Ringing In The New Year

The new year is off to a fabulous start. Somehow, the stars aligned and I was able to arrange four kid-free days beginning New Years Eve for Andi and I to sneak away together. Andi's mom, Janie, offered to watch Tory and Aden two of the days and I hired another babysitter to cover the other two days. Andi and I contemplated where to spend our four kid-free days -- somewhere warm? a last minute flight deal? -- but ultimately decided we just wanted to be at our lake cabin. We have a beautiful retreat that's all our own; might as well enjoy it!

New Year's Eve, Andi and I left the kids with Andi's mom and drove the 1 1/2 hours to the lake cabin. We got in around 8pm, dropped our bags and headed straight to the neighbor's cabin for an outdoor NYE celebration. Our friends Joe and Lisa made an ice bar on the lake the weekend prior and invited several friends on the lake over to ring in the new year. Celebrating the beginning of 2015 on the ice was just as fun and crazy as it sounds! No need to fret over what to wear on New Year's Eve; Andi and I dressed in as many layers as possible because it was 10 degrees outside. We all stood around a bonfire on the ice and talked, bellied up to the ice bar for a shot or two, and had a great night together.

That's Andi and I there - under all those winter weather clothes...

Everclear-soaked cherries anyone?

Andi and I capped off the night with 30 minutes in the sauna to warm our bodies up from the chill of the outdoors. The perfect ending to a great night.

We bought a new ice house earlier in the week, so on Thursday (New Year's Day) Andi and I pulled it onto nearby Staples Lake for its inaugural day on the ice. We didn't catch many fish that day, but had an awesome time together eating burgers from a nearby bar & grill, and hanging with our cabin neighbors who stopped by the fish house for a visit.

Early Friday morning, I received a text message from our babysitter (the one whom I'd arranged to watch Tory and Aden the second half of the weekend) saying she was feeling ill. A big wrench thrown in Andi and I's kid-free holiday weekend; luckily we were only 1 1/2 hours away at the cabin. Andi's mom Janie offered to drive the kids up to the lake so Andi and I could still go on the ice fishing adventure we'd arranged that day in Hayward, WI. So, with the kids in route to the cabin Andi and I drove an hour North to Nelson Lake. We fished throughout the afternoon for sunfish and crappies in very windy and cold 10 degree weather.  

Reunited with Tory and Aden, Andi and I spent the entire day on Saturday out on the lake. Our new ice house is much more accommodating for little kids, giving Tory plenty of room to lay around and watch a television show on her iPad and Aden room to crawl around indoors (we kept all the fishing holes inside the shack closed to play it safe). Andi fished on tip-ups outside the ice house and in between bites, we all played games and built puzzles together.  

  

Tory was made for this lifestyle; she literally cried when it was time to go back to the cabin for the night. Someday soon Andi and Tory can have a sleepover in the ice house; I'll stay back at the cabin with Aden and sleep in our comfy, warm king-size bed. 

We've had the perfect beginning to the New Year, and though it wasn't all the relaxing responsibility-free weekend Andi and I'd imagined, it was still pretty great. Here's hoping this year brings much more family togetherness, fun and adventure.   

Our Cabin Make-Over: The After Photos! (Upstairs Bath / Entry Way / Mid-Level Mud Room and Wet Bar)

Picking up where I left off to share photographs of our recent lake cabin remodel (see before and after photos of the living room, dining room and kitchen here)...

Quite possibly my favorite outcome of the entire cabin remodel is the upstairs bathroom and funny enough, that project was actually a last-minute add-on. Andi and I had intentions of updating the bathroom with the rest of interior, of course, but we'd planned to save it for a later date. What we quickly learned once work began in the interior of our lake cabin, is that construction dust would be everywhere and we didn't love the idea of enduring the mess twice. We also realized the bathroom would stick out like a sore thumb once every other room in the upstairs level was updated so in the 11th hour of construction, we added it to our project scope.

One aspect that made the renovation process run smoothly is how similar of taste Andi and I share. For us, it's something like "yep, yep, nope ... yep." We know what we like; we make a decision and move forward. There isn't a lot of negotiating from either side.

Andi and I both agreed the main objective in the bathroom renovation should be to enlarge the shower. Previously, the shower was a hexagonal shape and I hated the way my elbows touched the sides while showering. It was also bone-colored with frosted glass and spoke of its dated 90's installation. I'm not sure what, if anything, was in the empty space beside the shower stall previously but it seemed logical to extend the shower across the entire back wall of the bathroom to make it feel more open. We selected a gray slate tile for the shower walls, as well as the flooring in the bathroom. It's difficult to tell from the photographs, but there is a clear wall of glass that separates the shower and the toilet. Andi was adamant about putting in a river rock floor in the shower, and it does add a nice touch of natural landscape to the bathroom. Now, showering feels as if we're vacationing at a luxurious spa retreat. It's heavenly!

