I'm ba-ack!

Hello, All! Did you miss me??? (Don't answer that.)

I truly enjoyed this little break. But I'm happy to be back. AND I HAVE PICTURES OF THE BASEMENT!!!

Without further ado:

(Before carpet. CLEARLY!)

When you open the door to the basement you go down a few steps to a little landing.

And from the landing you descend the rest of the steps!

And enter my SCRAPBOOKING NOOK!!!

CANNOT WAIT to get set up in there.

The door you see leads to the furnace room.

Go down a brief hallway and enter...

The Family Room/Man Cave/Andy's Domain/Football Headquarters

Another angle

Just a peek at the toy room!

It's not finished, so this is all you get for now. =)

Another angle.

The entrance on the left leads back to my scrapbooking area.

The hallway on the right leads to the bathroom and there's a large hall closet right there.

Hall closet and bathroom.

BATHROOM!

Another angle with some crazy reflections from the mirror

The stool and shower are in their own little room.

We hosted our first get together in our new basement.

Fantasy Football Draft 2009

This was our sixth year doing the draft with this group - it's become quite a tradition!

Here are the guys hard at work. Because we all know it takes SERIOUS CONCENTRATION AND A SPECIAL LEVEL OF FOCUS to choose your fantasy football team.

From l to r: Kris, Tim, Zimmy, Husband (wearing his Brett Favre jersey!!! do you think we're a little excited about him around here???), Eric and Mark

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There are a few little details yet to be completed, but it's a functioning basement.

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I AM SO PROUD of my husband. He exhibited amazing initiative and determination with this huge project. It has turned out very well and it's a wonderful accomplishment. At the start I said that I'd be happy (and surprised) if it was finished by Thanksgiving. I STAND CORRECTED! Well done, Andy! The basement looks fabulous!

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I'd also like to thank our friend Keith. It wouldn't have been possible without him. He was a big help to Andy and lent his expertise, his tools, and a little sweat over the course of these couple months. We're very appreciative.

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Come see us and hang out in our new basement any time!!!

Chrissy's Coming Home!!!

I know I said I was on a bloggy break, but I had to share this joyous news!!! My amazing and heroic cousin Chrissy is coming home from Iraq!!! Thanks be to God for His incredible goodness and mercy!

She emailed yesterday to let us know that she would be heading to Baghdad International Airport last night and then off to Kuwait for about three days and then home to the States by the weekend!!!

My heart is full as I think about all she has experienced and endured over there for more than a year. I am so thankful for her service and her sacrifice.

I wish I could be at the airport in Colorado when she lands on American soil. I would love to be there to give her a standing ovation and a huge hug.

Praise the Lord for His protection over her.

Chrissy's coming home!!!

A Bloggy Break

Happy Monday, everybody!

I've decided to take a little break from blogging this week. We were on "vacation" last week and now we need another vacation to recooperate! The basement is so, so close to being complete. We're hosting our Fantasy Football Draft on Sunday, so I'm 99% sure it will be done by then!

How exciting!

I guess I underestimated my husband and his determination. He really has been a freak of nature! He's worked so hard, tackling tasks that he's never tried before. I'm thankful for his initiative and I'm very proud of what he's accomplished. If you could see our basement you wouldn't know that it was completed by a guy with not one minute of construction training or experience. Way to go, Andy!

So, next week you can look forward to:

Pictures of the basement!
The final Illinois Recap!
Wordless Wednesday!
Taylor's Birthday Recap! (finally!)
And, my first ever blog contest!

Have a great week, and please come back!!!

Our Laundry Room

Our laundry room was the last unpainted room in our house. We chose a color and bought the paint way back when we had our painting party and painted the rest of our house before we moved in.

But we never got to it. It was low, low, way down low on the priority list.

Last Monday I got a wild hair and decided to go for it. And miracle of miracles, BOTH OF MY KIDS NAPPED AT THE SAME TIME THAT DAY!!! Lily hasn't really napped for about a year, but she was worn out from the weekend and had had an emotional day. I had her lay down for a few minutes and sure enough, she was out!

(Can I just say here that if my kids napped at the same time every day my life would be very different? I can only imagine the things that could be accomplished in an uninterrupted hour of work time! It was magical. A little gift from the Lord. I really mean that.)

The two of them sleeping at the same time aided me greatly in painting the laundry room. My hubby had to help me with the part above the cupboards because I couldn't even reach with the step ladder. But it's finished and it looks so much better than plain white. The color is called Autumn Mist and it really warmed it up in there. I love it!

p.s. we have carpet in our basement as of yesterday!!! it looks so good! i'll post pictures soon!!!

Blueberry Zucchini Bread

So Allrecipes.com has become a very favorite website of mine lately. You can find a recipe for pertenear anything you can imagine!

