emerald city diaries – Page 71 – family + adventures + the emerald city

project house {week 14}

{flooring down in the entryway // which stain {um, left!} // dry wall patching in living room // entryway & front door}

{stairwell windows taped off for primer & paint // entryway primed // new fir on the stair landings}

{master bath shower bench tiled // second stair landing}

{stair riser // new hardwood floor acclimating // downstairs hallway // tankless water heater & boiler system – who knew we were getting a spaceship in the house?}

{wet saw & subway tile for the master bath // marble down on the master bath floor // new exterior paint!}

work is coming along, slowly but surely. lots of big things happening now with flooring being the main focus these days. salvaged fir floor was put in the entryway which will need to be sanded & stained (hopefully to match the existing main level floor). tiling has started downstairs in the master bath & shower with the kids’ bath floor to follow (soon, I hope!). the new floor is acclimating in the house now for the remainder of the basement – engineered hardwood due to radiant heat in the floor (new wood floor is subject to warping with radiant heat apparently).

I have probably said this before, but man the finish work takes for. ever. it seems like we are so close, yet so. far. away.

my {long holiday} weekend in pictures.

{me & the bump celebrating the 4th of july.}

{the land of nod store is under construction & has a pretty fun entryway right now.}

{sadie’s new dog door at the house. pics to come later in the week of the rest of the house!}

{we attended a very patriotic party to celebrate america’s birthday.}

{the annual 4th of july parade in our neighborhood. such a treat!}

{we stopped by to see andy & hailey, & sadie loved sleeping in the grass lake-side.}

{sadie insisted on sitting right in between us during a small fireworks show. she didn’t last long before she wanted to be inside away from the noise. poor kid.}

{we went to ikea to pick up a few things for the house. #nesting}

{& amazingly it all fit in our car! sadie & I shared a seat in the back, but it worked. thank goodness we have a hatchback!}

{I finally found some time to finish up a sewing project for baby lower that I started some time ago. hope to share pics soon.}

{due to the many residual fireworks over the weekend, sadie got to sleep in bed with us. she hated it, obviously.}

what an awesome weekend. can every weekend be a three-day weekend, seriously? we got to sleep in, see lots of friends & family, & check some things off the ole’ to-do list – doesn’t get much better than that. we were a bit disappointed in the weather this weekend {rain when it wasn’t actually forecasted} but it is definitely feeling like summer here in the emerald city. I am still in shock that we are already so far into july – slow down summer!

how was your weekend?

project baby {boise baby sprinkle}

{happy fourth of july!}

as I mentioned in this week’s bump update, my friends jen & beth threw me a baby sprinkle {a shower with a sprinkle theme} last weekend while we were in boise. they did an amazing job {especially considering they have a 3 week old & a 12 week old, respectively} & it was such a perfect way to celebrate baby lower with old friends & family. everyone that was there I have known for at least 10 years so it was really special to celebrate with this group of ladies. thank you so much jen & beth for the sprinkle!

there were lots of yummy desserts – all with sprinkles! – a fantastic drink bar – with lemonade, my fav – peonies, & these gorgeous paper garlands! plus, there were lots of mamas & daughters which makes me so happy.

{beth’s son henry & her mom // me & barbara // sprinkles!}

{my sister-in-law kelly & me // kaitlyn, me, & our bumps // kathy – jen’s mom, barbara, my mom, debbie – beth’s mom, & henry}

{barbara, my mom, kathy, & my aunt gail // the hostesses! // me & my sister anya}

{kaitlyn, julianne, & anya // debbie & julie // beth, vicky & julie}

{catching up! // julie, me, & our baby bumps! // jen, her youngest son graham, & kathy}

{the drink table // beth’s gorgeous living room // dessert table}

{a fearsome foursome – we’ve been friends since middle school! // vicky & my mom // a gorgeous paper garland // me & the bump}

{the ladies // opening gifts}

{oh baby clothes // cupcakes & peonies – doesn’t get much better! // loving on baby graham}

{sprinkles on cookies & donuts – yes please! // mint green moccasins from freshly picked – adore!}

thank you to my sister anya for taking all of the photos!

a huge thank you again for spoiling me with such a fabulous shower ladies!

my {long} weekend in pictures.

{on saturday afternoon we celebrated & remembered the life of my grandmother.}

{mmm, s’mores!}

{a fierce family board game commenced. aaron & I were victorious!}

{the bump & I got all dressed up for a baby shower on sunday! pics to come later in the week.}

{I love being at my parents’ house & catching up on all of my mom’s magazines!}

{dinner out at smoky mountain pizza – a local fav!}

{my parents’ dog bentley. love this guy. & he loves you when you have food!}

{so. many. donuts & cookies. we were sent home by the shower hostesses with lots of sprinkled & sugared goodies. an apparent test of self-control at 8 months pregnant.}

{sad to leave boise after such a quick trip!}

we spent the long weekend in boise to celebrate the life of my grandmother. it was an emotional time, but so, so good to see so many family & friends. we had a small family “service” at my parents’ cabin to remember & celebrate my grandmother. it was perfectly small & succinct – just how she would have wanted it to be.

