Kitchen Remodel Reveal

Our kitchen is finally done!  We are so happy to have it done and not be in construction mode anymore.  We LOVE the way it turned out!  It is so bright and light now in the kitchen, both due to the color choice and lighting we put in.  The extra height in the cabinets is AMAZING (though I have to use a chair to reach some things), and the kitchen feels bigger with the extra height as well.  Plus we have more space with the new cabinets being 15 inches deep instead of 12; it's incredible!  The cabinets are soft close so they're quiet, and the drawers slide so smoothly and don't fall off. ;) 

Steve replaced the floor with new 12x24 light grey tile, and put the tile all the way UNDER the cabinets.  He also pushed out the soffits to make more space for the cabinets and fixed the electrical.  We took down the wallpaper and shelves and painted the walls.  Steve put in can lights in the ceiling.  We have new appliances of course (minus the microwave so far).  Steve also did the hardwood floors and transition strips in the formal dining room, along with new baseboards, new white subway 3x6 tile back splash, new windows, trim around the windows, new sink and faucet, new outlets, under mount lighting under the cabinets, and of course new cabinets and granite countertops.  Here are some pictures of the before and after.

Before

After

Before

After

Before

After

Before

After

Here are a few more pics.  I LOVE the new tile floor for several reasons.  One being it's smooth aka not bumpy, especially when you roll Carter in his high chair across the floor.

I also LOVE our deep single faucet.  You can fit so much in it, including Carter's high chair trays and cookie sheet (laying flat).  Plus our new faucet moves better and comes down to spray.  It makes washing dishes fun again!

The under mount lighting Steve put in is incredible as well. 

You can see so much better as you're preparing food.

I love these big deep drawers.  I put my pots and pans in the bottom one and mixing bowls in the middle one.  They hold so much both in weight and capacity.

It's been a work in process since we moved in 2 years ago, but we finally buckled down and did it.  We are so HAPPY with the results!

4th of July Week

July has been HOT to say the least.  We've been right around 100 degrees every day!  Though it's been hot we've had a lot of fun things to do with friends and family and have enjoyed the beauty around us.  Here are some highlights of the 1st week of July.

Steve getting attacked by the boys.  Nyles sun bleached Summer hair, so cute!

Steve made swords and shields for the boys to play.  He's so creative.

Nyles playing w/ the neighbor Jace w/ their swords/shield, while Carter plays w/ trucks.

Nyles went on a hike w/ the neighbors Kaitlyn and Cameron Moreton and their cousins.

Steve went up to the cabin early on the 4th to get a few things out due to the fire risk.

 When he got back, and after Carter took a nap, we went up to Midway to celebrate the 4th at Melanie/Brandon's place.  We went swimming, had a bbq, and played.

Carter sporting sunglasses.  A pretty Lily bloomed in our front yard.

 

Carter figured out how to jump on the trampoline.

Cute Carter w/ their dog Sandy.

The boys swimming at a pool by Melanie's house.

Steve had to bring his swords and shields he made.
Steve fighting Nyles and Ethan at the same time.

Lynsie, Livi, Noah and Nyles jumping on the trampoline.

Cousin look-a-likes, Carter and Noah.

Carter enjoying the slide, which he can now do on his own.  Watch out!  

Yes, he scares us every time he goes up the ladder.

When we got home the neighbors were doing some fireworks.  Nyles just had to join in.
Nyles doing some fireworks w/ the neighbors Kaitlyn and Cameron Moreton.

Sparklers!

Nyles finished his 2nd class of swim lessons this summer and did awesome!  He's getting better and better and more confident in the water.  He loves the last day of swim, jumping off the diving board. 

Cannonball!

Nyles so excited to jump off the diving boards.  Straight legs!

Carter wanted to get in the pool.  He couldn't of course, so he jumped in the puddle.

More jumping off the diving board.

Steve went up w/ Dave again on Friday afternoon to get a few more things from the cabin.  The fire was getting closer and closer, so they wanted to take out some of the most important things.  They called it the Dollar Ridge Fire and it's burned over 56,000 acres!  You can see the fire across Strawberry Reservoir.  Steve is holding pine needles which were coming down from the fire.

 

The fire burning over behind the dam.

Huge flames and smoke.

View from the cabin.

We went back up to Midway on Saturday for Olivia's baptism.  After the baptism, we had lunch, then went swimming at a pool by Melanie's house.  We wanted to go for a hike afterwards, so we went over Guardsman's Pass (Big Cottonwood Canyon) as a quicker way home and to find a place to hike on our way back.  Carter refused to take a nap while at Melanie's house and played hard while swimming, so naturally he crashed as soon as we got in the car.

                                                  Carter just snoozing on our drive back.

Beautiful view going up Guardman's Pass.

 Looking down towards Midway. 

 Coming down the canyon now. 

It was pretty busy up at the top of Guardman's Pass, so we went down further and ended up at Donut Falls.  It was getting late (Carter's bedtime), so luckily we were able to find a parking spot close to the hike.  Though it was still warm at this elevation, it was a wonderful hike with lots a beauty around us to see.  We made good time and were able to go up and down the hike in 1 hour w/ the kids.  Thankfully we were able to make it home to get the boys to bed still at a decent time.

Rob, Steve, Carter and Nyles on our hike. 

Cute Nyles at the stream.  Steve carried Carter the whole way.  Thanks cutie!

The pot guts were everywhere!  This big guy was looking for food.  Pretty flower.

              

There is beauty all around!

Carter's cute smile.  We made it!

More smiles from Carter.  Nyles conquering the rock.

This is a quote from a really good book I finished recently.  It's called "The Cost of Winning" by Dean Hughes.  It's a great book that will help you think more clearly about our priorities.  The Lord really does love us for who we are and who we are becoming.  He doesn't compare us against one another, but with the progress we personally are making.  I'd recommend it to everyone.