My parents gave me a zucchini and I went a-lookin' for a zucchini bread recipe. And I came upon the following and might I just say, it turned out absolutely delightful. Because plain old zucchini bread usually isn't very spectacular. But! Apparently when you add a handful of blueberries and a dash of cinnamon it becomes a tasty loaf of deliciousness! WHO KNEW???

I wish I had a picture, but there isn't any left to take a picture of. The good news is I have received another zucchini from my parents. It's by far the largest zucchini I've ever seen in my life. It is also quite possibly the largest zucchini that has ever existed. And it should make approximately 42 loaves of zucchini bread. I'll get right on that.

3 eggs, lightly beaten
1 cup vegetable oil (could do half applesauce, half oil)
3 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 1/4 cups white sugar (could certainly reduce the amount of sugar or use some brown too)
2 cups shredded zucchini
3 cups all-purpose flour (definitely do half whole wheat, half white or ALL whole wheat!!!)
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1 Tablespoon ground cinnamon
1 pint fresh blueberries

AND DON'T FORGET TO ADD SOME FLAXSEED MEAL!!!

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease 4 mini loaf pans.

In a large bowl, beat together the eggs, oil, vanilla and sugar. Fold in the zucchini. Beat in the flour, salt, baking soda, baking powder and cinnamon. Gently fold in the blueberries. Transfer to the prepared loaf pans.

Bake 50 minutes in the preheated oven. Cool 20 minutes in pans, then turn out onto wire racks to cool completely.

ABSOLUTELY DELICIOUS!!!

Wordless Wednesday

Dear Heidi

Dear Heidi,

It's hard to believe that it's already been 9 years since we lived together in Mitchell Hall!!! So much has transpired in both our lives since our college days, but despite the thousands of miles between us we continue to keep in touch and I'm so thankful.

I can't tell you how much it means to me that you make time in your busy schedule during your visits to the States to see little 'ole me! It amazes me that you make the trip to St. Cloud year after year and spend time with ME! You always have so much to do, and people to see around the country. Your trips to Minnesota mean so much to me and I appreciate it more than you know.

You are such a dear friend. Loyal. True. Loving. Kind. Thoughtful. Funny! Honest. I can be myself with you. I have never had to try to be someone I'm not when I'm around you. I know that you KNOW me and love me just the same. I love your authenticity! If only there were more Heidis in the world! Everybody needs a friend like you.

The way to a mother's heart is through her children. Or at least the way to my heart is through my children. It means a lot to me that you love my kids. And they love you! You make them feel so special and I'm so glad that you are a part of their life.

You are right that I think your life is more exciting than mine. You are travelling around the world and I'd love to see some of the places you've been. But thank you for encouraging me with the fact that my life - this life - of raising my kids is "exciting" too. It's important. Sometimes I struggle with my value as a stay-at-home-mom, and I have to purpose to be content.

I would encourage you to do the same! You long to be a wife and a mommy. God has other ideas right now! And if it's God's will for you in the future it will be all the more sweet! You are having incredible experiences around the world, and once you have kids I'm guessing you'll galavant a little less - it's just harder to do with little ones! (And more expensive!!!) Enjoy the life you're living! Once you have a baby you can never go back! =) You'll make a great momma, Heidi!

So now you're back in Singapore teaching a classroom full of precious preschoolers. These are the babies God has entrusted to you for now. They are blessed to have a teacher like you! I pray that you'll have a wonderful year and bloom right where God has planted you! Even if you have to wear sleeves!!! =)

I miss you dearly. And I look forward to seeing you next summer! Lily has told me several times that she wants you to come to her 5th birthday! =)

Take care, sweet Heidi! Talk to you soon. I love you!

Despite how it looks, Lily was enjoying this little smooch VERY much - giggling with glee!

Watching Lily play soccer

Buddies

Distinguished Guests (or people that we really, really like)

I LOVE having a guest room! I've always wanted one and it's every bit as cool as I thought it would be.

The Becker B & B boasts:

• A Comfy Queen Size Bed with New Pillows
• Cable TV
• Alarm Clock
• Room Darkening Shades
• A Fan for noise
• Turn Down Service
• Wake Up Calls
• Complimentary Breakfast
• Delightful Hosts

So far the following distinguished guests have stayed in our luxury suite:

• My mom and dad
• My sister
• Our friends Lucas and Eir
• Our friend Heidi

Here's a wish list of people I'd love to have stay with us:

• Jared and Becca Gwin
• Amber Hobbie
• Jodi Krogman
• Dave and April Cousens
• George and Laura Bush
• BooMama (real name Sophie) (she recently wrote this post titled The Night We Met The BoBerry and it made me laugh out loud! I read it aloud to my husband and could hardly get through it without cracking up every other sentence! She is SO funny! Who knew you could post about a Biscuit and it could be so stinkin' hilarious???)
• Nathan and Christy Nockels (I would just ask her to sing to me while she was here. She has one of my favorite voices ever.)
• Tim and Elisabeth Hasselbeck (I almost never watch The View, but when I do (about twice a year) I really enjoy Elisabeth. She is a feisty little Republican and stands her ground well amongst her liberal co-hosts. She also has three children (did you hear about the recent birth of little Isaiah?) including a son named Taylor! =)
• YOU!!!

Seriously, come any time. The coffee's on!

Or the Mello Yello.

Or the Diet Coke.

Or the water, no ice thankyouverymuch.

Or the Country Time Lemonade.

Or whatever your favorite beverage is! Just come!

Recent Lilyisms

A couple days ago I found Lily lounged on the couch watching Noggin.

Me: Whatcha doin', Honey?

Lily: Just hangin' out.


Yesterday my friend Lisa and her three boys came to spend the afternoon with us. Lisa's oldest son Kyle drew a picture of a "refrigerator" with a black marker. (Drawing is not his strength.) He then showed his masterpiece to Lily.

Kyle: Lily, look at this refrigerator I made.

Lily, taking a good look at his artwork: I'm just not seein' it.

Basement update

The walls are up and painting has begun! Andy's brother Eric was here tonight and the three of us made a ton of headway. We'll have to see how it all looks tomorrow in the daylight - I'm sure touch ups will be necessary! The family room is Classic Taupe. The bathroom is Prelude (a cool blue) and the toy room is two colors from Disney - Atta Boy Blue and Pooh's Favorite Things.

The vinyl flooring is being installed in the bathroom this morning. We're going with a similar look to what we already have in the other bathrooms in the house.

And the carpet is being installed next Thursday! That means Andy has until then to get all the trim up and the doors installed! He's on "vacation" next week and unfortunately he'll be using most of that time to get this darn basement finished! There are a few electrical things yet to be done and the fireplace needs to be hooked up. But we're getting close, people!!!

The light at the end of the tunnel is so bright I need shades! Have a great weekend!

Illinois Recap #3

After leaving Dave and April's house we drove awhile, stopped for lunch at a McDonald's with a play land, and ended up at our hotel in Vernon Hills, IL. We unpacked the car for the fourth time (my parents' house, hotel #1, april's house, hotel #2) on our trip so far and tried to get settled in our rooms. This included setting up the pack and play for the fourth time as well! I am a current world champion pack and play setter-upper. (If there was such a thing, I would surely win.)

Lily, Taylor and myself each got a nice afternoon nap! It was desperately needed after our slumber party at the Cousens' house the night before!

My dad went to Emily and Dave's rehearsal dinner, and mom and I took the kids to the mall to get some dinner and walk around. The kids had done a lot of sitting over the past couple days and needed somewhere to stretch out. The mall had one of those wonderful little play areas for kids and my children loved it! It was very busy, but they were so happy to climb around.

See?

The mall also had a Disney Store. Upon entering the store, I'm pretty sure I heard angels singing. And a had to fight the urge to break into song singing "A Whole New World" or Can You Feel the Love Tonight?"

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I never used to understand those people who loved all things Disney. But after our trip to Florida in February, I am now one of those people! And if I can't BE at Disney, then I'll purchase Disney things.

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They were having an awesome sale and I got great deals on some fun stuff. My best find was a Jiminy Cricket on clearance for $5. Ever since seeing the movie Pinochio, Lily has been in love with Jiminy. And I never thought I'd ever find a Jiminy stuffed animal. I saved him as a surprise for the ride home and let's just say she was delighted.

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Anyway, we took the kids back to our hotel and attempted to put them to bed, despite the carnival taking place just down the street, along with a local band performing in the bandshell at a less than ideal volume!

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Sunday morning my dad and I took Lily to church. Mom kept Taylor so that he could get his morning nap. Bless her.

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Lily had time for a quick swim before we needed to get dressed for the wedding. The progress she has made this summer and her level of comfort with the water thrills me!

See?

She is definitely the queen of flotation devices!!!

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My cousin Emily's wedding took place at a beautiful barn. I was a little unsure what to expect, but the location was gorgeous. And so was the bride! The whole event was so lovely and it was so fun to be there.

Emily and her father (my uncle Peter) preparing to walk down the "aisle"

The barefoot bridesmaids ready to go

Almost time! A loving glance between father and daughter.

The wedding ceremony

My dad performed the ceremony and gave the message. I have heard my fair share of wedding messages from my dad over my lifetime. This was one of his finest. Wish you could have been there. It was so, so good.

One of the few pictures I have of T from the wedding! My happy, handsome boy with his doting Grandma.

My girl

Lily and Mya were nearly inseparable. Two peas in a pod. They are too cute.

The Crabtree contingent.

The beautiful couple. They ARE beautiful! Aren't they BEAUTIFUL???

My dad with three of his six siblings - Nancy, Peter and Floy

Fun with Grandpa!