I also had the pleasure of being “sprinkled” {baby sprinkled that is} by two of my best friends in celebration of baby lower. it was really great to see family & friends, & meet a few new babies that were in tow. I plan on sharing pics of the shower later in the week, so hold tight!

it was hard to spend so little time in boise before having to make the trip back to the real world, but it is nice that we have a short work week to look forward to. how was your weekend?

amanda’s baby brunch.

I had the pleasure of hosting a baby brunch last weekend to celebrate my good friend amanda & her baby boy! she requested a simple affair that was focused on quality time with girlfriends. after amanda chose steelhead diner {right at pike place market!} for the venue, the rest of the brunch came together really easily. amanda’s friend kelly acted as my co-host & we came up with this simple pinboard.

{the main focus of the décor was the table: a simple kraft paper runner with a few flower arrangements & succulents}

{a simple guess-how-much-candy-in-the-bowl game // a thumbprint guestbook that will be a keepsake for baby boy’s nursery}

{the table // wishes for baby // the cutest little succulents in pots that were sent home with each guest}

{more thumbprinting! // onesies with tiny clothespins hung as a bunting-type banner}

{me & amanda & our bumps // kelly & amanda}

details:

the kraft paper runner was a simple version of this one
the low flower arrangements were a combination of a whole foods bouquet & peonies.
the “instruction cards” were handmade with faux calligraphy & washi tape buntings
the thumbprint guestbook was made in illustrator {with a little trial & error}
the succulents & ceramic pots were from fred meyer
the glass candy dish was from michael’s

also see amanda’s brunch post here!

it was so great to celebrate with you amanda & I can’t wait to meet baby boy!

xo M

project house {week 12}

{sadie laying in dry wall dust // dry wall! // basement hallway // entryway // doorway to living room & front door // stairwell windows // ceiling patching in kitchen // doorway from living room to kitchen // salvaged hardwood to patch upstairs flooring // aaron in upstairs hallway}

{raised ceiling & attic access in upstairs hallway // sewer ejection pump in closet under stairs // stairwell // small ledge in stairwell // sadie’s built-in crate under stairs // basement hallway // art niche in master bedroom // kids’ bathroom // tray ceiling in master bedroom // bedroom window}

{ceiling in upstairs hallway // entryway & stairwell // stairwell & upper hallway // living room // kitchen ceiling}

{dry wall in the entryway // stairwell // upstairs hallway // stairwell // master bedroom & bath}

lots of progress has been made in the past few weeks – electrical & plumbing rough-in was completed & inspected, & dry wall has been installed. the exterior is also being prepped for a new paint job. {sidenote: we had to paint the new siding that went up on the house so instead of just painting it the same color as the rest of the house – tan – we decided to have the entire house painted. it seemed like a waste to pay someone to paint the new part of the house a color that I really didn’t like. why not pay a little more & have the whole thing a new color?}

as you would expect, the downstairs spaces seem much smaller now that the walls have been closed in. smaller, but still feels great! it is nice to see the rooms come to life, finally! next up is taping & mudding of the walls, & flooring {hardwood & tile}. we are meeting with our GC for a walk-thru at the end of the week & I think we are both really excited to chat about the work that is going on, ask lots of questions, & determine what the updated timeline is & what we can expect.

dry wall is up – thoughts?

my weekend in pictures.

{got to attend jaz’s dance recital on friday night. such a treat! great job kiddo!}

{I had the pleasure of hosting a baby brunch for amanda & baby boy sadlier at steelhead diner on saturday afternoon. more pics to come this week!}

{traffic was awful this weekend going to seattle & in the city. the 520 bridge was closed & streets all over the city were closed for the half and full marathon.}

{not usually a fast food eater but I did have to try a wendy’s frosty in a waffle cone. so good!}

{we got to hang out with jaz on saturday night while her parents went on date night. lots of games were played!}

{I bust out the iron only for special occasions. this occasion was maternity photos.}

{lots of hair products used by the gal at swink style bar while getting my hair done.}

{stopped by the house this weekend to see the progress & DRYWALL! pics to come later in the week.}

{sadie enjoying the new almost finished space in our basement.}

we had a very busy first-of-the-summer weekend but it was time well spent. we got to hang out with our friends jes, cale, & their daughter jaz {twice!} which is always a good time. I also got to co-host a brunch for my good friend amanda & it was so good to see her & get some girl time in. the setting wasn’t too shabby either – right in the heart of pike place market! I was able to stroll around the market ahead of time, buy some gorgeous flowers, & enjoy a delicious raspberry croissaint from le panier. we also did a maternity photoshoot this afternoon – all of us: aaron, me, sadie, & the bump! we were down at golden gardens beach park which was busy because the weather was so great. can’t wait to share these pics in a few weeks!

how was your weekend?

my weekend in pictures.

