Elizabeth Lynn Bretschneider

Elizabeth Lynn Bretschneider came into this world 9-17-13 to Clayton and Michelle...and to us as well!

Nancy VS The Fireplaces!

We have not posted too many pictures of our remodel process because we have not done more than pull carpets and paint floors - Temporarily. Plus a lot of outside clean up.

We were also on hold with many forward moving projects due to furniture that does not fit or sit well - and the biggest challenge was

Color Consternation!  And then - what do you do with the dang fireplace color - Red bricks on one and brown bricks on the other! - and both visible to each other.  A little too much fireplace for the house - we admit...but we did not build it - so there ya are! 

One Fireplace cannot have a fire in it - as it does not have a clay flue liner...we will get a price on a gas insert for that one.  (That is actually a decision!) timing is another decision!

Since the brown one had massive chimney repair before we bought the house - if used it will probably house a real fire.

Nancy did her research - and found out that often - people that paint the bricks of wood burning fireplaces...are often surprised when the paint comes off  do the the heating of the bricks....

But Nancy persevered - researching and finding answers and below you can see her work

Fireplace One - in the Family Room 

The hilariously electric logs - real logs on an electric heater and blower unit

I am amazed it did not start on fire itself...wouldn't that be an ironic fire call.

 Paint it Nancy!

AHHH - Nice!

 Now What about this Brown Bertha - 

I almost expect Keebler Elves to bake cookies in it

Nancy found a trick online - called whitewashing - we looked at several pictures of it and liked the fact it does not hide the character of the brick - but it lightens up the color.   

We used the same paint color as we put on the paneling - but thinned it 1 part paint  3 parts water!

It was a sloppy job - but I was at work so no big deal!....I am sure I would have made it messier.  Good thing we pulled out the carpet before doing this!

 Here is the finished look...oops left the fan in the picture

Here is the overall look - with the new paint on the  paneled walls visible

Nancy did a fantastic job !

A little beach vacation

WE camped at Holland State Park for about a week when the temps were great

Clayton and Michelle and the boys joined us one day on the beach

We did not take many pictures - we just came to the beach by day and sat with friends by campfires in the evening!....and talked and read.

 Broden and Clayton teach Judah the importance of digging in the sand!

Broden gets buried.

Adam and Sandra Visit

 Adam and Sandra and Tahlia came for a visit...since we live close to the beach..we went there often

Grandpa and Tahlia...Grillin!

We had to get out the pool - I think she missed the big pool from last year

helping water the flowers

Playing with Cousins

Baking cookies with Grandma...a tradition! 

 learning the art of aggressive tickling

 Loving the Beach

 Sluggo's Pizza!   could be a new favorite

The Green Smoothie Girl   - she is not really green - she just drinks green smoothies

Come back Soon!

More June Summer Fun - Camping

We were invited to Join Maplewood church for a weekend at Cran Hill - and so we invited Noah - as part of his birthday present

This is a new twist on "smores"  take a sugar cone - stuff it with mini marshmallows and other good stuff like M&M's and chocolate chips or white chocolate and nuts - then wrap it in foil - then toss it in the camp fire

Yeah - like that

 If the timing is just right - it all melts together and all effects of sugar are evaporated..except for the sweetness and goodness of it's wholesome nutrition and protein

 Then of course there is fishing

 And Frog Hunting

 And Frog and Turtle Races! Noah's "Herman" took second in the first race and first in the second race!

The turtle...contrary to the story...lost - he should have stuck to racing hares.

 Then There was Archery

 I am sure Noah can out shoot the chic in Hunger Games!  

Then it was time for the Rifle Range 

 We learned the sights were not accurate - after three "visual" adjustments - I was able to get most of mine in the center.

Then on to the Climbing Wall

All The Way to the Top!................

time for dinner!