - Nick!  

He was due to swim the fly leg!

  I could barely process what was about to happen.  Nick headed to the starting block and I got Shane and Drew together.  

His coach walked by and I asked her - So nick is swimming the 25 fly - to which she responded - yup, and he is gonna ROCK it - Well if she has the confidence - than so should i!

My tentative little guy was about to start his first race - just like that.  I was suddenly flooded by all the emotions I got when I was swimming.  Will my goggles stay on, will I have enough energy....  all that uncertainty - when off he goes.  I literally teared up watching him confidently knock out his 25 fly.

As parents we can shelter them from these experiences and than, they never have these experiences.  If I let him go home from swim team that day - he would be just fine.  But that's it - he would be just fine.  But now he has one more tool in his bag of confidence.  he can swim and he can swim well.  He did it - even if he did it scared.  I am actually envious of his confidence at this moment and thrilled he has it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nc1O2R2cUIQ

Later that night after I had to run and teach body pump - we all got together and gobbled this ENTIRE plate of fries - Swimmers are hungry!

Even the spectators.

Later on, he just looks like a pro - 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sLt_TCFoCRc

More in the life of SUMMER

We are back - trip over - back to reality right?  Here is why I find myself staying up so late - especially in the summer - its the only tie I can actually accomplish anything from start to finish.  

Than I devised a chore plan.  Don't be jealous - this didn't last much longer than the photo op.  It was more effort for me than the results yielded.

So this summer - I will remember this and embrace the messy house - although it does feel clean - I will get that later - I guess

 A Little reward for the chores (incentive plan...) MatterHorn golf finally opened in Canton.

We had fun watching it get put together and it was great meeting the owner who got to map out all the swiss inspired holes.

If only this was a beer garden.  That was my only recommendation.

Saranac Lake - One more time!

Fourth of July Holiday and we were so excited to head to Saranac Lake to see our cousins and enjoy the beauty of where they have been living for the passed 6 years.  The kids are at such a great age to really enjoy each other.

Here we are having a picinic Lunch on their driveway.  That is a full picnic table!

We explored Saranac where they just put in a new Skate park - but who needs a skate board??  

Not these kiddos.

Liz planned out our events for the day and it was PERFECTLY orchestrated as we next visited a COVERED Carosel.  It was built in 1999 but Local artisans that hand carved the animals to indigenous to the area - IT POURED rain - right now.  I mentioned it was covered right??

Captain American on the Bald Eagle.  Perfect right?

Hey there Shane on the deer.

Seb on the Fox

Winslow choose the 

Drew spend a quick second on the Turtle before he reselected to the....

Bench - yup - what fun - Love this photogenic kiddo

They get most of their excitement for swapping high fives to the parents.

Look what happens when Drew had A LOT of activity during the day - sweetest face ever!

We left him in ultimate relaxation to go fishing...

It rained - ALOT

It was so cool watching the rain actually come in across the lake - (it gave us fair warning to find shelter)  

Boys on a lake can literally play for hours...

Boys with a dog and a ball - double that.

Talking it out...

Can you find Drew?

Photos like this take my breathe away - but its not like actually being there - that was better.

Can you see the next storm coming?

Another clearing

patience

last cast of the day

Time for a little fourth of July Fun.

We went into Lake Placid to watch the fireworks to music.  Drew insisted on sitting with Aunt Liz who really don't mind the additional cuddle time.

Here is our all American Crew.  Great fire works show!

Sunday morning Chris and Liz escaped for a little biking time together - Liz bought a bike a few months ago and is really starting to enjoy it - as exercise, personal time as well as connections with others.  This time, she was thankful to have the connection with Chris.

Tam and I got to enjoy a little more time at the lake - With 5 kids and lots of fishing poles - the first 30 minutes were hectic - for Tam...

After they got back, we packed up and started the trek home - but of course we had to stop for lunch.

And it was our 12 Year Anniversary - so we HAD to stop in lake placid for Chris's Request.

Think this meal will fill these 3 boys - you don't want to know how many of them they gobbled up.... it was YUMMY

Winslow was posing a bit.

The crazy crew all together.

Its our anniversary today - 12 years!  Beautiful place to spend it and with family too.

Thanks for a great weekend.

I tried to snap a few photos of the olympic village as we were leaving.

Winter Olympics were hosted here in 1980 and 1932 - now there is plenty of training that goes on in these facilities.

Love the unique housing throughout

Some great lake side views too.

I believe this is the hotel we did sled dog racing only 5 months ago.

Took this one for Nick

Love seeing the big flag!

A few more shots

All the countries

Chilling on the way

Yes, Chris wanted a fancy lunch for our Anniversary, but all I wanted was Taco Bel for dinner - WIN WIN!

Thanks Liz and Tam for hosting this crazy crew.  We truly enjoyed the time with you in your beautiful spot.  We are thankful for the time we had and look forward to YOUR next adventure.