Proudly Presenting

the "almost completed" Cheap family kitchen. I say "almost" because obviously there are not any knobs on the cabinets and nothing hanging on the walls. I have to decide what drawer pulls I want and then I need to redecorate. I also hope to have new laminent flooring and possibly new counter tops by this time next year, but for now I am happy with this new look. As Chad said, "This really makes the rest of our house look bad." We really do need to work on other rooms, but I have had enough home improvement for awhile. As I am sure my mother has also. She spent three more days last week working when everyone else had left and I had gone back to work. Thanks again mom, I love you.


This is a picture from the entryway looking into the kitchen.

The entry way with the table we painted black because we had so much black paint left over from the cabinets. Obviously, I have to redecoreate this room also. I do not know what I am going to do with all of the things I had in these rooms from before. Garage sales are way to much work!!
This last pic is to show an up close picture of what my sis's and I called "the eye sore". Our trim was so beat up it looked horrible. Repainting the rest of it is going to stink, but it makes a huge difference.

The work begins

and seems to never end!! The kitchen is basically finished know except for the cabinets do not have any knobs on them yet, and the cabinets need a clear coat. (and I think that I will be painting trim forever). I know that many of you have been wanting to see pics of the finished kitchen. Well, here is the before shot and some during shots. You will have to "stay tuned" to see the finished product (I promise to post them tomorrow!!).

My mother looks just thrilled to be mudding the walls of my entryway!! I am so glad that she is able to do that because without her I could not have completed this project.
Here are the girls at work. Katie says she does not like this pic because is does not actually look like she is working. I promise she did other things besides "sit". This mess in this picture makes me wonder how anything got finished.
I posted this pic to prove Chad helped a little bit. Some of the old hinges would not come off because they were painted right onto the cabinet. Chad was more than happy to get his blow torch, yes that is right, his blow torch, to help loosen them right on up!
Some people are wondering how we got any work done with 8 grand kids running around. Well, this is one way we tried to cope. Have the little ones take care of each other. Just kidding, Sam volunteered to give Ryder his bottle, but honestly Sam got bored with the task long before the little chubby man was satisfied.
Check back in tomorrow for finished kitchen pictures!!

Easter (finally)

We had a really awesome Easter weekend. We colored eggs, we hunted eggs, the kids got Easter bunny loot, and most importantly we to Church to celebrate the Resurrection of our Lord. The service was wonderful (especially Ed's wig, wish I had a picture to post of that!!). After church we came back to our house along with Joe, Lanus, Mom, Dad, Sally, Bert, and Emily to eat. We then just hung out until it was time to go to curch that evening. All in all it was a fun filled weekend.

I really do not know why Max makes faces everytime a camera is poined in his direction!!

Yes, Ben's hand was green for a couple of days, but he really enjoyed himself!!

It is next to impossible to get a decent pic of my kiddos together, thank goodness for Aunt Kaye

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you

I know that I have not been posting much lately, but we have been really busy giving my kitchen and entryway a makeover. When I say we I mean my mom, Katie, Annie, and Sally. I am even going to have to give Chad a little credit (notice I said little). He is replacing all of my light switches, electric outlets and the plates to cover them!! He is not finished so hopefully he will not electricut himself before he finishes. I wanted to let my sisters and my mom (especially my mom she has been working so hard) know how much I appreciate their help. I owe Katie also, because with out a little push from her I would probably never undertake these adventures and I so desperately needed to. As soon as I get the kitchen cleaned up I will post before and after pics. I also have Easter pics to post and hopefully I will get that done tomorrow. Right now I am going to go work on painting the trim. Thanks again guys.

Peek-a-boo!!

I know, I know, I know, it has been like a million years since I have posted and I will not even bore you with excuses.

Ben is playing peek-a-boo and it is precious. One of these days were are going to get a new video camera so I can show you just how precious my little man really is!! Of course, I think that Ben laughs more at himself than any of us do. He is his own biggest fan!!