GREEN BELT!

JT just graduated to the yellow belt but we found out he was ready to test for his green! So, last week we spent 4 nights at the karate studio. 2 for his regular classes, 1 testing day and Friday was his graduation. Graduation was really cool. The kids got to show off their stuff and even see a couple routines from some black belt kids. This captured both Sam and JT's attention~ Especially when they were wielding around bo staffs and swords! Here are some pictures and video of JT from the event.

Getting Ready.

Bow of Courtesy.

Front Punch.

Forms 1-10. You have to know the different poses 1-10 and say sir with each one. You are supposed to be loud and forceful.

JT rocked this! This is what earned him his bonus blue stripe at the end from Master Mendoza. So cool! Check out this video of it.

Grappling.

Top Mount wins. You have to get on top of the other person, get your legs wrapped in and stay there. JT is really getting the hang of this. :)

Receiving his Green Belt. This is when Master Mendoza told him he got the only blue attitude stripe he was giving out in the graduation. JT was so excited. We have it on video, but it is too long to post. It is awesome.

A graduating class funny face shot.

JT and Master Mendoza.

Serious Face.

Love JT here. So cute. He was so proud of himself and we are so proud of him!

The "New" House

The NEW HOUSE!

It is DONE! Well, yea, we will say done. The last few things that were completed (granite, painting and the laundry cabinets) were all done by Saturday. We moved back in and enjoyed Easter in our new house. Here are the before and after pics. It is a little confusing by I had to do it side by side for dramatic effect. ;)

Granite.

Kitchen.

BEFORE.

AFTER!!!!!

Computer Station

BEFORE

AFTER

Hallway.

BEFORE

AFTER!!!!!!!

Baseboards.

BEFORE

AFTER.

Entryway.

BEFORE

Just Painted.

AFTER!!!!!

French Doors.

BEFORE.

AFTER!!!!!!!!!

Laundry Room

BEFORE.

AFTER!!!!!!!!!!!!

Dining Room

BEFORE.

AFTER!!!!!!

Living Room

BEFORE.

AFTER!!!!!

BEFORE

AFTER

Dining Room to Office/Patio.

Patio.....

Finally getting to enjoy it! PRICELESS!

Patio Pics!

Probably the quickest of all the updates... the Patio Pavers are in!

We haven't even used it yet, but we are excited to be able to add another living space here. I don't have any furniture over there, but we will be putting stuff there soon.

Before....

a very wasted space. Basically land of garbage cans and pool supplies.

The beginning of the fence.

Again, nothing there. Just wasted space.

The old view from the doors.

Construction started on Thursday.

And it didn't take long!

AFTER!!!

Looking toward the house.

They ran drip lines for us to have some plants there by the wall.

Ready for S'mores!

View from the doors.

The doors and lights.

The fence... Rain or shine... Matt was determined to finish that fence on Saturday

We are so close now with the construction... This week... Granite and Painting! After that it is all up to us! (uh -oh!) We will have to bring everything in, get our window treatments, a rug, put in the laminate in upstairs....I guess we still have a long way to go!