The Almost After

We are not quite done with the remodel but I know a few folks have been waiting to see the after pictures.  Because the project isn't completely finished these will be the almost after pictures.  Also, please pardon any messes you might see in these shots as we're still working on the living in the new space details. 

Taken from the dining room into the kitchen.

One of my favorite cabinet features are the two doored cabinets where I can access my tableware from the kitchen or dining room.  Also, you can see some of the cabinet detailing in this picture.

From the living room at the dining room and new stool friendly counter.  The girls and I are loving breakfasts at the bar!  Notice how wonderful the vinyl floor is for sweeping messes and wiping spills?  Beats that carpet any day!

Kitchen counter top and sink- still cluttered because the electrical and tile isn't in yet and a few items are waiting for permanent homes.

New additional cabinets and microwave shelf that are mounted into the wall adjacent the kitchen.  Its not the best angle but I haven't figured out a better place to take the picture from yet.

And the floor, it goes from the entry into the laundry, kitchen, dining room and ends in the hallway....beautiful!

Hopefully I'll be able to add the final pictures sooner rather than later.  But that should quench the curiosity of a few. 

A Week Up North

Because of the remodel and Kurt being away for work the end of July we all headed up north for my Mom's birthday.  Spent the weekend in Rhinelander with my youngest brother, John (and all the rest of the family) 'camping' and boating in the beautiful weather.  Kurt headed home on Sunday and the girls and I stayed on for some more time at the Lake with my parents and family in Medford.  Highlights included time at Gramma's Library, dress shopping for our upcoming wedding in Norway, a night at the Taylor Co. Fair and plenty of time in and on the water!

Kate showing her squirt gun prowess at Lake 19 (or as she called it Lake 13).

A huge caterpillar that Dad and Tom found at Lake 19.  Well on its way to becoming a Luna Moth.

Julia having her first ice cream cone.

Fishing with Gramps.

On the pontoon at Sackett's.

At Sackett's there's always been a sandbar but we've never seen the rocks on it piled so high!

Putting out the raft at Lake 19.  Kate gave the inaugeral jump! She is such a fish.

 

During...

Now that we've had sufficient time to recover from demolition and time sans kitchen and all that goes with it, I thought I'd better at least post an update.  So for your enjoyment here are the during pictures of our dining room/kitchen remodel.

Tearing up the indoor/outdoor carpeting that plagued the dining room. Yuck!

This is Lindsey, our help, packing up EVERYTHING in the kitchen and dining room and moving it downstairs for the duration. God Bless Lindsey!

Planning what needed to be painted after the cabinets were down and out.

Moving in the new subfloor.  Man does that eliminate the creaking!

Julia enjoying basement living.

Our other huge help, our niece Laura, pictured here with Kate.  Laura helped me with the girls during the remodel and Vacation Bible School.  She even came back for more in subsequent weeks.  God Bless Laura!

So to update you, the remodel is over half done.  We have some tiling to finish in the kitchen. The contractor is coming back to complete the trimming.  And Kurt's wrapping up the kitchen electrical and then we'll be done, I think. ;-)   The new flooring and cabinets give the house a totally different look.  I'm super pleased.  So, stay tuned I'll post nearly finished pictures soon...

The Before

Can you guess why this has me excited?

Katie and Julia

Katie (3 yrs.)
Continuing to grow in independence
Working on appropriate ways to communicate her displeasure (ie: not whining, yelling, tantruming etc.) and succeeding in trying mom's patience.
Still a HUGE fan of Gramma
Enjoys imagination play --of recent note assigning new names and identities to moms and babies, asking where you're from (not Kieler usually environs ;-)), dress up and cooking in her kitchen
Jumps in the pool on her own (with a life jacket) and enjoys swimming
Knows how to pump on the swing and climb up to the slide platform from all various routes
Counts to twenty + though she usually misses 13 and 15.
Can identify most letters and write a, t, l and i. 
Is dominately left handed and has a tendency to  'read books' and write backwards (ie: right to left- I'm thinking she should start with Hebrew lessons now ;-))

Enjoys being read to- recent favorites include, the childrens version of the Little House Series, the Ladybug Girl series, anything by Mo Willems and anything she can sneek in at the library with a character (Diego, Blue's Clues, Dora, Thomas, Backyardigans etc.) much to her mothers chagrin
Loves to sing and rhyme
Julia (1 yr.)
Beginning stages of walking on her own
Loves to dance- reacts to music
Generous with smiles
Has begun tears, crying for drama
Still working on those elusive front teeth, ouch, I think that is part of reason for her clingyness and rough sleeping habits these days
Growing vocabulary includes, hi, bye, guys, da (dad), ma (mom), dede (Katie), more, nure (nurse), ball, bubble and signing please and babbles frequently

Wants to do/play whatever sister is doing/playing
Has come to that squirmy stage while in your arms but is too little to set down most places for fear of trouble
Can and will climb- stairs, chairs, tables, totes, toys etc.

Summer 2011 Update

My apologies to those of you who may be hanging on my every post our summer has been pretty busy and to be honest posting gets pushed down the list with swimming to do, people to visit, books to read and the whatnot.

We made a trip to Gramma and Grandpa's.  Got to do some fishing pontooning. 

First Fish!

I don't know what the face is about.

 We also had the chance to catch a Brewers game at Miller Park.  They swept the Twins that weekend.  The tailgating was wonderful the company terrific and the kids were great sports humoring the adults for a Sunday afternoon game.

My good friend Paula wanted to see her Twins play some place other than Target Field.  Miller Park was a great spot.

Jules didn't make to to the 7th inning stretch.

Master of the Grill

She loved the hotdog race and the ice cream. 

More updates on the girls and us soon.  Happy 4th of July we're off the the church picnic!