Major. Progress.

What started as a small project when we moved in ("We'll just paint the hallway and put up some pictures...") turned into, like most, much bigger. Basically, we had discovered that the previous owners had painted over wallpaper. And if you have seen anything like it, it looked terrible. So we scraped & scraped & cursed & yelled & sanded & patched & sanded & patched (repeat, repeat, repeat). Oh, and our walls are plaster. Can you say, holy dust ball? A year (or so) later, we finally did it! We primed, painted, and decorated. Although, there are some minor things (like the wall cover/black light switches, installing stair moldings/sanding stairs, & painting the doors), we have done it!

Here is some "before" action for some context.

Progress

More Progress

And here are the lovely-happily-ever-afters.

(side note: looking at replacing or spray painting this guy..)

Yay, us!!

The boys.

You know when you're an aunt when you just can't get enough of seeing & playing with your little nephews. Well, this was the case on Thanksgiving. My two nephews are just my absolute favorite. They both have such different personalities & mannerisms...it's a wonder that they are related! I could watch them all day (I mean, they could be picking their noses and you'd still hear, "awww..how cute!")

This little man is Wade. Full of interest & wonder. Once the camera came out, he was all about trying out the buttons and gears (he probably knows more about it than I do).

And this little man is Noah. Mini-Bubba. He's a bundle of energy and all about trying something first and then figuring it out later. And those eyes? Swoon.

They both decided to put on a little show for us. I think this piece was titled, "let's-scream-at-the-top-of-our-lungs-and-watch-the-adults-laugh-at-how-cute-we-are.

"You still there Aunt Kristin? 'Cause I just did something cute again."

This was our cue to clap and say "Yayyy!" (Like we didn't do that the whole time they were playing.)

Do they have to grow up? Because this age is my favorite ever...

Rehearsal Dinner

The Spina's threw a sweet rehearsal dinner for the bride & groom before the big day. The day was filled with amazing food, family, friends, and toasts that even made grown men cry. It was lovely to be part of such a heartwarming event.

We began with the all important practice portion by the beautiful river.











Here you see Judge Robert Herman who also married Karen & Audie as well as Ryan & myself. A pretty special way to unite the families.

























Afterwards, we got to mingle between the families.




















It was time to eat and boy, did we have a spread to choose from.

We all sat together and enjoyed Nan's freshly picked flowers.

Our toasts followed, complete with Spina homemade limoncello.

Check out Nan's reaction...

...yet it doesn't compare to Phil's pure happiness.

Some serious talk...

...followed by a big bite of Carmen & David's ice cream.

A wonderful evening spent by the river with much anticipation for what the next day would bring. Here's to the new couple & their families.