Cruisin' 2011 !!

That's right... Scott and I went a cruise...AGAIN, Happy Birthday to me... AGAIN!I am really liking this new tradition we have started! This time we were able to go with Scott's little sister Mary and her husband Russ. We had such a good time. Our first stop was Montego Bay, Jamaica where we relaxed on the BeAuTiFuL beach and bartered with the locals in their shops. Our next stop was Grand Cayman in the Cayman Islands (my favorite!!) we spent the afternoon swimming with stingrays! They were huge! and slimy! We fed them squid and they would just about maul us trying to get to it! Our last stop was Cozumel, Mexico. We loved Mexico!! We swam in an underground river, visited some old Mayan ruins, and again shopped!! Scott found the coolest little shops ran by Mayans selling handmade art, carvings, you name it! When we weren't exploring new land, we relaxed pool side on the ship with the occasional ping-pong or volleyball tournament, shows, oh and we ate ALL DAY! I think we got Mary and Russ hooked on cruised cause we are all going again sometime in the future!!

Day 1 on the ship

Day 2

Day 3

Day 4: Jamaica 'mon!

Day 5: Grand Cayman

Day 6: Cozumel

Day 7 on the ship

Happy Birthday Dinner!! Thanks dear, Love ya!

Labor Day at the Christensen's

We have been talking about painting the house since we moved in. I did like the cedar trim but I really like the way the dark turned out. Scott painted all this on his own while I was at work on Labor Day. Isn't he so amazing??!! I had no idea what he was up to until I came home to this!

BEFORE



AFTER

My New Table

This time Scott built me a console table. It all happened on a weekend I was working. Scott needed something to do I guess 'cause I came home to this beautiful table. Made of solid wood, of course, so it is very heavy. But he let me finish it off, however I wanted. I am pretty proud of his abilites, obviously, so sorry if this isn't post worthy. It matches our coffee table he built- similar structure. I've wanted a farmhouse dining table, so we are looking over different plans right now. Maybe it'll be our next big project!!

Hatch Family Pictures

The whole Hatch fam

Just the girls

Me and my cute husband

Hanging with JereBear

Jon, Nikki, and the girls!!

Our trip to Utah

Scott and I were so excited to finally get back home to see the family!! Scott hadn't been home at all since we moved out here over a year ago! Scott's little brother David got married so Scott and I traveled to Cedar City and then St George and then back to Salt Lake for a couple days. The wedding was beautiful, we had so much fun. It was so good to see our families and spend some time with all the nieces and nephews. Besides the long delays at the airport and Scott getting the stomach flu the trip was the best part of our summer. I can't wait til we can go back!!

Curb Appeal

Yes Scott did this ... by hand. Its another case of my crazy imagination and Scott making things happen!! Thanks dear!!

Happy 4th of July

Scott and I had a good little fourth of July this year. I had to work all day but afterwards Scott came downtown and we walked to the park and watched the fireworks with a bucket of chicken ;) We go home in like 10 days for Scott's little brothers wedding and couldn't be more excited!! We miss everyone so much... especcially durring the holidays.
So I created a little holiday decor and have been getting requests for pictures... so here it is... My beadboard flag (yes leftover beadboard from the bathroom!! ;))Hope ya'll like it! Next I need to make a Texas flag huh!!

Bathroom Makeover!!

It happened again, I had an idea and Scott made it happen. This time it was our bathroom. Our spare bathroom has always been cute, but I'll admit, a bit boring. So we decided to add a little something. We added beadboard to the back wall and then framed the mirror with some white molding. I just love how it turned out!! Next we will have to frame the mirror in the master bath!!

One Saturday Morning Scott Built a Coffee Table

That's right. I am just about the luckiest girl alive. I am constantly bringing Scott these crazy ideas and every once in a while, he agrees to go along. But look at what he can do... He can freaking build a coffee table. It turned out so darn cute too. We needed a coffee table for the game room but couldn't find one we liked. I am kinda into the whole "farm house" look lately and just loved the look of the solid wood panels on this table. Now I just need to find a farm house dining room table!!

My Big Red Mirror

I did it, I had an idea and with some of Scotty's help (okay a lot) we created this funky mirror. Wasn't much to it actually. Just a big piece of MDF, a saw, and a mirror. I am pretty proud too, taught myself to use the jigsaw, Scott wasn't too thrilled, but it worked out well. It was so easy, I can't stop thinking of what else we can create!! More projects coming our way!!!

Summer Wreath

This wreath is gonna make it through every season I swear.. I was tired of the green... So now it is red!! Summer is here!! Maybe a blue ribbon for July?? Than what color??

The Patio

Oh yeah... So we decided to lay a stone patio, talk about biggest nightmare ever!! But first we had to get rid of our small cement patio... with a sledge hammer!! Biggest mess I have ever seen. Than after a few weeks of laying sand and stone we had this beautiful patio!! Scott is such a trooper, we had no idea it was going to be so much work, but he did it and he did a good job (as usual!!) Now we need some fun patio furniture and a grill and it'll be complete!

One Year in the Lonestar State

I cannot believe we have officially been in Houston for an entire year!!! This last year has just flown by. We have been pretty busy with our new jobs and our new home and our new puppy (who is huge BTW!). Scott has been working for the Department of Defense for one year now, and he is actually enjoying work most of the time :) And I have been working at Memorial Hermann Texas Medical Center in the Cardiovascular Intermediate Unit. While we both love of jobs, we definitley enjoy our days off together more!! So to make things easy I have compiled a small list of our favorite things to do in Houston, not in any specific order, here it goes...
10. Work (we kinda like our jobs so far)
9. Finding fun new places to eat
8. Shopping... Shopping... Shopping
7. Bike rides to HEB or Hobby Lobby (my fav)
6. Taking the dog on walks at night in the warm summer heat.
5. The BEACH!!
4. Visits from family
3. Working in the yard and Garden
2. Happy Hour at Sonic
1. Building a family.

With our families so far away, Scott and I have worked hard to make Houston our home. We really do have a good life here and are so blessed. I was lucky enough to fly home for a few days this month to go to my Dad's retirement party. I miss them all so much and could not ask for a better family. Scott put up with an empty house and probably an empty stomach for a few days so I could go and I am so grateful!! Thanks guys!!!

Onto the the pictures. We have had so so much fun with our new home. Scott has been nonstop building or painting something!! We put a garden in the backyard and ended up needing to build a fence to keep Jax out!! Scott is so awesome!! He can build just about anything and trust me I will put him to the test this summer!!! Also he build a brick wall in the living room, yes you read that right.. a brick wall. I was sceptical at first but WOW, he did an amazing job. I have learned to just let him do what he wants and not to question him. We have plenty of more projects in the works so I will post more pics soon!!

Scott and Jax with the fence they built

The wall

Meet JAX

Scott is a total dog guy and has wanted a dog since we moved into our home. So I agreed as long as we could get a puppy..... So finally, last Sunday, we brought home this little guy. He is a 5 week old chocolate lab. We both have a had a lot of fun playing with him these last few days, but he is still a baby and does wake us up most nights. Scott can't wait til he gets bigger and can go running with him, I wish he'd stay small and cute forever!!

My Wreath

I am very proud!!