Our new facelift.

Let's start with a picture from last Christmas...messy kitchen, but you get the general idea...that's what it used to look like.

A very, very, very, long time ago, we decided we'd like to tile our back splash...and last week we finally did it! My dad is a tiling pro, as he's done multiple impressive projects in his home (even made some of his own tile!)...so he brought the tools and brain power.

Andrew and I are lucky that we have very similar decorating tastes, so, though we liked a million ideas, we were able to come to one that was perfect for both of us, and really affordable. We also decided to hang a microwave to free some counter space, so that already made a big difference in the look of our kitchen a few days earlier.

Last Wednesday was a complete bust for our local landscapers due to amazing rain, which meant Drew could stay home, and Dad took the day off to help us get started. The kids stayed in their jammies the entire day since we didn't need to go anywhere and it was nasty out. Hailey didn't have preschool for Veteran's day. Things just kind of fell into place for the perfect home project day, staying nice and cozy on the inside.

Well, most of us anyway. Dad and Drew braved the rain on the porch and froze their fingers while making the cuts. The kids and I watched from inside.

And then the kids got bored with their jammies, so they added some flare.
Once my dad got us started, he left us to it...Drew did an awesome job laying the tile. I take credit merely for placing the small accent pieces and taking pictures. Oh, and keeping the little ones happy...there was that.
The next day we grouted. I helped a bit more with that process (particularly because it meant finally being able to clean up!!)...but again, managed to be the picture taker.
I also helped the kids build a fort to play in while we tiled. Forts are their favorite thing right now. They will do anything in a fort. Everything is more fun if you are hiding under blankets. You can read, eat, sing, play with baby dolls, or whatever you want...but if it's under blankets, it's extra special! They never get bored, which is great when you need them to entertain themselves for hours upon hours so that you can spruce up your kitchen! I highly recommend it as a parenting technique.
So, then there was some caulking, and we were through. Here it is up close. The small tiles are randomly placed, and I cut them so that the four colors vary from square to square. The glass looks so nice...pictures don't do it justice.
And here's the whole kitchen...new microwave and all. Since purchasing our house, we've redone the floors, hung the pots, added hardware to our cabinets and drawers, upgraded the faucet, added the microwave, and tiled the back splash. I'd say it finally looks the way we love it!
My friends with tattoos say they're addictive. It's like once you realize you have this space that can be decorated, you suddenly want to decorate all of it. I'm suddenly realizing how many walls we have in our house that could benefit from our new-found skills. And the floors. This could be dangerous.