piano and sandpaper

My ever-so-kind-and-sweet mother-in-law gave me her piano - which originally belonged to her mother. I love that she gave it to me. The piano needed quite a bit of work, though. I called around to piano shops and restorers and it was going to cost around $5,000.00 to refurbish it. Yikes! So, Bruce and I decided to do some research and figure out how to do it ourselves. So we did. And it was A LOT of work. And we never want to touch a piece of sandpaper again. And now I love the piano all the more :)

Before:

After:

What do you think?? Should we quit our day jobs? :)

i love to see the temple

Bruce and I have set a goal to take our girls to the temple at least twice a year. Just to be there. So, that's just what we did! My mom and cute preggo sister came along since Bruce had to work and it was a wonderful morning. On the drive there, Grace said, "Mommy, I'm so happy my daddy and you got wedding in my temple!" (Bruce and I were actually married in the Houston Temple.) Oh, and that morning as I was fixing Haylee's hair, she said to me excitedly, "Mom, I really can't wait to see the temple today and also see Jesus!!!" I love these kids :)

Grace is such a mommy.
This photo is Haylee to a T.

Mom, Janelle & Ava....oh, and little baby

Haylee twirling

Love the crazy Ava hair!!

hummm...can't remember what captured all of our attention....

let's play

We are loving our new neighborhood for lots of reasons, but mainly because there seems to be a pool, park, or splash pad on every corner! It's fantastic! Now that the weather is warming up, we've been taking bike rides to the parks. The little girls run around and squeal while Bruce chases them pretending to be a dragon. So much fun :) I love my little family. A lot.