Front Fence Restoration

From the very first moment that we laid eyes on this sweet old farmhouse of ours we couldn't get over how much picket fence there was. Not only was the entire backyard fenced in, but the front yard had picket fence as well (along with a gate and an arbor). In the ten years that we have lived here this front fence has taken quite a beating each winter thanks to the snowplows. Last autumn, as we were preparing the house for the winter we decided to remove the rather broken front fence. It was in need of some serious repairs and we didn't want to have anything else happen to it. Keeping the pickets became even more important after we learned that each picket, when bought new, is $3.00 a piece. As we have roughly 300 pickets for the front fence alone there was no way we could justify buying new (especially as these really were in fine condition overall)!  From each section he would need to remove the pickets, remove the nails and then sand each one before he could even think about painting them (the painting was clearly the easy part of this project). He spent many days just prying nails out of the pickets and then just as many days sanding. Thankfully due to the lovely weather that we've had these last several weekends he was able to get much of the painting done outside, and was finally able to assemble the first section of fence. It went up today and looks simply incredible! We cannot wait to see how gorgeous it looks when this project is completely finished! Now, the big question is, does he make a small gate or not... xo

Saturday

 The girls and I spent the morning painting the fence. We began by touching up the gate and the area near it. It took a beating during the long, cold winter we had and needed a fresh coat in certain spots. For those who don't know, the girls and I started painting this massive amount of picket fence last September. We logged 24 hours before deciding to be done for the season. 

 Once the touching up of the driveway side was complete we moved over to the area that we didn't get to last autumn. We managed to get four of the fence sections done today (and have like ten more to go before heading over to the neighbors yard to paint that side of fence). Hopefully, it will only take about twelve hours to finish up this project. The sections we got painted today look so much better! It truly is amazing what a fresh coat of paint can do! 

 After we finished the sections we had set out to paint today, Grace brought me to see this most unusual butterfly! We had never seen one like it before and were very impressed with how interested she (we decided it's a she) was in our deck and the area around it. She stayed for quite awhile and even seemed to pose for me to take some pictures of her. A quick Google search let us know that she is a Red Spotted Purple. 

Amazing weather, some more time logged on a much looked forward to project and a beautiful butterfly sure made for a fabulous start to our weekend! xo

{This Moment}

{This Moment} - A Soule Mama Friday ritual. A single  photo - no words- capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. If you are inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments section for all to find and see. We wish you a wonderful weekend! xo

Eight Is Great!

Yesterday began as all birthdays in our family do. The birthday crown was placed on the birthday girl's head and then they made a bee line to see the new additions to the birthday ring. 

After the new items on the ring were discovered (Grandpa made the watermelon, the flamingo, the sunflower and the eight this year) it was time for the four of us to gather in the living room around the birthday tent to open family gifts. 

First up Emma's gifts. She was so proud of what she chose for Grace.

A new Lego Pets set. 

And the much dreamed about Littlest Pet Shop whale. 

I love how completely these two sisters know each other. It truly is a joy to behold! 

Next up, some gifts from her Papa and I. 

A perfect card for one of our fairy loving girls.

The Fairy Queen card game!

And our favorite version of Heidi. 

And now for the final gift of the morning. 

The look on Grace's face truly says it all! This is an item that she had been longing for. Everywhere we went it seemed that she would find these magical balls. Inside it looks as if there is a glass tree in there and for our nature loving girl this could not have been any more perfect a gift! 

After our family gathering there was just enough time for some breakfast and to get the house ready for her friend gathering. Originally, we were all going to meet at the lake in town, but the less than stellar weather prevented that from happening so instead we had the gathering at our house. 

Once again we had each family sit with Grace as she opened the gift that they brought for her. 

Afterward it was time to sing and have some snacks. 

Once everyone had selected what they wanted for snack we gathered in the living room to watch Frozen. What could be better than to celebrate your eighth trip around the sun than by watching your favorite movie with your friends? 

Beaded bubble wands and bubble solution thank-you gifts for our guests. 

The kids loved this treat but I think the mamas may have loved them even more! 

Grace's beautiful gift has found the perfect home in our home. 

 Once David arrived home from work we gathered around the table for the birthday ring ceremony. This is truly a favorite family tradition and I think it becomes even more beloved with each passing year. 

 Two down...

Half way there!

Officially eight! 

And no celebration would be complete without a lovely and very yummy cake! This year Grace chose a peaches and cream cake. We used the Martha Stewart yellow cake recipe and tweaked the frosting recipe that's included (changing it from raspberries to peaches). It turned out beautifully, though next time I think I'd include peaches only in the cream that was going between the layers. It was really hard to frost the outside with the diced peaches in the cream!

The entire day was simply lovely and the perfect way to celebrate another trip around the sun for our sweet Grace! We can't wait to see what's in store for your ninth trip around the sun, darling girl! We're sure it will be full of all sorts of wonderful experiences and amazing adventures! xoxo

Happy Birthday, Grace Elizabeth!

Eight years ago (which, by the way, doesn't feel possible) this sweet girl arrived earthside. We had walked a long road to becoming parents, and on a warm summer night our dream finally became a reality. From that very first moment it was as if the world finally made complete sense. 

Thank you, dear Grace, for being our first born. Thank you for bringing the world your sweetness and light, your love and kindess. We are so very blessed to be your mama and papa, and have enjoyed seeing the world through your eyes during these past eight years! 

Happy birthday, Grace Elizabeth! May this next trip around the sun be your best yet, and may all your wishes and dreams come true! We love you to the moon and stars and back (and always will)! xoxo

Happy Birthday, David!

Happy birthday, David! We are so sad that we didn't really get to celebrate with you today (since it was so jam packed)! We'll have to make up for it this weekend! Regardless, we hope that you had a truly wonderful day and that your next trip around the sun is even better than the last! Thank you so much for all you do and for all that you are! We are so glad that you are the blue in our house of pink! xoxoxo 

Morning, Noon And Night

Morning, noon and night....three little peeks into our day. 

Morning, 11:15am

Noon, 2:30pm.

Night, 6:45pm.
(Making birthday cards for their Papa's birthday tomorrow). 

If you would like to play along leave a link in the comments section so I can stop by for a visit. xo