Sneak Preview

Things are about to get crazy in our house... once again.  We started tearing out floors last week and found a time capsule under the carpet.  From one layer to the next decades were revealed. We're about halfway done with all of the demo - anyone wanting a sore back, feel free to come by anytime this week.

The 90's - I'm so glad this carpet is gone... food + shaggy carpet = super gross.
Also, does the shag edge remind anyone else of the van from Dumb & Dumber?

The 80's - First layer gone and voila... a parquet floor.
Who thought shag carpet in the eating area would be better than this not-completely-unfortunate parquet?

The 70's - Second layer almost gone... revealing linoleum... one more to go - fingers crossed.
On an unrelated note, see the grapes on the counter? They're from our backyard and are almost perfect! Just a few more days in the sun!

 Yesterday we got the call that our material was in so we excitedly drove down to pick it up .  Maybe it was too much excitement that resulted in us dropping it on the way home. Luckily there was little damage, we were on a small, less-busy street and a group of guys from a nearby bar saw what happened and quickly helped us reload the truck.  One (drunk) guy helped while continually reminding us that oak is slick and we need to drive slow (along with sharing some expletives with the passing vehicles).  We were driving slowly, but apparently not slowly enough.  I spent the rest of the drive home uttering little prayers every time we stopped at a red light and had to get going again.  We made it home (avoiding all large hills and driving slowly) without any additional catastrophes.  Now it sits in the dining room, waiting to be installed in about 2 weeks.

Our soon-to-be new floors!

Countertops....

Well here's the first (long-time promised) post of projects at the house.  Last fall Jared and I got a little adventurous and decided to replace the kitchen countertops... by ourselves.  

When Jared first bought the house last April, the first thing he did was paint.... the walls in nearly and every room and the kitchen cabinets (he's not a big fan of white cabinets).  So I helped him pick some colors and after a little learning experience (translate: painting, peeling, sanding, re-painting)... the kitchen cabinets were done in a nice dark grey - I believe its called Seal by Martha Stewart at Home Depot.

It all started with the KSL classifieds and a drive up to Ogden.

Our future countertops - anyone recognize the material yet?

They're old bowling lanes from an alley in Ogden - now closed.

Sawing and sanding... and sawing and sanding.

Countertops installed and multiple coats of sealer applied.

Pre-backsplash

We now have the backsplash and it's nearly all installed.  We just need one more piece trimmed down.  We used 6" tall aluminum and had it brushed and powdercoated.  I need to take some better pictures once we finish the backsplash (and the walls have a new color too).

New Blog!!!

We started another blog to document our RV travels....

http://twoticketstobearadise.blogspot.com/

I know I still need to post about Cleveland, our house projects and Virginia... but all in time.

Costa Rica - The Honeymoon

Once we finally made it to Costa Rica (we were delayed 2 days due to weather in Atlanta) we headed to La Fortuna where we hoped to see Volcano Arenal.  Unfortunately for Jared (I'd seen it when I was in Costa Rica 3 years ago) it rained everyday we were there.  It was still warm, we were still able to go hiking to the waterfall, enjoy the hot springs and eat the best food at the Gingerbread House (thanks to Nick & Jenna's recommendation).

La Fortuna Waterfall

Next, we went down to Drake's Bay for the rest of the trip.  We took a flight down from San Jose, which ended up being our own private flight - it was a little 12 seater.  The airport down at Drake's Bay included one asphalt landing strip, one little "shack" with wooden benches, one counter for check-in and a restroom.  It was awesome! We had some fun adventures in Drake's Bay......

The airport at Drake's Bay

View from our cabin

Horseback riding in the jungle

 Our horses looked rather emaciated, but they made it the whole way.  Although Jared's horse dug in his heels  on the trip back when we didn't take the road down to his home.  He tried to brush Jared off against a fence and ended up dumping him off when the saddle slipped, which luckily didn't result in any serious injury.

Whip-tail "scorpion" on my face

Same whip-tail "scorpion" 

We took a night tour with "the bug lady" (an American lady who studied biology/entemology and now gives tours at night).  She LOVES insects and bug life - it was interesting and weird.  Below is a video of a trap-door spider, which was really amusing to see. Oh, and the insects above aren't really scorpions, they are only called that because of the similar body shape (or something like that).  So Mom, no worries - there was no risk of getting stung.  Jared & I were a little nervous at the start of the tour because both tour guides lectured us for wearing chacos instead of rubber boots.... rubber boots weren't on my list for the beach.  We were told that sandals are for sand - obviously they've never been hiking in Utah.  We were also told that we needed to be extra careful and watch our step during the tour.  Turns out we stayed on a cement path the entire time. Danger!

Beautiful beach where we ate lunch after snorkeling

Humpback Whales

Humpback Whales
momma with a couple babies

 We saw humpback whales, dolphins and a school of tuna fish on our boat rides to the island for snorkeling and around the bay on our way to Corcovado National Park.  We got to see some cool wildlife at Corcovado; unfortunately there were no jaguar sitings. 

Costa Rican food
this was some of the best "tipico" we had

Guess where we are this weekend.....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oZzgAjjuqZM

Jealous, I'm sure

Oh, so I got married....

So it's been over a year since I've updated my blog... but with good reason.  I met a cute boy... we started dating, then we got engaged and now we're married (a whole 3 months).  So I figured it's about time I update and post some pictures.  Although I will try to not be too gratuitous with the pictures, it was the best day... enjoy!

Obligatory "walking out of the temple" picture

Family & friends at the temple

My cute little nieces - little Jane mothering the slightly littler Siena

My parents

Besos from Siena

Jared & his cute little nieces and nephew

The McKee's

The Hatch's (we missed having Matty Boy with us)

Me & Grandma Carrolee
I wish I would've gotten a better picture with my grandparents

The Hatch's
Mike, Ginger, Grandpa, Kris, Grandma, Toni, Sally, Mike, Mom & Dad

The Goodman's (aka - my second family)
Steve, Cindy, Barrett, Jared, Mandy, Afton, Ryan & Kelli
(we missed all of the Teeples Clan, but glad we get to see them more often now)

The reception locale

My Grandpa Clarence (on the left) and his brother, Roy -
no, they're not twins

Mr. Karl Pedersen & his beautiful wife, Rachael
the man who started it all - he introduced me & Jared

The Fab Five
Irinna, Liz, Mandy, Beka & Noelle

Father/daughter dance.... so, does it look like we're related? 

Jared & his boys
Jay, Jeremy, Darin, Joe, Jared, Kris, Karl, Chris & Richard

Meg - the greatest roommate and adventure friend

The bouquet toss (or direct missile)

Me & my Tilly

The ladies - Jenna, Britt, Mandy & Heidi
 (Cami was already gone and I was way over not breathing in my dress)

The best day ever!!!! Coming soon... photos of our little abode, we're nearly done fixing up the place.  And then... on the road in the RV for 6 weeks.  I should probably get some pictures from Costa Rica up as well.