NEW CARPET, PAINT - it's like a new house!!!

Well, after a painstaking 2 months of putting our dog down, researching carpet pricing and getting an interior decorator to help us pull all our colors together - we finally headed into the homestretch 10 days ago by painting EVERY room on our main floor including the 2-story entryway and upstairs hallway (except the kitchen - that was already done professionally and is probably my favorite room in the house), and the carpet was installed today! I'm so happy to be almost done. We still have some trim painting to do (the doors mainly, I already painted the entryway wainscotting, staircase & spindles, and baseboards), and we'll have some accessorizing to do as a lot of our old picture frames and such don't go with the new colors we've painted. We also sold our living room furniture that you see in the pictures - so we'll be looking for furniture sometime in the future that will fit better and be more usable, but overall - I'm really happy to be practically finished!

I hope you enjoy the pictures - I'm not trying to be boastful at all, but I'm really proud at how it's all turning out . . . and have I mentioned that I LOVE THE SMELL OF NEW CARPET!!! Ahhhhhh, miss my doggie - God rest his soul, but I don't miss the smell. If you want to come visit in person - feel free, but leave your shoes at the entrance! haha!!!

Also, if you live in the Indy area and need carpet, I HIGHLY RECOMMEND CUSTOM FLOORS OF CARMEL. Phenomenal pricing, first class installation and installers - NOT ONE NICK OR SCRATCH on any of my new painted walls! Call and ask for Jerry Urick - I think they'll beat anyone's price (and we got several quotes)!!!

If you need someone to paint - DON'T CALL ME!!! I WON'T DO IT EVER AGAIN!!! ;o)

Our installers were AMAZING!!! Here they are putting down our new 8 lb. pad - it's a lovely green don't ya think?

Still working hard in the dining room and living room.

I think I would've hated this part - the stairs did NOT look fun to carpet!

The finished family room - I think the kids liked it!!!

Finished with furniture! Did I mention that these guys from Custom Floors moved all the furniture for us too, AND put it all back EXACTLY the way it was - I was totally impressed!

Finished Dining Room and Living Room.

Office carpet and color! Shawn LOVES his new office color (same as the family room color) - not the greatest picture as we have to re-wire all the computer stuff, but we'll get it done soon.

The entryway - definitely needs some accessories, but we're working on that too.

4th of July Fun

Our 4th of July was a little more low-key than in years past! We weren't able to financially support our big annual 4th of July party (because my husband is a closet pyro and loves to blow stuff up). But we still had a great weekend and good times anyway - despite the horrible rain on the actual 4th! Luckily the rain held off literally until the celebration in our community park was over!

Friday night we hung out with our good friends (the Combs') for a cookout then headed to another friends house for her 40th birthday party, then came back for more happy hour fun at our neighbor's house. On the 4th, we got up early to start the day off with the annual Party in the Park. Our neighborhood homeowners association puts on a 4th of July party for all the residents. We had a parade, a llama course (Yes, I said LLAMA), food, games, prizes and good music/entertainment by Grasshopper Entertainment (that's a plug for you babe)! It was actually sweet of him to do it as he had to DJ a wedding downtown later in the afternoon. While he was gone at the wedding, I decided to paint some more (I'll post pictures of that later this week when it's all done) since it was raining non-stop! We went down to our neighbor's on the cul-de-sac later that evening as the men were insistent on putting up some "firepower" despite the rainy conditions! Sunday was a veg day, and another neighbor of ours wanted Shawn to set off his fireworks for him, so they came over and we had a very miniature show-version of our usual event which you can see by clicking here

All in all, a very good weekend!!!

Blake wasn't too sure about checking out the llama...

Shawn with his hatchback outdoor mini-equipment Grasshopper Entertainment set-up! Works well when rain is expected - makes for a quick & easy pack-up!

The parade gets started - I got to ride in my cop friend's car so I got some good shots of the kids riding their decorated bikes around the neighborhood.

Grant and Blake - right up front and behind the firetruck!

Games and prizes - yep, that's what it's all about!!!

Grant did all the games at least 2 or 3 times! His goodie bag was loaded!

Sunday night sparkler action.

Fun on the pond...

It was a beautiful evening last night. We had just gotten home from the Fishers Freedom Festival and were hanging out on the back deck when Shawn got a wild hair and decided to put his kayak in our pond. Now granted, he's done this before - but technically you're not "allowed" to do stuff like this. Sometimes, you just have to defy the rules I guess... ;o)

"Ummmm, is it okay to paddle here?"
Paddling up to our neighbors house - also the former president of our homeowners association!!!
Blake was dying to go, so we dug out his lifevest and hoisted him in!
As you can see, he absolutely loved it!
Grant was next to follow suit - at first he was like "okay, but dad - don't go past Mrs. Pam's house" (our next door neighbor), but once he got going, they ended going all the way around the pond, and he didn't want to stop.
Here's to the FKA - Future Kayakers of America!

Tour de Cure for Diabetes

Today we went down to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway to watch Shawn ride in the Tour de Cure. Shawn rode the longest amount of miles possible for this ride - 100 MILES, which all took place going round and round the famous racetrack.

