cheers. jokes. and fun

Best way to end the year [sorta]
Classic Joking Tuesday!

What do you call a big pile of Cats??
Meowtain

Who do you call when you need your pants hemmed by tomorrow??
Taylor Swift

and last but not least and my PERSONAL FAVORITE THING TO SAY ON NYE

Welp see ya next year!!! :) :) :)

thirteen to fourteen

tomorrow we will all be ringing in the New Year

2014!

Time for a little reflecting

This year has sure been a year to remember

as our Pastor spoke in church on Sunday he challenge us to reflect on the year and what we have been through... 

The year of Fill in the blank...[my blank the 7314 demo!]

either we were blessed or had it been a trial- he asked.  matter what how did you handle it?

I thought that was a powerful question to think reflect about

I think the thing that shaped, controlled, consumed us a lot this year was our house project, I do not mean that in a bad way it just took/takes A LOT of time

I can think of way more good than bad when it comes to this year

and that is a HUGE blessing and for that I am so thankful 

This past year of change and unknown or anticipation

of long days moving rocks at the house-repeatably, discussions about door styles :), exciting days of seeing progress and paint colors

but the house wasnt the only thing that shaped this year

we were blessed with health 

family that is always giving of their time and love and energy

small things like nephew bunny kisses or snowshoeing on a Sunday snowy morning

Christmas light wonderlands

girls night on Thursday or a long weekend in Traverse city celebrating a bride to be!

to long boat rides on a hot day

trips to exciting sporting events

the list could go on and on

But

how do we deal with the good and how do we deal with the bad in the coming year

We had a sermons series this year that was called selfless

The main thing that I learned that I took away from it all was:

I love them, more than I love me

simple to say and read

but very challenging to do

so that is my challenge for 2014

Or my New Years resolution 

wow take a breath...a bit longer than usual 

so here are some fun pictures for you from moving in: round one!

Two nephews that are little buddys when they are together

and two wonderful grammys that help

Entertainment for one..PBS

Then we put him to work!

and again

all the WONDERFUL help!

and the cutest two workers ;-)

Cheers to 2014

merry and bright

Christmas, such a beautiful Christmas day

and a fun day celebrating with family

Started the day running by this

lovely out, just lovely

Then celebrated with the family

Traditional baked french toast

stockings

Ben was a big helper this year, he delivered presents and helped each of us open them

the super wonderful parents

The hubby

so so pretty outside

The extended family arrived

LOTS OF FOOD

cousin picture time

a few more pics by the tree

Merry Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night

the finish line could

maybe hopefully be in sight

#the7314demo

here is the progress

1/2 bath counters and light

bedroom paint and floor

bathroom lights, paint and counters

kitchen back splash and knobs

and lights

the front door is painted on the inside

the outside boards are on and porch is done and the lights are up

 lots of little things to finish up but we are close, close enough to start thinking the word

MOVE!!! aka packing

can you put wax

paper in the oven!?!?

according to google they say no

according to the Paters baking banket...yes

and well it still turned out...taste tested and approved by me

first official dutch dessert. DONE

and while letting the dough chill we walked

through Ada and the lights

it was wonderful wonderland

and then it was time for the best Holiday tradition

HOME ALONE

I made my family disappear

get your ugly yellow

Kevin!

Love love love

always have and always will love this movie 

two more sleeps til Christmas!

wintry fun

Christmas Date night

walking around the Christmas tree

Ice and snow mix
Church was canceled, so we went snowshoeing

meijer fun
the joys of shopping with everyone else
50
five zero minute
wait
but got the goods to make food for the week
bring on the cooking and baking

THREE MORE SLEEPS TIL CHRISTMAS

stretchy pants needed!?!

that is what I feel may happen if I ate every treat this week

btw work, home and other kind and sharing people and gifts

there has been cookies, nuts, chocolate, doughnut, doughnuts, chocolates...on and on

and the famous KRINGLE!!!

and then it was Christmas baking at my moms

we kept it low key this year, just two things [so far]
douger approved

oh how I love to bake//cook with the madre!

6 more sleeps til Christmas

kinda sorta

beginning to look a lot like Christmas

my childhood tree

presents next to the tv

and the stocking are hung

our small form of merriment this season

and I love it!

Merry Merry Christmas to all

last and first

Last bridal shower for B

fun time, good food

next up wedding weekend!

First time going to Journey 2 Bethlehem with the Lipinski Family

Lots of fun at my Aunt Pat's house

We had presents

Food

and time with their cat meow meow 

Ben LOVED it

so did Jackson

had to take a pic by the lake.  It was just so pretty

and then it was off to Bethlehem

Great Saturday

10 more day until Christmas

wet paint

and tile work being done

looking more and more like there is progress

like real get excited about this progress

clap hands for paint colors progress

Progress in our bathroom

small bathroom in the back

my splash of color

downstairs counter top in

back hallway tile and paint

more paint

and hard to really tell, but the siding is going up!

progress has been made, just a little more to go :)