renos!

Our big reno project is underway! We didn't plan it... but it happened. The first time we looked at this house we were shocked when we found this upstairs sunroom. kind of a hidden gem. Whenever people look at our house they think this room is so neat. However after moving in we discovered it wasn't a room we could use much, freezing in the winter, boiling in the summer. Well this past October John decided to rip down the paneling that was installed to see if he could find out the problem. It wasn't insulated well, windows were terrible.... Well one thing led to another and we decided to totally renovate the room. This way we can use it all year long! (we use it as a sitting room/t.v. room- and potentially down the road it could be a bedroom if we need the space). 

So far this is what has been done:

we found a brick wall beneath the paneling! I was so excited. I plan on giving it a good wash down and will use it as an accent wall! 

insulation down, just before we ripped out the big window!

(this window always felt unsafe as it felt like you would go flying through it!)

window is gone, that is one huge hole!

from the outside:

new windows are in! We decided to build a wall 2 feet up to feel safer. 

since we built the window up we had to fill that space with new siding. I decided to undergo the task myself hoping I'd remember after working for years with my dad!

Siding is going up! We decided to do vertical (our window guy gave us the idea) since we knew we wouldn't match the old horizontal. I think it turned out pretty good. At first it was a bit freaky since it was quite high up and its been awhile since I've been on a ladder so high. But it was so fun! I had to convince John that I was going to do it and I did! I felt like a blast from the past. I loved it. Hope you approve dad!

It was a bit cool out, John made me wear his old work coveralls. I was pretty cool in them with my hammer holder. I had such fun... I think John was secretly jealous that I got to do it. I insisted it was my thing to do. I enjoyed it so much I might have to re side our garage one day! :)

Owen was my helper, he would bring me the siding. He so wanted to be up at the top nailing it in but that was way to high for him. He loves to help! Thumbs up. 

Inside the drywall is up and its mudded. Next is sanding, priming, painting, and trim. We bought new carpet which I'm so excited about, no more green shag! Its at the floor place until we are ready for it. Then decorating! It will be a cozy sitting room. 

I'll post more pictures when we are done!

december

Owen is 5!

He is a loving son and older brother. Always willing to help out and give you a hug and tell you he loves you. He LOVES Kindergarten and is doing very well. He love to draw, colour and read books. His favourite thing is building lego blocks and he has quite the imagination and makes very impressive creations on his own! He adores his sisters, especially baby Kate who he loves to talk to and play with. He is a big momma's boy and although he challenges me daily he is my little man and I am crazy about him, especially when he flashes me that sweet sweet smile. 

He turned 5 on December 17th. He had a great day at school, it was the Christmas assembly and last day of school for his class. its a small school and the little kids get to go around the different classrooms and get little gifts from all the teachers. he was spoiled. It was a busy day of school and dinner with Grandpa and Grandma W. 

(don't look at my not so great icing job on the cake. I normally like to do a unique cake and I had baked two batches of brownies that I decorated as Christmas trees for his class/teachers. I planned on using the second batch for us instead of a cake but they didn't turn out the best.... I guess that is what happens when you bake at supper time and 3 kids are bugging you. You only put in half the amount of sugar.... oops. so I whipped this cake together and iced it seconds before this picture.... he didn't notice :)

The next day we headed to the Rafthon to spend time with my family! 

Got home Saturday night and decided to open presents with the kiddos.

Kate's first Christmas!

8 months

Winter is here

Last Saturday was our Winter Parade! We've always gone to the Woodstock one so this was our first annual Ingersoll parade and it was really well done for a small town. We love our small town! We live close to the main strip so we could walk there in a few minutes. John was working so the kids and I went to watch. Kate just sat in the stroller for an hour watching! She loves to be outside. 

The kids had fun waving at everyone and they got lots of candy!

Sunday morning the kids woke up to a layer of snow! they were so excited!

Emma danced around the house saying "its wintertime!"

Owen is excited cause snow means his birthday is coming!

Of course Monday we had to build a snowman. It was perfect packing snow!

Our snow is all melted now, the kids are sad but I assured them there will be more!

seven months!

and during her picture session she decided to pull herself up on her knees...

can't stop there, up up up she went!

so proud of herself!

Emma did it the day she turned 7 months too, crazy girls

although Owen still has them beat- he was six months

Guess Daddy better lower the crib tonight!

and of course Emma wanted in on the action

Thanksgiving

It was a beautiful Thanksgiving weekend! Feeling very blessed and thankful!

Dad and Mom Douma came and spent some time with us. We loved having them!!

Hope you had a blessed Thanksgiving!

half a year!

Our Kate is 6 months! she is such a joy to us, always full of smiles and giggles. 

our neighbour nicely gave us this swing since her kids had outgrown it, Kate loves it!

Dressed for church. (thanks Aunt Erin!)

We love this cooler fall weather and are going for many walks.

wooden playpen

I've been on the search for a wooden playpen. 

Since my two oldest never did well in a pack n' play I was hoping a wooden playpen would be a better option as they can see out the sides. 

There are always a lot of little toys hanging around and so its probably best in Kate's best interest to be confined to a playpen. 

But wooden playpens are hard to find. 

After being informed the Dutch store in Norwich imports them I called to find out a price. I was willing to spend a price but not close to $500 as quoted. This is my third child after all. Maybe I should have made the investment earlier....

Then one was posted on the mom swap I'm a part of. $50 for a Dutch playpen! by time I saw the ad I think I was 20th in line. Frustrated and bummed... 

Then my dad and mom came to the rescue. They were out shopping at a antique place and found two old wooden playpens. Perfect seeing as my sister Carrie wanted one too. Score! Dad took pictures and showed us and we both liked them so he went back to go get them for us. I painted it white to freshen it up

Huge deal! Thanks dad you are the best!

Old wooden playpen : $20

Foam: $13

White paint: $0 as I always have a can of white paint in stock

Making his daughter so happy: priceless!

Kate likes it too!

Thanks Grandpa!!