Happy 4th Birthday!

Ike turns 4 today!  They grow up so fast....

Everyone thinks their kid dog is the cutest and funniest...but ours really is. :)  Seriously.

I can't believe he is 4 already.  Crazy!
I was looking back through some old photos and realized there was never a dull (or inexpensive) moment when Ike was a puppy.  For example:

• He chewed some holes in the dry wall of our last house (I was busy cramming for an exam and thought he was chewing on a bone...nope, it was the wall)..this is how we learned to repair drywall
• He ate 1 of Nate's new cell phones....if its in shorts pockets in the laundry basket it's fair game if you are Ike...this is how we learned about insurance on cell phones.
• I had an emergency root canal on one of my front teeth because I bent down to pet him and he accidently jumped straight into my face.  (He's lucky I didn't need a crown on that tooth....just don't think I would look right with a "grill". :P)...this is how we learned the importance of dental insurance.

He's still high energy but behaves much better these days.  Maybe we should have done that whole obedience school thing a few years ago.

Here are some pictures of his younger days....bad haircuts and all...

We love our dog...

Time for a birthday nap.....

Anyone else treat their dog like their child?  Anyone like their dog better than their human child?
Do you throw your furry friend a birthday party?  Please share!

Pantry Organization

Overall, we are neat and organized people.
I'm border line OCD.  It's a serious medical condition.  Nothing to joke about.

I HATE clutter on counters....so I throw it in drawers and closets.
Wah-lah. Clutter gone!  Everyone thinks you are a neat freak!

Until you need to find something....

I'm now on a mission.

The pantry was my first victim.

I'm a little embarrassed to post this picture but it is what it is.

Surprisingly, I didn't throw very much away. I just straightened, organized, and consolidated. 
(The Target bags will be returned to Target for recycling.  I just learned they did this! 
Way to go Target....add that to my list of reasons why I love you so.)

I didn't buy anything new...I just organized.

After about 20 minutes, the pantry looked like this....

It will probably stay like this until...Friday.  At least there is now proof that it was clean and organized.

And yes, I eat like a 6 year old. Don't judge.

How do you keep your pantry/food cupboard in order? Or do you?  Any fun storage containers? 
Are you one of those weirdos that has to alphabetize the stuff on there shelves? Weigh in!

Stairway to....Upstairs

Our staircase/walk-way is one of my favorite features of our house and it hasn't made an appearance on the ol' blog yet. 

Ike wants to know how I have let this happen....

But today is the day!

Here's what we started with...

The railing needed about 1 million clamps to bend it into the proper shape. 
(We did most of the building ourselves but this we left to a professional so I don't really know how he did it....other than the 1 million clamps)

After some staining, the addition of spindels, and carpet we now have this...







The walk-way leads to our master.  It's handy for chucking things down onto the couch when we're too lazy to walk downstairs.

I want to rip the carpet up because I would love all wood stairs but that seems dangerous for the dog....and myself!!

What are your thoughts?