Lately

Holy moly...we made it halfway through December!  We have been quite busy.  Here are a few pictures from the last couple of months.  It's been a rough fall for the Stoks' crew...we are praying that 2015 will be a healthy one!

We snapped this one on move-in day!  Finn was a huge fan of the leaves, Charlee was not.

Happy Halloween!

Poor Charlee and her big tears! This was taken immediately following a killer whale attack.

 Ashley and I ended our 8-year adventure with vegetarianism.  Get to know your farmer!  I can't think of a way I'd rather end that, than by eating Aunt Lisa and Unlce Tony's organic turkey.  Thanksgiving dinner was so yummy, I'm still thinking about it!  

 Family photos...always go so great for us!

 My silly little man!

 Auntie!

 Nana is Charlee's favorite person on Earth!  Despite having an incredibly challenging fall, I can say that  I feel so incredibly thankful and loved to be surrounded by such a wonderful family.  We wouldn't have made it through without each and every one of them.  I will be eternally thankful at the amount of time my kids have been able to spend with their GREAT grandparents! We are so lucky!!!

 The whole crew.  Even a few crazy Californians in there!

And of course, what Thanksgiving weekend would be complete without a little Black Friday shopping?

                    

We kicked off the Christmas season with our annual Critchmas cooking making party!  Oreo balls anyone?

Our St. Paul House

Here is the first tour of our little castle.  We closed on our St. Paul house in the beginning of August and Barrett has been diligently working ever since then.  Oh my goodness...I'm not convinced that we fully realized what it was that we were getting ourselves into when as novice DIYers we decided to take on a complete bathroom remodel, but we're getting close. 

BEFORE

 I believe that paint color is called "Pepto"

Awesome "shower" right.  The boys that rented our house before were so resourceful.  I mean obviously they needed a shower, so nothing a bike hook and handicapt bath extension can't fix.  Let's just say there was a bit of water damage :)

Our first dinner in the new house!  Picnic Style...

We discovered that the addition had some great parque flooring once we pulled up the "cat piss" carpet.    New carpet is on the home improvement list

Bear literally filled a dumpster in one night!  We removed all of the carpet, padding and completely demolished the bathroom down to the studs. 

Apparently Youtube has some great rewiring tutorials

                  

Meanwhile, Finn and Charlee and I have been embracing the vagabond lifestyle and have been wearing out our welcome at Nana and Papa's, Auntie Anne's and this weekend Dad and Lisa's.  The change of scenery is nice though.

One DYI project we were't willing to take on was refinishing our original hardwood floors.  We paid Joe (pictured below).  He was almost as awesome as this picture :)

I'm obsessed with how they turned out!

                 

Meanwhile back in NYA...these two!

Back to the bathroom....

IN PROGRESS

Lunch Break!

 So slowly, but surely we are getting there.  Barrett started grouting last night and we have a few more rooms to paint before Mr. Clean and I overhaul the place.   I think we're in the homestretch.  I can't wait to post a full house tour complete with before and AFTER photos!  

Coming soon...

xo-A

Charlotte

She is here! Finally.  Our little lady made her appearance three days late.  Charlotte Lee Stoks arrived at 5:29PM on May 21, 2014.  Her brother is in LOVE!

Thanks Auntie for capturing every little moment perfectly!

Ashley is starting to do some  birth photography...so real and so beautiful.  Comment below if you'd like contact information.  Trust me, you won't be sorry!

xo-A