Visit from Memere and Aunt Stacy

This post is about 3 weeks overdue, but going on a trip usually throws most people off, so now to get back on track! The last weekend of April, my sister and my grandmother flew in from California to see the new baby Kaya. It was unfortunately too short of a visit being only a weekend, but we definitely will take what we can get! I was also gone all day Saturday for Meghan's wedding that I didn't even think about the pictures being taken! Kaya was passed around and mainly held by Memere :-) I'm glad that we got to see them and look forward to hopefully seeing both of them again in June for Dad's big 60th bash! Here are a few more shots of the visit.

Mother's Day 2008

Well, as most of you know, I was a bad mother this year and went off to a Mexican isle for Mother's Day. Emaline stayed at home with her Nana and Pepere and went to brunch with Aunty Stephy, Uncle Adham and Kaya. They had a really good breakfast and great experience with my tired little girl and a new baby! After Uncle Adham gave Emaline her chocolate strawberries, I think that was it.

Next year, I think we'll stay home and all have brunch together...

Did I forget to mention the bathroom was done?

We finally got everything done in our master bath and it is now being used! There are some touch ups I need to do on the trim, but that's really a minor thing. Josh doesn't seem to think so, but I won't let him paint still. Again, I'm so thankful to Brian and his dad for putting in the hard labor and doing a great job. I really love my new bathroom. Installing the towel rack almost got Josh and I divorced, but not to worry he solved all our problems and hung it strong and sturdy. The same goes for the toilet paper holder. Apparently, I took my stupid pill that morning cause I was having a hell of a time getting things to go right. Well, alls well that ends well...at least I feel like we're living in the 21st century.

"Dead Island"

We ventured to Isla Mujeres, Mexico this past week for my friend Cassie Green's wedding. It was a much needed vacation and good time spent with friends (mainly my girls!). As for the name of this post, I think Josh got his Spanish confused and was calling the island "dead island". When I promptly corrected him telling him it was "women island", he just said to me, "I like my interpretation better". Soooo...we spent an awesome 5 days together on "dead island". The wedding was at the hotel Cabanas Maria del Mar on North beach and it was nice and small and intimate. We didn't have to go very far for anything, which is always good in my book. Our first night there we went to a lovely dinner hosted by the Stephens clan, then Friday was the wedding and Saturday night we had another great dinner hosted by Cassie's mom, Darlene. Thanks to all of them for such great hospitality! Then on Saturday we stayed at the beach by the hotel and Sunday ventured down to the other end of the island with Liz and Jimmy to Garrafon, the local natural reef park. The have snorkeling, scuba, zip lines, kayaking, trails, etc. It was really a fantastic day and we even got a work out swimming in the choppy waves to look at little fish! (It nearly took Liz out for the day...) Here are a few pictures of our good times. Thanks to Liz, Jimmy, Meghan and Jake for making a very memorable weekend. Hanks, friends.

Bathroom Revisited

Okay people, you thought I was just going to let it go, didn't you? Well, Josh and I had some free time this afternoon (thanks Grandma Audrey) and I started the first coat in the bathroom. I unfortunately was called into work today, so we got down to business! I edged everything in, not so sure how well the coverage is, but hey that's my problem, right? Ugh. Then as I got Emaline ready to go to a birthday party and myself ready for work I asked Josh to simply roll paint on the walls. He made a great effort, but really he isn't allowed to paint anymore. In a word: drips. He rolls way too much paint onto the roller, bless his little heart. I know he was just trying to get it done quickly. So I told him to quit for the day and I would finish tomorrow. I hope this picture accurately captures the color (Herb Cornucopia, hey, I don't come up with the names...), I had to use every freaking setting on the camera to get it....but, it doesn't matter what you people think anyways--I LOVE IT! I think it is really all going to come together once the paint has all dried and I get some "flair" all up in there.

P.S. Josh is the greatest for helping my dad move his shed. Apparently it was interesting trying to get the fully assembled monster shed to the other side of the yard. Now the construction on my parents' pool can begin. Did I ever tell you I love my husband?? He's super. Now, in 3-4 weeks time Emaline and I will be basking in the loveliness that is a private pool...oh yeah, Nana and Pepere will be there too.