Upstairs Bathroom - BEFORE / AFTER

Andi sourced a cabinet builder to create a custom bathroom vanity. The top surface is skip sawn barn wood with a lacquered clear protective finish and a dark wood base. We added river rock pulls to the cabinet drawers, and selected a white bowl sink and coordinating toilet. The contractor also framed in the existing mirror to match the dark pine trim we carried from the rest of the cabin's interior throughout the bathroom.  

An entry way connects the upstairs and downstairs (added onto the cabin in the late 1990's) to the middle level (the original portion of the cabin built in the 1980's). Moving downward from the upstairs level, Andi and I sheet-rocked the alcove above the stairway previously plagued with faded sun-spots. Once again, the white sheetrock helped break up the monotony of all the blond-colored knotty pine wood. We also replaced the cut-out tree railing detail with black metal beams and extended the stairway railing so it could accommodate a baby gate. Previously there were two steps before the railing began which made the stairway somewhat unsafe and unable to accommodate a baby gate.

Stairway - BEFORE  

 Stairyway - AFTER

In the entry way between the stairway and the middle-level, we sheet-rocked the main wall and painted it Benjamin Moore White Dove to match the upstairs, replaced the front door and large closet doors, and continued the dark bamboo flooring from the upstairs level.

Entryway - BEFORE

Entryway - AFTER

The middle-level is the largest pass-through area of the cabin with a door to the attached garage on one side of the room and a patio door to the backyard on the other side. The kids' bedrooms and a wet bar are also located here.

Middle-Level - BEFORE (June 2013)

We painted the middle-level cabinets the same color as the upstairs kitchen (Benjamin Moore Newburg Green) and updated the laminate countertops to granite over the summer of 2014. We also removed the existing carpet and had the concrete floor beneath stained a bronze color, hoping it'd stand well to wet feet to and from the lake and foot traffic from the garage entrance.

Middle-Level (September 2014)

Except, Andi and I secretly hated the stained floor. The concrete didn't absorb sound, so noises made upstairs echoed right into the children's bedrooms on this level. The floor was easy to clean and didn't show much dirt, but it looked like dirt half the time. So while under construction in other parts of the cabin, we decided to complete this room the way we wanted it. The bamboo wood flooring placed upstairs and in the entry way wasn't a suitable option since the middle-level meets wet and soiled feet from the lake and the attached garage, so Andi and I selected a wood grain porcelain tile for the flooring in this room. Its gray color compliments the dark bamboo flooring elsewhere and is easy to maintain.

The cabinet builder who created the upstairs bathroom vanity was also hired to install custom wood storage cabinets in the largest corner of the middle-level. We use this room like a mud-room as we most often access the cabin through the garage entrance, and now's there a place for each family member to store coats, hats, mittens, shoes and bags in an organized way. We also added a bench next to the garage entrance for cabin guests to sit and remove their shoes upon arrival and replaced the middle-level trim with the same dark wood as other parts of the cabin.        

Middle-Level - AFTER

This concludes our cabin's remodeling projects ... for now! Andi and I have plans to update the basement level, backyard deck and outdoor siding in the future, but for now are beyond thrilled with the results of the upstairs and middle-level renovations.

Christmas in Nebraska 2014

Mid-December, Andi, the kids and I flew to Nebraska to celebrate Christmas with my side of the family. It was a quick weekend trip -- in Thursday / out Sunday -- with never enough time to see everyone I'd like to see when we're back, but a fun trip nonetheless. Traveling as a family of four this trip was a piece of cake compared to all those flights home in 2014 when I flew by myself with the kids.

We celebrated our family's Christmas that Friday. This was the first year my siblings and I decided not to exchange gifts with one another, so that felt a bit strange not buying for everyone. Instead, we collectively decided to focus our attention on the kids and it proved to be exciting as ever watching them open their gifts with much excitement.

Four of the six grandkids (minus my sister's boys): Brooke (7), Neeley (2), Aden (1) and Tory (3)

I scored matching winter pajamas for the girls at Carter's on clearance last year, and we all had the most difficult time telling Tory and Neeley apart from one another as they whizzed around the room opening presents in a furry. Sure, they don't look much alike, but they're exactly the same size.

My brother Adam and his girlfriend Carley

Aden was very excited about opening (and swashing) presents. Hope there wasn't anything breakable in this one!

Neeley opening gifts ...

... and Tory Girl, too. It's so fun to watch the kids open gifts when they're old enough to grasp the concept of ripping open the paper and squealing with excitement over whatever's inside the box.

Dress up and princess crowns were a big hit this year. Both Tory and Neeley received the same set of Melissa and Doug crowns and everyone got in on the action of wearing one as they opened gifts.

Brookie received an America Girl doll from my parents and to say she was excited is an understatement. :)

Tuckered out at the end of the night after opening gifts for hours ...

My parents ordered pizza and bread sticks for dinner, and my mom bought a cake to celebrate Andi's birthday the following day (Saturday). The artwork on the cake was a replica of Andi's camera which I thought was very cute and creative of my mom.

---

The next day, Andi and I took Tory and my niece Neeley to visit my great-grandma in the nursing home. She was so excited to see us, and especially happy to see Tory. Tory, on the other hand, was a little nervous about the unfamiliar surroundings. Andi secretly bribed her with a treat to snap a picture with Grandma. After we left, we piled in the car and Tory said in a matter-of-fact voice, "Where my treat?" That kid doesn't miss a beat.

After the kids were in bed that night, Andi and I scooted away for a birthday drink in my parents small town. It was a bit surreal going to the bars in the town I grew up in, but never was old enough to legally drink. Andi and I walked around in the quaint little downtown, and it was actually kind of fun. One of the restaurants had a gigantic real Christmas tree indoors, and it was truly spectacular. (That's the front door to the left of the tree for comparison). I don't know how they got the big tree set up indoors, and can you imagine all the needles everywhere as they haul it out of there?

 
So, a quick and fun holiday trip home! Not sure when we'll be back to visit our family in Nebraska again, so it's always difficult to leave on that note. I'm thankful in any case we had the chance to celebrate the holidays with my family.  

2014

Happy New Year!

A million things to blog about, but first: a reflection of the past year. Who doesn't love a good blog meme? (Here's 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013):

1. What did you do in 2014 that you'd never done before?


Fed, clothed and generally kept two children alive. Maybe it doesn't seem like a noteworthy achievement but, whoo boy, it was all-encompassing. (The tiny, broken hours of sleep I continue to clock may be to blame). Adapted ways to raise a child with a food allergy. Visited a new state (Kentucky), traveled internationally with the kids for the first time (Mexico) and completed several airline flights within the U.S. by myself with the kids. Our family took up ice fishing. We remodeled a home (or, more specifically, our lake cabin). I celebrated my 33rd birthday and Andi and I celebrated our fifth year of marriage and ninth year together as a couple. 

2. Did you keep your new year's resolutions, and will you make more for next year?


I strived to be the best parent I could be, which I feel like I achieved.

I deem 2015 as the Year of Me. I want to take better care of myself, learn photography and devote more energy and focus to my relationship with Andi. 

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

Yes! Tis the season of babies in this point of life. New mama friends: Krista to Kate (January), Laura to Lily (March), Val to Lucy (April), Melissa to Vance (November), Katie to Kallie (November) and Jodi to Ben (November).

I feel like I was right there with these ladies since Aden was born close to the end of 2013. I spent a good chunk of 2014 in the beautiful chaos of parenting a tiny baby.

4. Did anyone close to you die?

No one in my immediate family, thankfully. An beloved uncle of my dad's passed away this past fall. 

5. What countries did you visit?


Andi, Tory, Aden and I, together with his mom, Janie, took a trip to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico in March.  

6. What would you like to have in 2015 that you didn't have in 2014?


Still wishing for a child children who sleep through the night on a consistent basis. The topic of sleep is like beating a dead horse at this point, so I'll just leave it at that.

In 2015, I'm planning to take better care of myself; to make me a priority again. 

7. What dates from 2014 will be etched upon your memory, and why?

July 31, 2014 - Andi and I celebrated five years of marriage
October 1, 2014 - the day my good friend, Lindsey and her family moved away :(
November 19, 2014 - Aden's first birthday (a child's first birthday is always the most memorable)

8. What was your biggest achievement of this year?


Raising some really great kids. At Age 3, Tory is intelligent, funny, sassy and affectionate and Aden is adorably cute and inquisitive at 13 months old. (She gets more adjectives because she's got some years under her belt). I have to believe a big reason they're growing into the wonderful people they are is because of me (as well as Andi, but I'm with them nearly 24/7). I'm trying my very best to raise smart, compassionate and well-rounded children and (I think) succeeding thus far. 

9. What's your biggest failure?

My biggest failure this year was trying (and not always achieving) to have it all. Life with small, dependent children is exhausting; it takes a toll on personal growth, mental and physical health and important relationships. There is simply not enough time or energy left at the end of the day to accomplish it all. Sometimes I feel like I'm failing Andi by not devoting enough focus to our relationship, or failing myself by letting some of my own aspirations fall by the wayside. And yet, other times I feel like I'm totally rocking this little life of mine. So, even though I aspire to do better, I don't feel like I'm completely falling short.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?

