Author Archives: Chrissie

Worth A Thousand Words

I just got off Skype with my parents and I was attempting to impress upon them how much snow we have.  How very very much snow.  And no matter what I said, I could not convey the vast quantity of snow.  I know I’m prone the exaggeration but I’m serious now.  We have too much snow.  So where words have failed me, I turn to pictures.  Here is my very own photo blog of snow.

December 14th.  A light dusting of snow begins to fall on our house.  It is very sweet.  Notice the shining snow flakes…the porch steps….heck, even grass is visible.

And today….

Still not impress?  Fine.  Back to December 14th.  Again, notice the car tires…. the curbs…. heck just watch the car itself.

And today.

Still no awe?  Fine.  Fine.  I’m getting serious here.  December 14th.  Looking off the front porch.  Notice the bricks around the tree…the small bushes…the utility boxes.

And today.

Have I convinced you?  Have I?  What!  Ok, ok.  Backyard people.  December 14th.  Notice the sandbox….the red door on the play structure…the distance between the swings and the ground….the legs on the sand box.

And today.

Um, snow god?  Yeah, I’m done.  Please stop the snow.  Please?

Snow Overload

Sometimes playing in the snow can be to much (yes, Sammy it’s true…).   We now have almost a foot of snow.  It snowed non-stop on Saturday.  It’s been intermittent today.  You know you’ve been snowed in too long when even your children aren’t that excited to go out and play in the snow anymore.  Here’s a shot of the “Snow Recovery Procedure” at the McLaughlin household:

Snuggling after playing in the snow 1

Snuggling after snow 2

It’s Here!

I woke this morning the the squeals of delight from the girls.  Large soft snow flakes were drifting by all the windows just as silent as feathers.  We were all rushing from window to window to watch them dance by.  After a hasty breakfast, we bundled up the girls.

Kulia didn’t want to wear mittens even though we warned her it would be cold.  She’s a tough one that kid.  She didn’t hesitate to jump right in and start scooping up snow with her bare hands.  

Leina ran outside too looking for a snow ball fight.  Unfortunately, neither Kevin nor I were inclined to join her.  Artie, however, didn’t quite understand the ramifications of steping outside and Leina was soon chasing him around with snow in hand.  Luckily, he is still much faster than her!

It didn’t take long for them to realize how cold it was so we all trooped back in for some hot cocoa and more gazing out of windows.  Not, however, before Kulia the rascal decided to pelt her mom a good one.

It’s still coming down fast and furious here and it’s only 9:30am!  I can only hope it sticks around for a while so we can build a Frosty or two.  Wonderful, beautiful, snow!

A Little Merriment

It sure feels like Christmas here.  We’ve got the BNL Christmas album blaring, ornaments scattered like pine needles around the house, and the Santa hat is making the rounds.

What is it about a Santa hat that everyone loves?  You put it on and immediately feel jolly.  My goal is to photograph everyone who comes to my house this Christmas in the Santa hat.  Leina and Kevin were more than willing to pose for me wearing their Christmas grins.  Here’s Kevin working the Santa hat and his dimple.  (Brace yourselves ladies!)

Leina had her turn too.  Man are eyes blue!  You may see just a slight resemblance to her father.  Just a smidgen.

Kulia wasn’t in the mood but I have 11 more days to woo her.  She would sit for a father and daughter picture though.  Aren’t they a precious bunch!

Now all we need is some of that promised snow to round out a wonderful winter weekend.

O Christmas Tree

And the tree is up!  Still working on the decorations but there’s time, right?  We had a wonderful trip to the tree farm where the girls loved hiking through the Christmas tree forest.  I managed to get some great photos too which means I got a tree and our Christmas card done in one outing.  Yes!  Then Leina sat on Santa’s lap and whispered her wish into his ear.  Kulia was not going near that strange man so Leina relayed Kulia’s message for her.  Top it off with some hot cocoa and a trip to the gift shop where I got presents for friends and Kevin bought 1.5 lbs of fudge and we were one happy family.  

This picture didn’t make the cut for the 2008 Christmas Card but it’s so cute, I thought I’d post it here for your enjoyment.  Hope the Christmas spirit is catching in you home too!

Thanksgiving 2008 Recap

Wow, did we ever have a great Thanksgiving.  The girls adored playing with their grandparents, we ate a fabulous smorgasbord meal, and even banged out some more on the kitchen project.  Wanna see?

OK, to refresh your memory, this is where we last left the kitchen.

Not bad, right?  For the most part, the upper cabinets were installed.  The lower units….not so pretty.  The sink corner was still the original worn oak cabinets and we had slapped the old linoleum counter top back on leaving odd gaps and tipsy surfaces.  But it was workable.  In addition to the old cabinets, I still had that awful paint all over the walls.  Picture the sky on an overcast cold day.  Now paint that on your walls.  Because really, everyone who lives in the NW needs more reminders of dreary rain days, right?  

With a few days off, Papa and Kevin decided to tackled the next phase of the kitchen.  Install the final sink base cabinets and counter top.  This was an ordeal because it meant they had to removed my sink for a few days and I had to take everything out of the cabinets.  Chaos, chaos, chaos.

First, the sink and old disgusting cabinets were removed leaving a very large and ominous hole.

To make this space, everything had to be jammed all over the place.  This is where the chaos started.  What you see below is the dishwasher, kitchen table, displaced stuff and the kitchen sink sitting on saw horses.  Not so nice, right?  But do you see the new paint job?  Sunny yellow!  Yes!

The men worked quickly and professionally and after only a few days, order was restored.  Here, now is the first official reveal of the beautiful new counter tops.  Enjoy…

Pretty, huh?  I was debating waiting on the counters and going spendy with granite but I decided to give these butcher block tops a try.  The price difference saved us, literally, thousands and Kevin & my dad were able to install them in a day.  What a deal.  Now, when I enter my kitchen, instead of moldy and grey, I see sunny and beautiful.  I’m so so so happy. 

OK, there is still on thing missing.  Can you spot it?  The back-splash tile.  I need to find me a tile store pronto so I can put this kitchen to rest finally.  I’m thinking white with blue flowers or maybe a twining vine.  We’ll see.   But seriously people, my kitchen rocks!

Of course, while we were working in the kitchen, Tutu was off running interference with the girlies.  I don’t know what they were playing but I know they were having fun.  Can’t you tell?