It was a very merry christmas!

Julia eating candy and loving her new doll house.

And, she loves to dress up.

Computer guru, Jackson, got a DS and thinks "it's the best Christmas ever!".

My pretty girl with her new butterfly necklace.

Cool guitar!

Jackson wants to be an artist! What a smart santa!

Even Cody wasn't left out!

Here's the family!

My third kid!

Geez, Julia, please just smile once!

Thanks Jackson!

Merrry Christmas!!!!

Escape to Sweetwater Lake

I've been missing in action for many reasons. One reason is because we took our summer vacation to Indiana to see my husband's family. For the past 4 years, we've been meeting up at his aunt and uncle's lake cottage - it's adorable! She's an interior designer with great taste! Here's some snap shots from the trip.

Julia being cute....I noticed I've added more pictures of her in this blog than Jackson. I think 3 is an adorable age. They just act different!

PJs, paci, and princess shoes.... the perfect combo!

Julia with her cousin, Avery.

The kid crew! Missing one...the new baby, Ellison.

The beach at the lake

Seaweed... eeew!!

Julia is taking it all in.

A must of our vacation is to venture over to the Apple Works. It's an apple orchard with a petting zoo. The grounds are beautiful!

Plus, there's ice cream!

And, there's Ellison... sweetpea!

Always good to see family and escape from reality.

Another Deb chair redo

The before

The After

It's spectacular! I have it in my guest room. It's not a forgiving fabric choice but it's beautiful. Deb is very talented and patient - white duck isn't very easy to work with.

And, my kiddos, they can't stand not having their picture taken when the camera's out.

A Big Reveal....not of my own doing....

If you've been reading my blog, then you already know I have a partner in redecorating crime, Deb, that is self taught in reupholstery. Did you get that - self taught, like never took a class!!! She does amazing work!!! I really need to do more of her before and afters. We traded talents. I got a new chair for my neverending bedroom redo while she is getting a dresser painted for her girls room (more to come on that). Above is the before - awful peach velvet chair and below is just ......AMAZING!!! I have a hard time not jumping up and down literally!!! It's beautiful!!!

After - it really is the same chair people!

And, it's nestle across from my bed. I've got some ongoing ideas to finish the space which I'll save for another post because the chair is just "ENOUGH said"!

Big kudos and hugs to Deb - I love your talent and drive! You keep us moving forward in our adventure!

Julia's 3rd Birthday

Birthday princess

One of her princess friends

The prince, Jackson

Everyone had a great time

The Cinderella cake (by Amy Lerner in Richmond)

Make a wish

Julia adored her cake

Present frenzy

Flying Buzz Lightyear

Happy Birthday to my precious daughter!!

You make our lives full of happiness!

Looking for inspiration for little boy room

I'm consistently thinking about how to better rooms and get organized. One room I think about is my 5 yo son, Jackson's bedroom. He has this hutch/changing table that is suppose to convert to storage but it's huge. And, of course he can't reach the upper cabinets. I've been back and forth with built in drawers/shelves that flank the window in his room. And, a desk or a sitting bench to go under the window. Here's a few inspiring designs:

1. I think this one is my favorite. Looks so cozy! The drawers would serve as his dresser for clothes to eliminate the need for a space taking dresser.

2. I like this one too. Interesting to have open shelving under the sitting area. Could use it for easy to reach books or baskets for toys.

3. This one is more fancy and I'd simplify the lines. I'm more looking at the wood boarding above the window (I'm sure that has some name.) I think it makes the built in seem more of a unit but maybe a bit too much.

4. I like the book style shelves. I could do one side of the window in this style of shelving. But, will that carry to the teen years?

5. Obviously, this is way girlie. It's the only one I could find with a desk under the window instead of a sitting area.

What your favorite? Desk or sitting area? It'll be there FOREVER! I need it to carry though his needs now and future. Thoughts?

Planning a party....hooray!

I'm taking full advantage of my daughter's 3rd birthday on July 2nd! What an awesome time of year for a birthday...my son asks me often, "why does Julia get fireworks for her birthday?" Poor guy with the middle of harsh winter February birthday... although he was due on Valentine's day but he was just to coozy and stayed 6 extra days! But, onward to the party planning:)

Tomorrow I'm meeting up with some very special gals for dinner at Baker's Crust which just so happens to be at our super mall. So, I'm taking full advantage and going early for some much need party supplies. I plan on hitting Crate and Barrel for these:

Food tents, super cool save the environment plates, and party tub for adult beverages

Then, head to pottery barn for my drinking dispenser or 2

Looking forward to fun shopping and great dinner!