Basement: Before and Afters!

So, I just came up with this brilliant idea.  How about I take "before" and "after" pictures and put them side by side for a wow-factor comparison.  Brilliant right?  (I know it's been done and I should have thought of that long before now, but we've been a little busy)  I had forgotten how crazy far our basement has come.  For those of you who have gone on this journey with us, y'all know how exciting this is!  Enjoy!

I am sitting here in awe of what Tyler and his family have accomplished.  

We are so very blessed.

Completion is Just Around the Corner!

I figured updates of the basement were in order.  I love everything about it and am so proud to show it off!  Most of the pictures are of the bathroom, because I cannot get enough of it.  By far my favorite and our most needed room in the basement.

Gabe has been doing his magic in our bathroom.  He is just about finished with the tile above our shower.  Love how it is turning out!

Tyler did an awesome job putting up the mirror, lights, and bathroom accessories.  Starting to become so real.  We have a usable toilet and sink!

This is another angle because I just love it so much.  U probably can't tell that I am super excited to have a second bathroom which happens to be gorgeous...

Down below is my laundry room.  I was not sure about the color on the floor, but I LOVE it.  Notice our white trim which makes the colors in there pop!  So excited to have a sink in MY laundry room. (I said "my" because I am the only one who uses it)

Tyler has become a very talented painter.  He has painted all the trim and doors.  This is the entry way into the laundry room and a view of our steps.

This will, one day soon, be our living area for our family of 6 and we cannot wait to move our furniture down there and start making memories.  

So much to look forward to and we cannot wait for completion!

Fun with Cousins.

The boys were very excited to have some playmates today!  My nieces Ava, Blakeley, and Karsyn came over for a few hours to play.  

The girls are definately different than my boys.  The first thing they saw were the coloring books, crayons, and markers I had on my table.  They colored nicely for quite a while and I felt it was an awesome opportunity to get my girl fix.  I asked Karsyn if I could braid her hair while she colored and she was sweetly willing.  Then Blakeley saw my spectacular work and wanted the same.  

(Oooh, I guess if I have to :D)  I just can't help myself.  

Zak and Ava took turns playing computer games.  It's hard to peel Zak off of the computer at times, so it was good for him to have to share.  Zak turned on some dance moves from Curious George.  They were getting pretty into it and doing a great job!

Thaddeus, Malachi, Blakeley, and Karsyn went upstairs and played with toys.  They play really well together, those four, and I just had to take a picture.

This picture cracks me up.  The picture is really bright, but Malachi looks like he has a really long comb over and the AC blew it straight up!  Ha ha.  

He sure is a happy baby!  He was super excited to see his cousins when he woke up from his nap :)

We went outside to play on this beautiful, sunny, cool day.  The neighbor kids were riding their electric Jeep and tractor around and the kids were peeking to see if they were coming our way.  So exciting ;)

My neighbor saw me walking back to my house with 6 kids in tow (Jake was at his friends house) and she said something about running a preschool and being super woman.  Not quite.  (but she can think that if she wants)  They really are all good listeners (usually) and the experience is pretty pleasant.

We look forward to spending time with cousins again very soon!  

(Just noticed that Zak is trying on one of the girl's pink shoes.... Oh my)