Upgrade!

So this weekend, my dad decided to buy himself a big boy boat for his big ole birthday coming up here soon! Will, myself, and my mom went to pick it on Friday night when dad was at the basketball game and planned a weekend of fun to take the boat up to the lake and switch it out with the tiny little pontoon that we are currently rockin'. 

Dad's new toy!

Beautiful day at the lake!

After we switched the boats out, Will had to back our pontoon into our driveway. For some reason, anything to do with backing boats into the lake, into driveways, trying to trailer boats, or taking boats out of the lake make me incredibly nervous. Kind of a problem when you marry a guy who loves boats and being at the lake. I am just praying that we eventually have a son that can help Will with all that stuff so I don't have to. 

This is our disgusting pontoon. 

Mom power washing the poor boat...

while the boys rested.

Dad celebrating the fact that the boat actually fit in our boat slip and the boat trailer fit in the garage (by about 1/2 and inch). God was definitely smiling on dad this weekend. 

Will got the the honor of the first catch! 

And of course, I was doing what I love to do at the lake, reading!

Hallway Plans

I have been putting off working on the hallway since, oh I don't know, since we moved into the house last fall. For a long time, we just have had other projects ahead of it. Then, when I really thought about it, I didn't have that many ideas of what I wanted the hallway to look like. Behold the power of Pinterest!

So I started with paint colors. Right now, the hall is basically white. I know I want something pretty neutral, because ultimately, we will probably paint the living room the same color. 

Some neutral options. 

We do have a chair rail in the hall, so maybe something like this?

Or a slightly cooler neutral.

The next biggest problem with the hallway is the lighting. We have one tiny light in the hall, and it just doesn't cut it. That may mean wiring in some new lights, so we might have to get approval from the local contractor (aka Will). 

Maybe some sconces would help us out?

Something like this?

Next, we move to what actually goes in a hallway. I think a narrow table, along with some accessories and pictures on the wall would be just about right. 

We could even do a photo arrangement like this.

Or get a cabinet with a little more of a storage option. 

A mirror would be perfect too!

Another way to accessorize a hallway table

And then, all we would need is a rug! I am thinking about a slightly more contemporary rug than what we have in the living room.

Maybe something along this line in terms of pattern, but with different colors. 

So that is my master plan, I just have to see how long it takes to put this all into place. :)

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz!

My company, HTI, decided to throw a Halloween Spooktacular this year. And it was a blast! Every group in the office got to pick a theme and we were able to decorate our area and dress up while all the kiddos trick or treated around the office. We ended up having a carnival, a circus, a pumpkin patch, the cast of Hotel Transylvania, and we were the Wizard of Oz! And since I don't have any kids to treat or treat with, I got to be Dorothy!

Dorothy, Toto & Oz

When you open the door, this is what you saw, the lion, tin man, and scarecrow pointing down the yellow brick road

And you turned the corner and saw this! There is a lot of stuff going on, and it took forever to put together, but it was so much fun!

The yellow brick road led right to Oz's green curtain. 

Somewhere over the rainbow...

Fields of poppies

Apple tree and a silver of our house with the witches shoes sticking out of it. 

Me as Dorothy

The Kristin's as Munchkins

Scarecrow, Cowardly Lion, and Tin Man

And the good and bad witches!

The whole gang under the rainbow

And little Rivs as a pirate!

The best part was there was a contest for best decorated area, and our group won! And Nat won for best costume as the Wizard of Oz! The only problem now is how do we top this next year??

Deck Demo!

Will and I knew the fall would probably be the best time to tear down and rebuild the deck. The cooler weather was going to be a lot better for the workers (i.e. Not me), and with as busy a summer as we had, we figured the fall would be better scheduling wise, right?

Sure, we aren't busy at all! But, demo has begun, so we slowly but surely get this deck project under way. 

Below are some before pictures:

Upper section

The whole reason this project started in the first place. Dang tree limb...

Lower section

Whole deck for the last time!

The lower section was apparently pretty easy to get up. A lot of the wood was rotting from sitting straight on the ground, so we won't rebuild it that way. Will did find a stamp on the underside of a board that said 1982, which I thought was super cool!

Measuring out our new deck plans!

By now, there is a system working. Jigsaw, then pry up boards. Repeat until entire deck is disassembled. 

Next section done!

My handyman with his power tools!

Deck boards off! Now, to work out our final plans for the deck, get some wood, and start replacing the joists and framing out the new part of the deck!

GO Tigers!!

Will and I got the awesome opportunity this weekend to head back to the alma mater and watch our first Clemson game as a married couple, and Will's first game as a graduate (and yes, we realize this is sad, and we shouldn't go so long without making a visit.) It was so fun to be back in Tigertown on a gameday and watch our Tigers beat up on Georgia Tech. 

Setting up the tailgate

Go Tigers!

Me and my hunny!

Me, Will and Mindy!

Getting ready to rub the rock

Most exciting 25 seconds in college football!

Sammy waiting for a kickoff

Panorama of this place I love so much...maybe going in a frame

All smiles for a Tiger win!