Around the house . . .

We've been slowly working on decorating and making our house ours.   Right now the back yard is a big dirt mound with sprinkler trenches dug up everywhere.  The front yard has some plans and there are a few more plans for the house.  Even though we both feel inadequate and indecisive about decorating, we have enjoyed thinking and planning and creating spaces of beauty and comfort for us.  Here are a few spaces in our home we like.
This project was started last YEAR.  I pleased with the outcome and it should NOT have taken that long :)

 I saw this little arrangement online, but I couldn't decide what photos to put in the frames.  I finally thought it would be interesting to see ourselves and our kids compared at similar ages.  I find people often talk about what kids looks like who so I thought this would give us a different perspective.  I really like it.  The plan is to change out the photos as the kids get older and older (however, there may be a 10 year period where I don't put my photos in to compare ;))

Hallie and Mom

Jackson and Dad

 Mom and Hallie

 Mom and Mariah

This gallery is located on a large wall in the Master Bedroom.  We love it because it is a picture from each one of our major trips, with little pins in each place we travel. We love being in bed and looking and reminising on the wonderful trips and times we've had as a family.  We plan on changing out the photos as time goes on and adding more frames. 

   We love to be able to add more pins to the map! 

 The collage frames are usually one trip or a genre of trips.  This one is Germany.  There is another of 'hiking/camping" and another of our recent road trip.  

 This is our front entry way.  Still a work in progress, but it is so much more designed than in our last house :)

 Here is the collage in the living room.  

 It is a collection of sunset shots taken by Dave in our favorite places (Hawaii, Arizona, California, and another Hawaii).  We've been trying to get a great shot in Utah, but alas, it hasn't made the wall yet. :)

It is so different to be able to has a (small) budget for decor and home design.  It is fun, but so difficult for me.  I find it hard to commit to a certain style (or item) if it doesn't either serve a function or have meaning in our lives.  I find it hard to spend money on it where there are other things I like more.  However, I am learning that I love being around places I feel are beautiful and meaningful to me.