Sunday, February 22, 2015

The finished rooms in the basement

It's been a long road, but the rooms in the basement are finally done!  The carpet was installed on Wednesday. It feels so good!  The bathroom has been done for a while now. 
Kenneth did everything himself, except for the mudding and the carpet installation, which we hired out.  His brothers helped with some of the framing, electrical work, and plumbing when they were visiting.  One friend from our ward came to help with some sheet-rocking.  (His height really came in handy when doing the ceiling!)
I helped with the painting, tiling, and picking everything out.  I was also all around go-fer. 
It was a long process, but Kenneth lives for projects like this. They really make him happy.  Too bad we finished them just in time to sell and not for any guests to stay in.  Any takers?  Anyone want to come in the next couple of months before we move? We have a room with a private bath awaiting you!

Studding work all done- ceiling sheet-rocked. 2 walls were cement and so those needed to be studded and insulated.

bathroom sheetrock done.  Shower installed.

Kenneth had to frame around the upstairs main plumbing line. Before it was covered the kids had fun climbing up it!

The closet

Insulating.  Almost ready for sheet-rock

Closet sheetrock done.

Sheetrock in the room done.

Another view.

Mudding done, starting to prime.

Interested kids look in at the progress.
 

It's done!

Bathroom and closet doors

Closet

Another View

Bathroom

Bathroom vanity- we didn't like the first light fixture of mirror we picked out.  I insisted Kenneth remove them and we found these.  We're pleased.

Another view

Friday, February 6, 2015

Arianna's Bithday Celebration

A couple of days after Arianna's birthday, we had 2 of our most favorite families over to celebrate with us.  Arianna has never really had a birthday party before- she actually wasn't interested in one before, so we wanted to let her have one if she wanted one.  She helped plan out the menu and chose what kind of cake she wanted, etc.  We had Pasta Rustica for dinner along with green salad and French bread.  The cake was actually a gluten free cake that I made for Grant's birthday a couple of years ago.  It is made with no flour- only cooked quinoa.  So delicious- you'd never guess quinoa was in there.  I frosted with my favorite not-too-sweet cream cheese frosting. 
The kids all had so much fun playing (since I was over an hour late having dinner ready!!!! Jeepers, Heidi!)  The food was great- if I do say so myself- and the company even better.  Arianna was delighted with her special cake, thanks to Grandma who gave us the kit to make it.  I, of course, really made it much simpler than the version Wilton wanted me to do, but it was well-received, nonetheless. 

Here are some pictures of the celebration:
Gathering for gift opening

Arianna got a musical jewelry box and some jewelry,  some stationary, and some Littlest Pet Shop animals.  She was delighted. 
Delighted with her new necklace and rings
Littlest Pet Shop!

Princess Arianna with her castle cake.  Oh wait, I think it's actually Mrs. Penguin's castle!

She loved it!!  I am not trying to grab her head!  Trying to get her hair out of her way so she can blow out the candles!
 We even face-timed Grandma Pilz again so she could see her blowing out the candles.  I am thankful for technology!