my dream basement

A few weeks ago, I attended a baby shower with my mom, my sister (Whitney), Delaney, my grandma, my aunt (Kay) and my cousin (Shannon). The shower was for a very distant cousin and it was hosted by the sister of this very distant cousin. The shower took place in her house, which is located in Tiffany Springs, near Zona Rosa. She's 26. She's married. And THIS is her basement:


The built-in, oak bar with two refrigerators and a microwave (disguised to look like cabinets); granite countertops; fully stocked:

The sitting area, displaying one of the SIX flat-panel TVs that we counted around the house (and as an architecture nerd, I also have to point out the recessed ceiling and all of that crown moulding):

The view from the sitting area (that's a shuffle-board table back there where my niece is probably trying to break/throw something):

The leather poker-table and matching chairs (not pictured = another flat-panel TV over to the right); again with the moulding - around that pole? Around the door? Everywhere. Gorgeous:

THE HOME THEATER...notice the columns, the recessed ceiling, the leather recliners and the projection screen???? Yeah...we were all sort of in shock too:

AND THERE ARE TWO ROWS OF LEATHER RECLINERS!!! All electric (as shown by Delaney's little button-pushing fingers); cool trim around the steps; cool treatment on the walls; cool carpet:

You might ask yourself why you don't have a basement like this...or how two 26-year old KIDS have a basement like this. It was shocking to us as well. (and I didn't even show you the full gym behind the home theater room...it was all just a little too much.)
So there you go. My dream basement. I'm fully aware that this will never happen (that bar alone was probably $15,000??) But I enjoy things like "research" for upcoming projects in my house. This gives me something to shoot for. (in my wildest dreams) And yes, that's an antique popcorn maker right there in the foreground. (and I'm not talking about the little old lady. That's my grandma's sister-in-law, Aunt Stattie. It is her great-granddaughter's house. She was giving us the tour.)

Delaney Turned 2!

Delaney turned 2 on January 30th. We had a little birthday celebration for her this Saturday at our house. It was so much fun! The theme was "pink hearts" so I designed these little birthday invitations and purchased everything I could find at the Hallmark card shop with pink hearts on it:



The living room had pink hearts everywhere, and pink crepe paper anywhere we could wrap it:

The kitchen table was all set for cookie-decorating:


Lemonade, pink heart cookies, pink cupcakes, and the cutest little napkins and cups (from Hallmark, of course):


Whitney and I made these "mobiles" to hang from the kitchen windows. Sorry the lighting is terrible, but you get the idea:



And HERE COMES THE BIRTHDAY GIRL!!!! (I got to fix her hair!) She was wearing a new dress that was perfect for dancing and twirling:


The Puppy Pit was a big hit! A little bit staticky, but a constant source of entertainment (when Delaney wasn't sitting on her party guests):


I think these two are now friends for life. This is Troy's dad, Daryl and my cousin Cortney's son, Cory. They are not related, but they didn't seem to care:

Bryce and Delaney took turns on the Rock Band drums:


Bethany and Sophie said hello to Cory (the happiest baby ever):


This was "the spread" - macaroni and cheese, corn dog bites, pigs in a blanket, apple sauce, jello jigglers, oranges, and cupcakes! All very popular with kids and adults alike!:


The kids' table:


Time for presents!!! (Delaney got to sit in her princess chair - a gift from Nana Beth on her 1st Birthday. Such a good idea!)


Daryl and Karen (Troy's parents) and Cory:


Delaney opened her first song card (Hallmark!). I'm pretty sure it was Little Mermaid:


Bryce got stuck in a folding chair:


All of the kids sat so patiently while Delaney opened her gifts:


Delaney got a princess tiara and matching earrings:


She put it on right away! (backward):


Dig in!



Pure glee:


Something that came with 250 pieces!



"They don't make these things easy to open":



Troy distributed pieces of the Little People Carriage to actual Little People:


Emily drew a beautiful picture for Delaney. Here, she is describing all of it to Whitney:


Grant drew a wonderful picture as well. Here, he is showing it to everybody:


Time to decorate cookies!!! All of the kids got to put icing and sprinkles on as many cookies as they wanted! (popsicle sticks + frosting + plastic table cloth = no mess!):


Emily's cookie:


Sophie's cookie:



Singing Happy Birthday (twice...because she's two!):



I'm pretty sure we lit the candle twice as well:


Now...time for ice cream and cupcakes!:



The aftermath:



Bethany, Sophie, Delaney (distracted by new ponies) and Whitney:


Time for Round Two of presents (now that the kids have some sugar in 'em!):


"Here...mommy will help you.":


Delaney LOVES new books:


Especially Eric Carle books:


A gift from Nana and Papa:


"It's Miss PIGGY!" (The Muppet Show):


A gift from Mommy and Daddy:


Still not sure about those pedals:


Uncle Ryan, putting together Delaney's (impressive) Baby Doll Nursery Set (that's the crib):


Delaney put the baby right to sleep (such a little mama):


Checking the baby's diaper:


"cheeeeeeeeeeeeese"



Anneliese took a turn in the Puppy Pit:


Good times with big sister:


Grant and Troy tried Wii Skiing for a while:

Grant showed Troy how to make turns:


And how to jump:


And how to do tricks:


Very impressive!


Delaney changed in to her "going home outfit", and I realized I hadn't had my picture taken with the birthday girl yet:


I like to make her giggle and squirm:



Delaney put her baby in the swing:


Delaney gave her baby a push:


Time to go home. Nana helped Delaney with her shoes and socks (Delaney was not ready to go home yet):


Nana knows how to make her laugh:



"It's not nice to kick Nana..."



Kisses from mommy:


Mommy makes her giggle and squirm too:


Happy Birthday, Delaney! We still can't believe you're already TWO!: