Kitchen Makeover

During Christmas Break, we started doing some remodeling work on our kitchen! We still need to do a few more things, but I am so happy with how it turned out. I am most proud of the counter tops. We knew they needed to be replaced so we looked at different things we could do and I just couldn't fathom spending that much money on counter tops. So, I started looking on Pinterest for something we could to spruce them up with I stumbled across this blog. I immediately started watching YouTube videos about the process and decided to go for it. It is much easier to explain in pictures so, enjoy!

I have looked and looked and I don't have ANY before pictures of the kitchen (I guess it was so ugly, I didn't take any accidental pics) But you can kind of see what it looked like in some of these pictures.

 Before I painted, I had to prime the counter top with Kilz 

 For my base coat I used a gray color. So I dabbed the gray paint with a balled up paper towel (I used the little acrylic craft tubes that are at HobLob for $1), let it dry for about 20 min, and then added the tan. After 2-3 coats of gray and tan, I did a little bit of black, and then repeated the process for about 15 coats of paint. I took pictures of every coat, but I don't feel like downloading all of them. You get the picture right?

 SEVERAL coats and hours later, this was the final painted product

 Then, we poured EnviroTex (also at HobLob, I used a 40% off coupon) onto the counter top and used a hard piece of plastic to smooth it out. This part scared me because I was so scared we were going to mess up hours of hard work, but it really wasn't that hard. You just pout it on and smooth it and it pretty much just falls off. 

 The big counter after the sealer dried. 

 Smoothing the sealer out.

 For a little extra pizazz, we added a small rock trim on top of the counter. 

 Finally starting to look like a kitchen! 

 We also put down new floors in the kitchen, hallway, and half of the dining room. It made a HUGE difference! 

 The small counter top with our new cabinet 

 Check out the checkered laminate... :( 

 This is what my house looked like for about two weeks. Can you find Py?? 

 Our next project is new cabinet doors...As of now, they are naked! 

 The hallway

 Hallway going into the kitchen 

New sink! 

The microwave will go above the stove...It is still sitting in the floor in the dining room. 

The shelf above the sink. 

Kitchen sink with the faucet 

That's all for now! I am so excited for our next projects and all the things we have planned to continue to make our little house a home. 

Christmas 2012

Christmas is always crazy for us, but this year it was especially fun! We got to spend our first Christmas with my older brother and his family! My mom and I have been looking forward to this for MONTHS and I was so glad when it finally came! Py and I did our gifts to each other on Sunday morning and then loaded up the truck and headed to Mom and Dad's to see everyone. We stayed with them Sunday night and Monday night (Christmas Eve) and then went to Py's parents house on Christmas morning. After Christmas there, we went to Woodson for Christmas with Py's grandmother, Nenny. Unfortunately, my camera died so I didn't get any pictures at Nenny's. But--here is a photo recap of everything else. :)

Sunday morning at home :)

Py opening his clay thrower I bought him

 I think he liked it :) 

I debated posting this picture because my hair is atrocious. But I needed to show off my awesome present from my hubby :) 

Then we headed to Merkel to see my family...

 The overflowing Christmas Tree 

 Patiently waiting to open presents. Don't you remember being that excited?!

 Dad got a Wii :) 

 We got Landry a huge Mater truck from Cars 

 Cooper and Megan opening presents

 Isn't that adorable? 

Matching hats :) 

 I love this picture! Chloe was so excited about one of her gifts, that she made a special trip to give her mom a hug and kiss. 

 My new light-up make up mirror

 Landry's gift theme this year was TRUCKS, he got a parking lot full of them

 Mom got a (much needed) new camera! 

Py and his new camo vest 

and then, SANTA came!! 

On Christmas morning, we headed to Py's parents house. I didn't get as many pictures because my camera was starting to die and was super slow. They open presents fast! :) 

 Tina and Eddie's Christmas Tree 

 Dyllan's new kicks :) 

Dyllan and Tina opening their Coach purses we got them :) 

Py and I on Christmas morning 

And I didn't get any pictures at Nenny's house. :( 

But we had a great time and even got some SNOW on Christmas! We had a great Christmas and have been extremely blessed! I am already ready for next year :) 

Thanksgiving 2012

For Thanksgiving this year we did our usual rotation of family stuffings gatherings. We spent Thanksgiving Day in Woodson with Py's family. I only have one picture I took of us on my iPhone from that day :( Thanksgiving night we braved the crowds and did a little Black Friday shopping. Nothing too extreme--those people are frightening! Friday, Tina (my MIL) and Dyllan (my SIL) did a little a lot more shopping. We shopped ALL day, but scored a lot of good deals. On Saturday, we went to my parents house for Thanksgiving with my dad's side of the family. This is the 2nd year we have done this and it is so wonderful getting to see everyone. Again--I'm not the best picture taker, so I only grabbed a few. Here's a quick recap:

 Thanksgiving Day in Woodson

Getting ready to go shopping! 

 Target Practice

 Look at all that food!

 Desserts :)

 Py and I had a little photo shoot after everyone left.

I think we're pretty cute, if I do say so myself! 

Thanksgiving 2012 is in the books and I can gratefully say we had a lot to be thankful for. The Lord has continued to bless our marriage and our lives. We are so very fortunate!