{cutting fabric is not my forte, but it needed to be done for an upcoming sewing project for baby lower.}

{aaron & I spent most of the day saturday sourcing finishes for the house – wood floors, tile, paint, light fixtures.}

{a bubble tea was much-needed after making a million decisions!}

{rainer cherries are in season & we have been enjoying. this was a double one – crazy!}

{baby’s first set of wheels! one of the only things for baby lower that we have put together.}

{oh trader joe’s. I went in for one thing & ended up with ingredients for strawberry shortcake!}

{dim sum lunch with friends on sunday. so delish!}

{choosing paint at benjamin moore.}

{I usually don’t like the I love mommy/daddy/etc. kids’ stuff, but I couldn’t resist this to give to aaron for his first father’s day!}

we had a really busy weekend, but super productive. things are moving right along with the house & it is exciting to be finally picking finishes for everything, plus a lot of things got checked of the big to-do list which is always a great feeling!

we were really low-key about celebrating father’s day today since it really doesn’t seem like we are parents. it is crazy to think about one year from now though & how we will be parents to an almost one year old!

happy father’s day to aaron, my dad, aaron’s dad, aaron’s grandfather, & all of the other dads out there. thanks for everything that you have done for us!

how was your weekend?

erin & colt got married.

last week we were in indiana {you can see highlights of our week here if you missed it} to see aaron’s family & also to attend erin & colt’s wedding!

colt & aaron {not to be confused with erin} went to high school together, & erin & I hit it off as soon as we met. they have both been really great friends for a lot of years & we were so, so honored to be invited to celebrate their big day.

along with being able to join in the wedding festivities, we also had a few other family ties to the big event. cari, aaron’s sister, sang all of the music at the wedding ceremony – processional, recessional – as well as the first dance song & a late night rendition of bobby mcgee which is her go-to karaoke song {um, she sounds exactly like janis!}. funnily enough erin heard cari sing crazy love during our wedding ceremony & asked cari to sing at her wedding during our reception; almost four years later she did! also, all of the antlers that were used in the wedding – to line the aisle & along the centers of each reception table – were courtesy of my big brother jason. they looked fantastic!

the wedding site was at colt’s parents’ house & it was perfect. the ceremony was out in front of the house & the reception took place in a huge tent out back. erin & colt thought of everything which you could see in all of the beautiful details. there was an old mantle & windows that stood in for a traditional altar, the reception tables were lined with antlers, fresh flowers, moss, & tall candlesticks. towards the end of the night we were entertained with a huge fireworks show!

without further adieu, the pics {since that is what you are really interested in, right?}.

{all dressed up! // the bride & me at the cocktail hour pre-ceremony // the ceremony set-up}

{the ceremony aisle // first kiss! // program stand}

{the ceremony site // our seats at the reception // the lounge area in the tent}

{pie bar in lieu of cake // the gorgeous reception set-up // first dance}

{the moms & bride watching the father of the bride’s toast // colt & his mom dancing // the tent all aglow}

{cari belting out bobby mcgee // the groom // erin singing baby got back with the band}

{the tables were even more gorgeous in candlelight // mo, cari, me & aaron // the bride & the bump}

{cari & mo // colt & erin having a good time // aaron getting’ down // group pic at the end of the party}

& if you didn’t get enough you can see all of aaron’s pictures of the wedding & reception here.

we had such. a. fun. time. it was one of those weddings where everyone had a great time & danced the night away. congratulations erin & colt!

xo M

project house {week 10}

I promised at the beginning of this renovation that I would transcribe our blueprints so that we could share them along with all of the updated pictures. I {slowly} learned how to use floorplanner.com to build our original house floor plans & our new floor plans.

{the original main floor}

{the original basement}

{the new main floor}

{the new basement}

as you can see, the main floor changed only in the office & entryway. we blew the walls out to open up the space for a big entry & set of internal stairs {we previously only had an external set of stairs & those have been filled in}. we are gaining two bedrooms, a full bath, a master suite, & a utility room – basically all of our living space will be moved downstairs & our current bedroom & bathroom will remain in tact for {out-of-town} visitors.

{front stairs are in // back deck is in}

{plumbing is nearly finished // electrical panel was moved to utility room}

{back deck stairs & new landing // our poor lawn was destroyed by building materials}

{master shower // small access for under the front steps}

{back deck & stairs // front of house}

the more intricate work of plumbing & electrical is being done & hopefully nearly finished. plus, there was so much work done to complete the front stairs & the back deck. {no more ladder at the front door!}

we met with our GC & architect to review the work so far & to discuss things like placement of electrical outlets, tile choices, paint choices, light fixture choices, & updates to the timeline. it seems a bit surreal but so amazing to see it come to life!

thoughts on the new stairs & deck?