Fireplace remodel

This was our fireplace/ mantel when we bought the house. When they installed the fireplace they didn't put in any insulation so this fireplace was the coldest place in the entire house. Even when we had the fire on it didn't bring in enough warm air to make up the difference. Also- we never loved the tan tile and the tan wall....our fireplace always blended into the wall instead of being a center piece of the room. 

So after three winters of having a  freezing living room we decided to have it replaced. The fireplace company had to chip out the tile when they took the fireplace out..so we decided to give the entire area a make over.

First they took out the old fire place and we replaced it with a much bigger, more functional, better looking fireplace.

Next Pete painted the wall green. 

Then we had black tile installed and had the Mantel put back on. 

 Next Pete and his Dad did some wood work and some more painting to turn it into....

 This beautiful master piece.

Then for the finishing touch Pete and I went out for date night and found this beautiful clock to make it a finished product. 

We are so excited about the change in our living room. 

New Years Trip to Bryce Canyon

The Armstrong side of the family all went to Bryce Canyon for a three day, two night New Years get-away at Rubby's in. We swam multiple times a day...

Zizzy was pretty fearless in the water. She liked jumping off of the edge into our arms...

My mom took Adaliah for a swim one day while Zizzy was napping. She spent over an hour in the pool with Adaliah, just the two of them. My mom is such an amazing Grandma, Adaliah and Elizabeth are blessed. 

Pete went snow shoeing with some of the family (Pete, my dad, Karen, Anne, David, and Erin)

We were also able to go on a sleigh ride that took us to see some of the beautiful sights of Bryce Canyon.

New Years Eve there was a big dance across the street. I was obviously only able to watch the action, but it was still a great time. Adaliah and Pete danced their hearts out. When a slow song came on, Pete told Adaliah he was going to dance with me for this one and she sat on the chair and started to cry...she wanted to dance with her Dad the entire time. It was so sad/ adorable. So of course we let her come dance with us.

That night Elizabeth woke up in the middle of the night with a horrible cough and struggled breathing...We headed home New Years morning (Wednesday) and Zizzy was diagnosed with Croup on Thursday...then Pete got the aches, chills, fever, and cough (Saturday)....then Adaliah got it and literally laid on the couch from 10 am until bed time (Monday), and now I have it!  

I swear we always start the new year with sickness. But at least we got to enjoy the holiday before it hit us! We had a great time in Bryce Canyon! 

Highlights of 2013

Christmas

Christmas Eve at the Ackermans house.... eating dinner and hanging out...

Look at these little Love Birds...they recently got back from there two month long Honey Moon/back packing trip and now they're just waiting for their semester at BYU to start.

 Of Course Pop read the story of the "Night before Christmas" to the girls before we headed home

At home we opened....Christmas Pj's! 

 Karen joined us for Christmas Eve/ Christmas this year. We loved having her! We stayed up late with the Ludwigs playing games.

Christmas morning we all waited in Adaliah's room for Elizabeth to wake up...

And when she did....

We went out to see what Santa brought us. I love that Christmas is becoming more and more magical as the girls get older.

After a lazy morning/afternoon of opening presents and pumpkin waffles we headed back to the Ackermans house for the Christmas nativity, dinner, and cousin time. 

Pete loved having some of his "California Brothers" in town (Mark and Joel). The guys were able to get out the next day and see the Jazz play the Lakers. 

It was a perfect Christmas. We are blessed. 

December

December started with the festival of tree's at the expo center. This is our family in front of the "Carson Courage" tree that was made in honor of our cute 4 year old neighbor that left us 18 months ago.

We joined the Kuresa family at a breakfast with Santa. Adaliah was so brave and told Santa that she wanted an Ariel dress for Christmas.  He asked her if there was anything else she wanted...she thought for a min and then said "yes, my little sister wants a doggie". I thought it was sweet she was looking out for Ziz who is too young tell him herself. 

Karen invited Adaliah to join her in watching the Nutcracker. Karen said Adaliah loved every last min of it asking questions the entire time. She came home pretending to be Clara for the next week and dancing all around the house. 

Sister love when Adaliah got back home...

I reached my 30 week point! I'm getting close!! 

We had the crazy Ackerman Christmas Party...and it was...crazy

Pete had grown out an amazing mustache for the event...he preformed his famous Chiquita Banana dance that had won him the Mr. SUU title back in 2005.

 He also did a number as the Stupendous  Linguine Triplets that was pretty fantastic

A great time was had by all! 

Also in December my parents treated us all to a ride on the Polar Express. There was singing, games, cookies, and hot chocolate on the ride to the North Pool- and then when we got there Santa came on to visit and gave all the kids a Christmas Bell. 

Next was Christmas in Manti that we always have the weekend before Christmas 

Before the Armstrong festivities started, we were able to meet up with the Barclay girls and take the girls out on the sleds

Can you believe all of this pink? This is Tausha's two girls, and our two girls.... funny thing is both Tausha and I have our 3rd girls on the way. Next time there will be 6 little pink snow coats.

 We all had a great time at my family Christmas party- my parents spoiled us all rotten. They gave Adaliah the dress up's of the two Frozen princess...and that's pretty much what her and Lily have been doing for the last few weeks....acting out the entire movie.

On the morning of Christmas Eve we were able get out and build our Snowman for the season.