Several months ago, Shawn decided to go after this disease I live with by helping raise money in hopes that someday, we find a cure for Diabetes. I've had Type 1 Diabetes (insulin-dependent, I wear an insulin pump 24/7) for over 16 years. Soooo, in my honor, he did one bang up job at reaching out to friends and family and helping the American Diabetes Association raise funds to find a cure. It's something I really hope I see in my lifetime - a cure would be a dream come true!!!

Thanks to all of you who supported both Shawn and myself - I'll have to check the totals, but between personal sponsors and the Chick-fil-A Spirit Night we had at the restaurant in Noblesville, I think the total was around $1,500! AWESOME!!!

Below are some pics from today's Tour de Cure.

The boys in the "Winner's Circle" at the track.

Here comes Shawn (front right) - I think he had gone about 60 miles or so when we took this picture.

Daddy stopped off to refill his water bottles, so we got a cute shot of him with his boys.

We also got a friendly observer to take a picture of all of us.

The boys all gave daddy a big hug before heading back out to finish up his 100 miles.

While daddy rode, we went out to the Fun Zone where the boys got their faces painted: Blake got the Spiderman face, Grant got the Indy Colts mask, and Evan opted for the cool snake!

Here are the boys making a present for daddy for Father's Day (gotta love Blake's safety glasses huh?) I can't tell you what it is yet, but they were pretty excited about making them.

Hanging out on the wall by the finish line (and famous bricks).

This is daddy signaling to us that he has 2 laps to go (5 miles), and the boys were waving their checkered flags and ringing the cowbells as he (and other riders) went by.

Daddy crossing the famous brick finish line!!!

The long held tradition of kissing the bricks rings true even for cyclists! Evan joined in too!

The victory celebration of holding his bike over his head!

They had a huge banner they encouraged all the riders to sign...

What Shawn wrote on the banner for me.

Random Shots

I haven't been taking pictures too much lately - mainly b/c my camera sucks! But here are a few random pics from the past month. They're mostly of Blake, but I'm sure that will change now that all the boys are home for the summer break! The first 2 are from Blake's preschool promotion program - one more year of preschool and then he'll be a kindergartner! The last few are funny b/c the red couches we have in our family room have become the "sleep" couches. Blake naps on them several times a week (and occassionally his brothers join him.

Hope you all have a wonderful summer - I'm sure I'll have pool/splash park/outdoor pics up the weather heats up!

Blake getting ready to sing with his class.

Blake getting his congrats from his teacher Mrs. Debbie.

Isn't my wig cool?

This is a pic I'll probably never get again! We were going to drop the boys off to my parents for Memorial Day Weekend so Shawn and I could work the Indy 500 race, and all 3 of them were sacked out in the car on the ride to Cincinnati.

Now for a few of the "red couch sleep series". This is Evan and Blake.

Blake with the comfy brown blanket we all love.

Blake with his loved blue blankie.Even superheroes need a little "red couch" rest.

Tanner: January 20, 1996 - May 11, 2009

Today we had to say goodbye to our dog of 13 1/2 years. It was an easy yet extremely hard decision. He has been suffering for quite some time now, but I still hate that "we" had to decide when his time was up - it's not fair. He was our first "baby", and watching him die was difficult. I don't regret that we stayed with him as he went, and although it was quick and painless for him, it was still one of the hardest things we've ever had to do.

I, in particular, had not become fond of cleaning up his messes the past year or two. I think part of me felt it would be easier to just be done with it all - but I miss him, and feel bad to have been the one pushing this decision. I guess I'll live with the guilt for awhile, but I truly believe we made the best decision for HIM. He won't be in pain from his arthritus, he won't have to throw up or constantly urinate in our house, maybe he can hear now that his soul is in Heaven, and jump around with little effort. He was the best dog anyone could ever ask for, and he can never be replaced.

Tanner, thanks for giving us the best years of your life. We'll treasure the memories you gave us and you'll forever be in our hearts!

Anniversary and Muffins with Mom

Today I went to Blake's preschool for their annual "Muffins With Mom". Last week they had Donuts With Dad (and honestly, I would've much preferred donuts over muffins, but hey - beggars can't be choosers)! Anyway, it was really cute - especially all the things Blake made for me.

Last week - April 29th to be exact, Shawn and I celebrated our 14th wedding anniversary. We went to this place downtown called Fogo De Chao. Not very impressed with the restaurant, and it kinda stunk that Shawn was sick, but we still had a nice time. It's always good to reflect upon your marriage - and a night out without kids is always a bonus no matter what the occasion! ;o)

My baby and me.

Luckily they had donuts too (smart teachers they are!) Blake was loving the powdered donuts!
The cute table setup - a placemat Blake made along with a key chaing that says mom, a flowered pen, a notepad and a book of cute sayings from all the kids.

Shawn and I last week before dinner on our anniversary. Poor guy, you can tell he doesn't feel well, but he was insistent on taking me out.

Our anniversary dessert from Fogo's