Now We're Cookin!

We couldn't be happier now that we're done. Finally. We've been done for one week now and I have been having fun hanging up all the pictures and rearranging. I must say that I feel like I haven't cleaned thoroughly in quite awhile and now that sheetrock dust was all over everything I had to clean from stem to stern. Plus company is comin...can hardly wait :)

Kitchen Remodel

Look at the pretty fresh flowers Mom bought us in the midst of all the clutter. I thought it looked unusual to see them on a table filled to the max, but we are enjoying them.

It's taken almost two weeks now to unload and clean out all the cabinets. Mom helped me one day (with her scarf on no, less) to get so much accomplished. In doing so, I have found so many items I'm not using anymore since we are "Empty Nesters". This is the first time I have unloaded everything since moving in here 27 years ago. Granted, I changed the shelf paper but we have accumulated so much. I did not use the import/export rule which Bernie instituted which when you buy something you get rid of something.

We sold our cabinets on Craig's List right away as well as certain other items we no longer use. I love Craig's List! Now the basement is loaded with all our kitchen items and we feel like we're camping in our own home. No cabinets, kitchen sink, countertops or dishwasher. Our coffee maker is on top of the stove and the microwave is in the dining room.

I can hardly wait for the new paint and cabinets. They should arrive, Lord willing, once we are home from Bernie's graduation next week. Once they are installed, we will have the countertops put in. This is the first step in our makeover for our Kale Family Reunion which will be happening in June/July when everyone will be home!! We are SO EXCITED!!! Four kids and their spouses, 7 grandkids (plus one on the way!!) plus us makes 17!!! I wonder how we will all fit into the motorhome???


Bernie spent all day removi

He is Risen...He is Risen Indeed!! Happy Easter

We have had a fun family filled weekend from coloring the eggs, to a delicious brunch
after church with family, to another dinner/dessert afternoon complete with an outdoor egg hunt at Hartley's house. It's almost never snow-free so everyone dresses accordingly. The kids all had a great time and Debbie does a good job hiding the eggs for each age group so no one gets left out. Gretchen and Phil forgot Elli's boots so Phil carried her around to all the eggs.

Learning to Ride a Two Wheeler

We baked sugar cookies, made homemade pizza and played outside when it was nice. Emme started to ride her bicycle without training wheels while we were there. We cheered and went round and round with her. Bernie helped her by using a broomstick to help her balance. It was so good for us to be a part of this learning experience for Emme. There's no stopping her now!

Claire is quite the Character, She'll be 1 year old on Saturday

http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifShe's been walking since ten months and on Saturday, March 21at, she'll be one year old. Happy Birthday Claire. She is such an easy-going baby, doesn't cry much, except when being man-handled by her sister, and crinkles her nose when she smiles. She is sheer delight and I'm so happy we got to know her more this past week.

One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish,Blue Fish

Emme and Levi began swimming lessons twice a week with a wonderful certified instructor who has a large enclosed pool separate from her home on her property. They loved every moment of it and I could see improvement already at the end of the second class. The beautiful thing was that the instructor called after the first lesson and asked Bridgette to switch the kids to the earlier class to ease up on the later class and they were the only ones who opted for it. Now Emme and Levi have personal instruction because no on eelse signed up!!! God is so good! They look forward to their lessons and will continue to progress, I'm certain.

Snowbirds in the First Step...

This is the property we put earnest money down on in Idaho City, 45 minutes away from Boise. Bernie had looked at it one year ago and really liked it, came home and told me about it but somehow I didn't understand just how beautiful it really was. It is 4.11 acres and has a creek, two ponds, AND borders Idaho Public Use lands, which means no one can build behind you. You can ride 4-wheelers, dirt bikes, and hunt. We are the first people to buy in this new subdivision and have hopes of building there within the next two years. It has the exact recipe we were looking for, a creek, a little more than just a buliding lot, beautiful trees, view of the mountains, and FOUR seasons. You can see there is snow there so maybe we won't really be snowbirds but 4-season birds.