Walk-in closet, half done

So, we finished the right side of the walk-in closet in our bedroom. It's bigger and brighter and much nicer than I expected it to turn out. I think it will be a great space once we get the other side done.

XOXO

I am feeling particularly grateful for Bryan tonight. I don't think he truly "gets" how incredible I think he is. So...I will just say that I love you very much, Bryan. THANK YOU for going on this chaotic, kooky ride with me.

Visit from Nana and Papa

Nana and Papa are heading back to Alabama tomorrow, and we are all a little sad (especially Katy!) She had SUCH a fun time having her every whim catered to, and she quickly learned to avoid eye contact with me when she was pushing those boundaries (as did Papa!)

Thanks for the fun, Mom and Dad...We are all looking forward to visiting YOU next time!

Riding her bike to the park

Katy has just figured out that the "big girl bike" is a pretty cool thing. I hadn't been able to get her past her frustration to figure out the joys of riding a bike, but she's finally broken the code. Today was the second time that she was able to pedal the 3 blocks to the local kids' park. She was very serious initially, but finally loosened up enough for some good photos.

THIS was a fun Mother's Day....

Photo of the dogs

Just a cute photo of the dogs, hanging out in the backyard. Love these two critters!!

Photos for Tracy, including Train ride

Today was fun--we went on a little train ride, on the Walkersville Southern Railroad (all 6.2 miles of it). The ride takes about 1 hr 15 minutes, and the train never goes faster than 10 miles an hour, but it is through some pretty Maryland countryside. Katy thought it was big fun. I also promised Aunt Tracy a few photos, so I also got her out in the yard for some snapshots in front of the yellow flowered bush in the side yard.

Photos of new basement closet

New Katy photos and writing

I am terribly behind on my postings of Katy, so here's a couple of photos (though her hair looks unnaturally red in the second one). I am also posting the chalkboard words that she wrote while I was talking to Nana tonight. Translations are as follows: Katy is the two lower words; Robin is top left; and Katherine (Kathei and r down below is as far as she got--that is generally what happens when she tries to write that word, as that E gets VERY BIG!) It always makes me smile when she writes--I love that she loves letters as much as she does!

Much love,

Robin

TV room and stucco basement wall

New carpet

Here's the latest photos

House update

I looked around tonight and realized that the house looks very different than it did 6 months ago, when we first started this project. It's nice to see some projects finally completed (or nearly completed), as I still have many more that remain unfinished.

I think it will all be worth it in the end, and it's really starting to feel like "home."

That's a happy thing.

Happy New Year!

Robin

Kayak photos

Tracy requested some photos of the latest kayak project; I have to admit that I haven't been as good at documenting this project as I was the last. I will try to do better with that. I'll post the newest photos on Bryan's kayak website: http://shawpygmyboat.blogspot.com/

Ciao!

Merry Christmas!

Today was a good day. Despite Katy having a touch of a stomach virus, she really had a good time playing with her new toys. She loved all the Princess "stuff," and I also enjoyed watching her play with her new camera. Once she saw the photos could be downloaded to my computer, she had a blast, snapping away at everything in sight.

So, here's her maiden photography attempt (please pardon the lovely shots of me with no makeup!), as well as a few photos that I snapped while she was playing with the camera. Love it!

Merry XMas!

In the snow

We got 5" of snow yesterday, which delighted Katy. She couldn't wait to get home from school and go out in the white powder, though she wasn't about to go out without wearing her Barbie dress. I'm just glad she finally decided that it was wisest to at least put on boots and her coat!

Summer photos

Tonight, I happened to rediscover these great photos of Dad and Katy in July. Loved the expressions, the lighting, the stark white clothes, and the obvious fun that they were having.

Too cute!