Child Labor

One of the perks to having lots of kids....

New Venture

The girls and I are gonna start a new adventure next week! We are taking the bows to the Farmer's Market!! We have added another item as well. Here is a hint....

Drywall Begins!

The basement is completely insulated and ready to go. The drywaller (also a faithful patient of Mikes for 5 years) has arrived and is getting started!


I took this picture before all the stuff was out and when Mike had a little bit left to do, but you get the idea :) This picture is taken from standing in the "media room" looking at the doorways to Mailee's room, bathroom and hallway. (l-r)

This week I am trying to decide on bathroom tiles, counter, flooring. I have discovered I don't do well with so many choices! How do I narrow it down?? Here are some of my current thoughts on the matter...

I like this tile on the floor look. Not sure how white grout would look overtime...Also, we are going to tile the entire shower area so this may be too much teeny tile...or it may look great...??

This is just completely fabulous! I love the white subway tiles, love the dark cabinet (ours will bot be a piece of furniture like this, but I am speaking of the color)..I thought I wanted a marble counter top but the stone guy said it is not durable and that was enough for me to change my mind. He did show me a grayish granite that could give the same feel.

Here's another "feel" that I like, looks like grey subway tiles and marble floor and counter top.

This is a chunk that he showed me that is a great price and more of a neutral look like the rest of our house...

BUT...

I am afraid it may end up looking like this...YUCK!


What's a girl to do?

Summertime Veggies!

Check out what I got at the Farmer's Market! YUM! Gotta love all the amazing fruits and vegetables available in the Okanagan in the summer!

Today In Banmanland...

...Everyone got some baby love!!!

Semi Boring Basement Update

The pictures below do not in any way do justice to the amount of work that has been done in the basement. Why is it that the most time consuming and intricate jobs are ones that can take forever and look like nothing has changed? Next week the drywall goes in and then the place will really begin to take shape!

Insulation looks like cotton candy. I had to have a discussion with the kids about the importance of staying far away from this enticing stuff.

these wires = Mike's media room.

Mike's Dad has been so helpful. I feel at ease knowing he is overseeing this whole project. What a blessing!! Here Dad is giving Mike a list of supplies to purchase. Can you see the bathtub in the background? It is in at this point but no plumbing yet....

there's the plumbing! Yay! We have water in the basement.

I will update with photos once the drywall is up and we have actual walls and rooms!

On a more inspirational, girly note, the girls and I are having a great time dreaming and planning for their bedrooms. Mikayla even wrote a blog post on her blog all about it!

Cait's Hands

Our little girl is starting to discover her hands. This is the first item she has been able to hold and play with a little bit. The girls and I were all right there enjoying every minute of her self discovery!

Cait is sitting in her chair with her baby doll. The night Mikayla was born, my Mom left the hospital and returned with a soft pink baby doll because she was so thrilled it was a girl and HAD to get her a dolly. Everyone of my girls has a soft pink baby doll tucked away in their baby boxes. I think I'll carry that tradition along with my grandchildren one day. What special items have your kids received?

Getting Cuter Everyday!

The Many Faces Of Caitlyn

Here are a few of Cait's cute faces taken over the last week. She is changing daily!

Watermelon Munchers

The girls were wearing their watermelon outfits today and Caleb was in a cooperative mood so I got him in his green and red too. They were thrilled when I handed them each a HUGE slice of watermelon. I guess I have never given it to them like that before. They had a blast chomping down the juicy melon and I had fun watching them!

A tasty first bite...

...even for Caitlyn! Oops, I guess she has had her first "big people food" now!!

Rubber Ducky Fun

Cait just enjoyed her first bath in the big tub! She loved it. All 5 of us were staring at her the whole time. She brings us so much amusement!

Westport 09

I can take no credit for any of the photos from our family trip to Westport. I forgot my camera! Can you believe it? Luckily my sister Terri took lots of great ones. Here's a sneek peek at the whole fam.