The Winter-Norman Wedding Extravaganza

We have all survived the marital union of Meghan Winter and Jason Norman this past weekend. Thankfully, Josh and I both got to spend some time together and attend this thing as an actual couple! Hermann, MO was really a fantastic location and luckily it was such a beautiful day for a wedding. The wedding started at St. George Church in town at 2pm and then the reception followed immediately afterwards at The Hermannof Festhalle. What a great venue, the atmosphere was so welcoming and everyone was ready for a great time. We walked in to find frosted beer mugs as the seating cards and from there you were ushered directly to the bar...It was different too because we were sampling the local beers and wines that the Hermannof Winery makes on-site. While we were finding our seats, a little German man in lederhosen was welcoming us with his accordion. It was classic. Then followed a really nice dinner and cake, and following that a whole lotta dancing thanks to the band, Powerhouse (I think that's what they were called). All in all, it was a great night and no crazy shenanigans were had, everyone was just happy to be together. Thanks to the Winters for putting on such a great time!

Emaline and Kaya: the Mischief Begins

Stephani decided to make an appearance at Casa de Thomas to get out of the house and see how Miss Kaya likes the car. So far, so good. She is really so laid back and actually quite vocal already! When Kaya was in her papasan chair, Emaline kept looking at her. I asked her, "Do you want to hold Kaya?" and immediately her little arms flew out and she was already trying to unfasten the baby out of the chair. I really didn't expect her to want to hold her, but she couldn't wait. She did a good job and she held on to her really tight, which is good. Almost too tight, she was squeezing her like one of her toys! It was really cute though and I foresee lots of shenanigans with these two involved. It's science.

We Love the Spring Weather!

Thankfully the weather has turned warmer and Emaline can get out and run around. Last week she got to play with the hose at Nana and Pepere's house and "water" the trees. It pretty much turned into Emaline watering herself. Other than that, believe it or not, we haven't done much in the way of exciting stuff! Josh and I have actually been pretty busy working (mostly him) and I find it easier to garden and clean the yard with Emaline vs. trying to paint our bathroom while she is awake. So...our master bath is still unfinished. I know I'm notorious for not finishing things, but I really need one good day to get it in. We are getting ready for a wedding this weekend (overnight in Hermann, MO--woo hoo!) and 2 weeks exactly from today Josh and I are going to Isla Mujeres, Mexico for Cassie Green's wedding. I am looking forward to some beach time for sure.

In the meantime, enjoy some fun pictures of my outdoorsy girl.

Lt. Dan is such a good dog.

The Hard Stuff is Done

Take a look at that fancy bathroom!! I am so pleased with the way this has turned out and knew that if I looked long enough for what I wanted, I would find it. Brian and his Dad did a really great job and I truly believe it was money well spent. Everything is functioning and ready to be used, but now it is my turn to splash on some coats of paint and decorate. Hopefully what I see in my head will turn out really well. I'm thinking of putting this towel rack in and getting a shower caddie and/or storage for the bathroom in general. Wish me luck! Here are a couple more pics of the shower tile and door.

P.S. If anyone is interested in having your bathroom or kitchen remodeled or just looked out, please let me know and I can get you in touch with Brian!

Phase III: Vanity and Crown Molding

I must say that I love Brian for being so quick in his work! On Monday he came over and put the grout in the floor and finished up the wainscoting. Today him and his dad came back to finish up patching the walls, the crown molding, putting in the light and making sure the toilet was in and working. I am already so pleased with the way this is turning out. As some of you know, anything is better than what used to be in there! So I went to Lowe's this evening and bought our paint, a new mirror (the one I bought was too tall and was going to be wedged in between the back splash and the light fixture) and a shower door. Since there weren't very many choices for wall mirrors, I went with a very simple 36W X 30L framed espresso wood one. I went with a Kohler shower door since there was only one in a polished nickel finish and it looks like this. Tomorrow Brian's dad will be back to grout the wall tile and put in the shower doors and that should be that from them! Then onto my work of painting and cleaning...wish me luck. Here are some more pictures of their progress: