We've been deceivingly quiet trying to complete our latest project.  Anddddd, Handy Andy has done it again.  He's so good to me.

Our indoor dining space is super small and our circle of Wichita friends is growing (yipee! everyone should move here, btw) so we really wanted to add some outdoor dining space to our backyard so we could accommodate better.  

So, Andrew built this amazing cedar outdoor table that we debuted on Saturday night.

 The table was a success, my next day wasn't.  Blah.  

And as amazing as the table is, something else stole the show.  Hello, Tex Winter Winchell.  Holy cuteness.  (Excuse Franklin's huge schnoz in the way.)

 I want another puppy!  No I don't.  Yes I do.  No.  Yes.  No.

 He and Franklin were hilarious together.  Tex is fearless.  Franklin is fearful.  

He doesn't know what to do with him, except smell his tiny tushy over and over.  

 

 Here's to more fun nights outside this summer.  

 And, please don't let Andrew be mad that when I put this pot on the table it left a ring of scratches.  Eeeehhhh.

I have agreed to run a 10k.  I have to share that with you or else I will back out...because I hate running.

Laura and Lora used peer pressure to make me do this.  I'm trying to see the positives - I'll run father than I've ever run before (that actually sounds like a negative), maybe I will trim up for swimsuit season, I just got new running shoes - now they will be put to use, etc.  

To keep myself motivated, I downloaded the Nike GPS app to track my distance, pace, time, etc.  I have to say, for not being a runner, I love it.  

And, I think I'm going to buy myself this dainty necklace.

I find myself repeating what my yoga instructor says a lot - nothing lasts forever - while I'm either dragging Franklin or he's dragging me during our runs.  I have a feeling I'll probably say that 10 times tomorrow when I do my long run for the week - 3.5 miles.  I'm already dreading it.  

Maybe I should buy myself that necklace as a halfway-done-training congrats?

I'm ready if Will and Kate ring to have tea.  Or more realistically, I'm ready to host a fancy dinner party.  

All thanks to my Aunt Jan, (the lovely lady on the right).

She's always such a giving and thoughtful person, and this time she's outdone herself.  She gifted me her entire china set.  And this isn't just a salad and dinner plate combo.  It's complete with service for twelve on top of all the extras - a tea pot, sugar and cream combo, gravy boat and so much more.  I can't hardly believe my fortune and her generosity!  

 I purposely didn't register for china because we needed sooo many other things when Andrew and I got married, plus my mom is the keeper of two sets of family china at the moment so I thought surely one day one of those heirlooms would be passed on to me.  

(Okay, I hoped this would happen and that I wouldn't have to fight my sister for it - let's get real.)

But, then my aunt emailed me and asked so nonchalantly if I would want her set.  Ummmm.  Yes.

And the cherry on top is that I was just struggling so much to decorate our family room built-ins until this came along.  Part of it was that I'm trying to lighten and brighten the room so I kept trying to add white frames or white accents, and they just got lost against the white beadboard.  So, once the china arrived, I painted the back of the cabinet a soft creamy gray, and it subtly improved everything.  

I'll admit, it's probably not the most traditional place to store china, 

but I'm working with the space we have and bonus points for not having empty shelves anymore.

I do think once I buy the rug I have picked out for this room and get our horse chair recovered, everything will come together a bit better.  

 I'm not completely sold on the top row arrangement.  

Love the stacks of the cups and saucers, but I'd like to have a bit more variation in height before I'm totally done.

So, there you have it.  We're officially fancy.  Like so fancy you have to hold your pinky finger up when you come over for tea and scones.

Don't worry.  Your invite is in the mail.

We are coming off of a #27 high.  Menards, a new home improvement store in Wichita, hosted Jordy Nelson to sign autographs for their grand opening.  I stood in line for over two hours while Andrew picked up supplies for our next project, but it was totally worth it.  (Side note - the store on the west side of town hosted a KU player and didn't have near the crowd from tonight.  K-Staters really are the best fans.)

I love Jordy.  So does Andrew.  As we were heading to the store, I questioned why we didn't name Franklin Jordy instead.  Or Nelson.  He is totally a Nelson.  Not going to lie, I have wondered if I should name my first born Jordy.  But Jordy Moore just doesn't do it for me.  Jordy Dawson however... (I'm just saying, Chris and Lauren...).

He is such a great Midwestern kid, with an amazing story and seems still so down to Earth.  Love Jordy.  Go Cats.