Nothing major.

11. What was the best thing you bought?

Andi and I bought my SUV after the lease was over. We also remodeled our lake cabin which was probably our biggest expense, and favorite "purchase." 

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?

I'm very proud of my husband and his continued effort to better our life by growing his company.

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?

This is so ridiculous, but I joined my area's neighborhood garage sale Facebook page a few months ago -- I've considered selling some old clothes, kids stuff, etc. -- and am appalled to see the way people complain, nag, and beg on that page. And, it's also incredibly interesting to see what people post for sale. It's like a daily train wreck and I can't stop watching.

14. Where did most of your money go?

More of the same -- mortgages, the cabin, vehicles, trips to Nebraska, our children, taxes. 

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?

The lake cabin. We love that place so, so much and chomped at the bit for the better part of each week with the anticipation of going there on the weekends.  

16. What song(s) will always remind you of 2014?
It's nursery rhyme central in our house these days, ever since Tory learned how to sing songs (around age 2 1/2 or 3). The classics (Itsy Bitsy Spider, ABC's) and some of my childhood favorites (Baby Baluga, How Much Is That Doggie In The Window) are on repeat all day, every day. 

17. Compared to this time last year, are you: 

a) happier or sadder? So incredibly happy. 

b) thinner or fatter? Thinner. Yay for being back to my pre-pregnancy weight! 

c) richer or poorer?
 Richer. 

18. What do you wish you'd done more of?

Travel. Sure, we took plenty of trips to Nebraska and enjoyed a fabulous vacation in Mexico and Kentucky ... but nothing quite compares to the rush of discovering a new place in the world. Wishing for more adventures in 2015. 

19. What do you wish you'd done less of?


Spending time on my iPhone when I should've been engaged with my kids. Browsing social media or texting back and forth with friends is a mental release during my days of non-stop parenting, and I feel guilty for having my nose buried downward when I really should be present in our moments of play time, meals, etc. 

20. How did you spend Christmas?


We hosted Andi's parents and sister at our house for Christmas.  

21. Did you fall in love with 2014?

I did - with Aden. Most of his first year of life happened in 2014 and I spent the months discovering his sweet personality and dying over that adorably infectious smile.

22. What was your favorite TV program?

I didn't watch many television shows in 2014, but I did binge on episodes of Revenge when Andi was traveling and I wasn't too exhausted to collapse into bed as soon as the kids were asleep.

23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?

No -- this is such a horrible question.

24. What was the best book you read?


Do you ever read a new book and find yourself daydreaming you were still engulfed in the one you just finished? That's me these days -- wishing I was still reading One Plus One by Jojo Moyes. I can't stop thinking about that book, I loved it so much. 

25. What was your greatest musical discovery?


The Saturday Morning Coffee Pandora station.

26. What did you want and get?

New holiday dishes for Christmas from my in-laws -- those dishes seriously made me so happy all December long. 

27. What did you want and not get?


A new bag. I've been eyeing this monogrammed Madewell Transport Tote for months.

28. What was your favorite film of 2014?

Frozen. I think it might be the only movie I watched in 2014.  

29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?

I turned 33 in 2014. And, I can't remember how we celebrated it ... [scans blog archives]. Oh, yes, I remember now ... Andi rented a hotel room and we hung out there for the evening with some treasured peace and quiet (and wine and room service, of course). 

30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?


More family time (never enough time in the day!), but I have to say 2014 was a really great year. 

31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept of 2014?

Like Stella Got Her Groove Back. Once I returned to my pre-pregnancy weight, I signed up for Stitch Fix and loved having beautiful clothes to wear that made me feel really good about myself. I can't say enough positive things about that service. Love it! 

32. What kept you sane?

Our lake cabin. Coffee. WINE.

33. What political issue stirred you the most?

????

34. Who did you miss?


I missed my Nebraska family and friends, and my good friend Lindsey who moved to Kentucky.

35. Who was the best new person you met?

I made some great friends in 2014 including fellow moms in Tory's ECFE class, and a girl Andi knew in high school whom I connected with on Instagram. 

36. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2014.

I'd sum 2014 up as the year of low expectations. I let go of wanting everything (and every person) in my life to fall into place exactly as I see it to be, and it really served me this past year. My feelings were hurt less; I deemed more daily successes and I was happier with the outcomes of my actions and others. To the tune of one of the most popular songs in 2014 ... "Let It Go!"

37. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.