Grandparents, halloween and snow!

Well we just got done having a wonderful visit from Mom and Dad Kelley, or I guess I should start calling them Grandma and Grandpa (since my mom taught Gage to call them that). I can tell he misses them already! They came for the weekend and we kept busy playing games and going to the dog park and it had snowed right before they came so things were really fall'ish. Gage likedto eat the snow at first till his hands went numb and then it was all tears and sadness. We also went to a trunk or treat with mom and dad and I can't imagine anything cooler to a toddler's mind. Halloween just became his favorite holiday I think. At least till Christmas comes along. I loved watching Gage interact with his Grandparents. Seriously, what parent wouldn't want someone around who loves and is as proud of your kid as you are. He's such a friendly loving little guy that he instantly loved them both and couldn't get enough hugs and loves. Plus it was my dad's first visit here so we got to show him around the house we are very proud of. I'm just glad our bug we all had before they came didn't hit my mom super hard and my dad missed it all together. Such luck! I was totally sick and miserable for the whole day!

Gage also dabbled in some more trick or treating tonight and I'm impressed he caught on the the spirit as much as he did. By the time we'd cleaned house on the neighborhood homes he was a natural. Often charming old ladies to give him three or four pieces of candy. My favorite comment of the night was from one lady who asked "now, do mom and dad like gummies more or chocolate" and I do hope to get some of that candy but man Gage has been crazy about candy lately. And we didn't have enough kids come to the door so we've got a whole fish bowl of candy left. Oh well. I wish my mom and dad could have stayed till tonight but I'm sure they were happy to be back in their own beds, especially with my mom being sick. All in all it was a wonderful weekend!

New Floor!

Well I have to admit that this last project sure was intense but I think it's given us our best return yet. As any of you would know, dining rooms and carpets weren't ever meant to go together with a toddler in the mix. So we decided to put down a laminate click and lock floor to replace the carpet in the dining room, the vinyl in the kitchen and more carpet in the living room and laundry room. The living room opens into the back yard and I was tired of yelling at Gage and our dog every time they tracked something on it. So, ever ambitious of us, we decided to use Cody's inheritance money from a great Aunt to take on the project. And I've got to say it turned out great. It took two full weekends and a lot of Seseme Street episodes for Gage but it's all over with just a couple of finishing touches to go. Our house had some really outdated and trashed base board so we decided to replace them everywhere except the bedrooms. That portion of the project is ongoing but it helps make our house feel high end. We got the higher quality laminate that had the padding already on the back and we got it for a great deal too! 600 sq ft for only $900. Another $200 in trim and the grand total was just $1,100. And I'm so happy with the results. It got rid of so many of my problems and gives the house some real character. And let me say right now that Cody is amazing. I always grew up loving to do home projects with my dad and I love being able to do it with Cody. I'm probably about as effective as I was back then but I just love to see things come together. And might I add that a huge part of the demolition was all me. I pulled the 3 layers of vinyl off the kitchen floor and that stuff does not come up willingly. The hardest part was trying to get stuff done around Gage. He was a trooper but a horrible annoyance nonetheless. So that's another home project from the Browers! Enjoy!
Before and After!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!