Visitors

We have had visitors on our property lately. They come almost everyday and night. MA is fascinated with them. See for yourself ...

Momma deer and baby.

The lone deer.

Other things happening around our house ... TRAVEL. I've been gone, then John left and came back and then went again. We are all back under one roof now. MA doesn't like for her daddy to be gone. She wakes up every morning and asks me, "Where daddy go?"

We are getting excited about the upcoming holidays and company that will be coming. Here is a fall scene around Starkville and a MA happy. :)

Jackson Street in Starkville. Beautiful! :)

MA's new fall hat. Can't wait for her to wear it.

Birthday Party Videos

The following are selected videos that show Mary Audrey's ever-evolving personality. Thank you Stuart Ryan Wright for being the man behind the camera phone to capture these for us! :)

First gift she opens ...




Need more Cowbell

Cleaning Cart

Official Birthday Party

We actually had Mary Audrey's official birthday party this weekend. Yes, I know its been 6 weeks since her real birthday (Sept 22) but we were in the height of remodeling and moving during her birthday so we delayed the actual party. Just so you don't call DHS on us, we did celebrate her birthday on her birthday at McDonald's and it included other people than me and John and we had cupcakes. Now that we have that cleared up, on to the party.

My good friend Betsey has been encouraging me to make Mary Audrey's birthday cake, including the homemade baker's icing. I really didn't want to but I thought I would give this a try. I do like to bake/cook but it is not as convenient has it used to be! *wink* *wink* Anyways, I did bake the cake and make the icing and from my reviews it turned out well. I have some work to do with food coloring and decorating. Mary Audrey enjoyed it and that is all that matters. :) Thank you Bets for the encouragment and letting me borrow all of your supplies!!!

Here are some pictures from the party.

The Cake! I wanted the icing to be a lime green but it came out like pale green. So, there informs you about the professional development I need regarding food coloring. Personally, I thought it was pretty good for my first time.

MA eating the icing off the side of the cake.

Our family.

MA loved unwrapping all of her gifts. I forsee that Christmas will be a lot of fun this year.

Aunt Gigi, Uncle Jo Jo, E-ya, & the trips sent MA this tutu that included a wand and bracelets. She didn't take it off for quite some time. It is so CUTE!

Can't leave any cards out. They are very important.

MA being the ham that she is ... :)

October in Review ...

Here are a few pics of things we have done in October.

Visited our friends in Vicksburg, Jacob, Kara, Jake, & Presley Brister. We had so much fun and appreciate the Brister's adjusting their schedule for us. Bristers, we expect to see you in Starkville very soon!

L to R: Presley, Jake, & Mary Audrey

Fall School Pictures at FBC Creative Learning Center

Had 2-year old pictures made with Leslie Burton of Sisters Photography (www.sistersphoto.net)



Went to the State Fair in Jackson/Hayride at the Ag Museum

Played at the Park in Jackson


MSU Football

PumpkinPalooza in Starkville and Fall Festival at FBC

Miss Vampire Bat

Mary Audrey and Hannah, Cousin Chris and Amanda's girl.

House Updates

Well we have moved in and are trying to get settled. There is still nothing on the walls and John and I want to wait and buy what we want instead of having just "filler." So ... it will come with time. I still have NOT taken pictures of the transformation inside. But here is the outside picture.

BEFORE:



AFTER:

HELLO Blocker Road!

Here are a few pictures of the house. I can't do before and after right now. Just too much going on. I will do that later.

We move in tomorrow, September 30. Not every single thing will be completed but I refuse to pay another month's rent. :)

Front:
And ... the not so pretty front door. The stain didn't come out like i wanted it so we are going to paint it a similiar color. :( Oh well.

Den with new floors.

Back room with walls painted. Khaki Shade is now "in da house!" :)

My most favorite part of the remodel ... the new kitchen cabinets. They are absolutely beautiful! :)

The kitchen countertop. It will be here on Friday!


MA's shower and ours looks the same.

More renovation updates

More renovation updates. I am going to try to use the last pictures so you can really see the progess. Excuse my overlap.


Before:



During renovation:


UPDATE:


Before:


During renovation:

UPDATE:

This is the back room. It was an old porch that the previous owners enclosed.

Before:

During renovation:

A new window was also installed in that room. Here is the inside picture. It really brightens up that room and i love being able to look to the backyard.

UPDATE:

The view from the backyard to the new window. Lovely!

UPDATE:

The outside break around the new window has been completed.

Below is part of the master bedroom that included a wonderful sliding glass door. I didn't want it to stay since John travels so much and I was scared it would be a great entry point for robbers. So ... the door is gone and a wonderful window is now in its place.

Before:


UPDATE:


Window on far right is the new one.

UPDATE:
Notice the brick on the far right is now in place. I'm going to paint the brick to make it flow with the other brick that was discontinued 11 years ago. NICE!

Renovation updates

I told you the next time I would post I would have renovation updates. And I do! Yippee!!!! God is good. And the renovation is going fast and we are happy about that. Here are some before and "during" shots. After photos will come when it is all complete.

Here is the living room before work. The brick wall is actually to your left. Notice on the right side of the picture the old paneling wall and notice the openings into the next room.

Before:
During renovation:
Floors have been removed. Panel wall has been removed. Wall openings have been squared up and widen to match the other openings.

Not much happening in the kitchen besides floor removal. Appliances are being ordered this weekend and cabinets will be stained a darker color next week.

Before:

During renovation:

This is the back room. It was an old porch that the previous owners enclosed. The floor, however, is unlevel.

Before:

During renovation:
The floor has been taken up and the openings have been squared and widen to match the others. Also, below you can see that the floor has been leveled. Yippee. It really makes a difference.

A new window was also installed in that room. Here is the inside picture. It really brightens up that room and i love being able to look to the backyard.

The view from the backyard to the new window. Lovely!

Bathrooms are at the same place. Everything is being ripped out and new is coming. I am only going to show the master bath.

Before: (sorry for the darkness ... didn't have electricity then!)


During renovation:

Below is part of the master bedroom that included a wonderful sliding glass door. I didn't want it to stay since John travels so much and I was scared it would be a great entry point for robbers. So ... the door is gone and a wonderful window is now in its place.

Before:

Window on far right is the new one. Sorry for the outside shot. I forgot to take one inside. I was amazed by how awesome it looked I totally forgot.

And on another note, last Friday night we (MA & I, John was out of town working) went to our first Starkville Academy (SA) game with my counsin-in-law, Amanda, and her daughter, Hannah. Amanda's husband, my cousin, Chris, is the now the basketball coach at SA. Amanda started her first year of vet school in July and is doing great. She is so smart. We love having them here and MA and Hannah play great together.

More renovation pictures coming next week. Have a great Labor day weekend every one! :)