Update - Floating Shelves

The floating shelves are complete!  I guess they are not "floating" because they have brackets, but we will just call them that.
Dad sanded and stained 100 year old barn wood from the Lintvedt farm.  Mom and I purchased the brackets.  Chad measured and drilled into the tile backsplash (yikes!) and wall.  Plem helped with the measuring.  The kids did their part and ran crazy through the house while I chased and yelled at them to sit down and not touch ANYTHING. 

It was truly a family project.

Take a look:

A before picture:

And the after picture:

Birthday Celebration!

Ella had a busy birthday!  Take a look!
Her day began with Starbucks hot chocolate and a bacon gouda egg sandwich - yum!

Followed by a quick "nuggle" with her beloved fluffy and blankie.

Then it was time to get dressed for preschool.. and be silly!

She had to make sure her new skirt twirled properly.

She got  a surprise from Daddy - a lion and flowers! 

Cupcakes for preschool!

Ella and her best buddy Ellie!



Olivia lost her tooth at school - which is a BIG deal.  She has been waiting for this.  If you lose your tooth at school, you get sent to the nurses office and she gives you a tooth necklace to keep your tooth in.  So exciting!



Taking a quick nap after preschool.  Birthdays are exhausting!



 Dinner at Outback Steakhouse!

So glad Grandpa Plem is able to celebrate with us!

The employees brought Ella an oreo hot fudge sundae.  They told her she could share or eat it all herself.  It was her choice.  She decided to share.  So sweet!

Everybody singing Happy Birthday!



Back at home for present time!  Ella got lots of little Disney princesses, La La Loopsies, Barbies and dress up clothes.  Everything a 5 year old needs:) 

Here is her birthday cake.  She knew exactly what she wanted.  A cake that looked like a present.  Pink frosting.  Pink and purple polka dots and an orange bow.

Make a wish!





Silly Papa!

Staying up late to play with the new toys!



Somebody dressed up the Prince (Grandpa Plem, did you do that?!)

Getting ready for bed...

Happy 5th Birthday Ella!  We love you so much!!



Happy 5th Birthday Ella!

Today, Ella turns 5!
My baby. 
And I am sad.  I cannot believe my little girl is getting so big!

Here is a little interview I did with her last night to document her cute thoughts.  Enjoy:)

What is your favorite color:  pink
What is your favorite food:  chicken
What is your favorite animal:  my stuffed animal puppy named Lizabella
What is you favorite or movie:  ANY fairy movie
Who is your favorite princess:  Jasmine
What do you want to be when you grow up:  A teenager that plays with Barbies. 
(Me: That is not a job.  Ella:  Yes it is.  I will clean them up.)
My Mommy is:  pretty
My Daddy is:  handsome
Caleb is:  handsome too!
Olivia is:  pretty too!  What about me,  I am pretty!
Favorite thing to do:  Play with my Barbies.
Are you excited about Kindergarten:  No.  They do hard work like reading and I can't read.

Don't forget to check back tomorrow to see how we celebrated her birthday!

Lincoln Logs

Caleb is obsessed with lincoln logs lately.  Instead of ordering them on Amazon or running to my beloved Target, Chad decided to MAKE THEM! 

Say what? 
You can make lincoln logs? 
Yes, you can.

Chad started with four 1x6 boards that were 8 feet long.  Using the Shopsmith that Dad moved from Wisconsin (so glad it was moved to our garage.  Thanks, Dad!), they cut and sanded and routed (is that a word?) and viola - we now have MANY lincoln logs and Caleb is a happy boy.

Take a look:

See that pretty window frame?  It is now in Mom and Dad's new house.  Only it looks much better now!  Don't worry, I will show you soon :)

 One happy boy!

Can you see that clean gameroom?  Nice job kids...  The Christmas tree has since been put away.  In February.

Day 2 of lincoln logging:

Hard to believe that this:

Turned into this:

Good job Chad!  And thanks for helping Dad!!!