baby steps...in the mudroom

life seems to be getting away from us lately. we need some serious organization around this joint (and to throw crap away), but i just haven't had time to work on it.

this week, i am on spring break and have been a crazy lady around this place. my #1 goal for my break was to "finish" the mudroom.  i posted almost exactly a year ago about getting this room painted...transforming it from this (ew!)....

         

to this.....

      

functional was the name of the game for this room. a few months ago, my dad helped me hang 4x1s to put hooks on.  we thought this was necessary so that weighted down hooks wouldn't rip big holes in the plaster if they didn't hold.  come to find out, there is solid brick behind that plaster, so the wood was overkill...but it looks pretty.  this week, i got the boards painted and hooks hung.  i need two more hooks for the lower board (lowes was out), would love to switch out that light, and want something under the bench for gloves, hats, etc....baskets? galvanized bins? i haven't made up my mind yet. oh yeah, and something more attractive than a cardboard box for recycling.  but, finally...progress!

SURPRISE!

brian's parents celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary in february.  little did they know, the rest of the family was scheming behind their backs to plan a surprise party...three kids and their spouses and 7 grandkids...we were all in on it!  the scene of the crime was the church fellowship hall where they were married and had their reception 40 years ago! more than 80 people from throughout their lives came to celebrate...including the best man and maid of honor!

and surprisingly enough, we pulled it off.  brian was in charge of getting them there...he told them i wanted him to stop at the church to see if they had a bathtub we could borrow for Will while we were in town (his mom is the church secretary).  all of the grandkids were waiting when they got there to escort them into the party (which was surprise enough for nana).  they were totally shocked! it was an awesome evening of good food and fellowship.

the only thing we dropped the ball on was PICTURES! i took some before, but once the party started, we were all so busy visiting that we didn't get pictures of the lovebirds together (AH!) or a family picture (double AH!).  but this is what i did get...including a video of the big surprise (although it's pretty terrible....bad idea letting the crybaby of the bunch record the big surprise!).  we'll hire a photographer for the 50th anniversary party...or just plan a family trip to hawaii!!!

Happy Anniversary, Nana and Pawpaw!

hugging the maid of honor and best man!