The Best Part

There are lots of pictures I could and probably will eventually post about our new home.  But for right now, this is the most enjoyable part and the main reason we decided to venture across the street and build.

A place where the kids could imagine,

run, play ball, 

and climb trees!

We LOVE the open space, trickling creek, and most of all...privacy...of our back yard.  After the nightmare of trying to grow grass at our old house through the process of two hydroseeds and 2 drillings, we weren't the least bit enthusiastic about establishing a new lawn.  However, we're happy to peer out the back windows and look at a nearly full lawn after just 5 weeks!  Two words...SPRINKLER SYSTEM!  We would gladly become spokespeople for the company!!!

Progress

Our computer died and all of the "in progress" pictures are on that hard drive, which was able to be recovered...just didn't have it handy to update.  We're nearing the end of construction on our house and the excitement is growing.  Here's a little glimpse of the main living space we'll soon be inhabiting.

This is a view of the double sided fireplace from the front door.  Although the space isn't quite as large as we had envisioned on the blueprint, the precious sunroom on the other side makes up for it!

Here's another view standing at the top of the steps.  As you can see, I'm not quite sure what's going on that wall besides a TV.  Let's just say there's a lot of space to decorate!

If you turn around and look to the front door you can see we have about 18 1/2 foot ceilings in this room.  Hmmm, who is going to be changing those light bulbs?

 Just to the left of the living room is our kitchen and dining space.  The set of three windows looks onto the deck and back yard.  I can hardly wait to watch the deer and other wildlife down the by the crick as we eat.  Now, of course I won't be admiring those same creatures as they feast on my garden next summer!

6 Years Later

You know your kids are growing up fast when you compare two nearly identical pictures, spaced six years apart!

 We've gone from a 6, 3, and 5 month old to...

a 12, 9, and 6 year old!

There were no strollers, diaper bags, or bottles on this trip to the zoo.  The kids roamed freely, reading the map as we went and directing us to the next adventure.  

We did spend $6 to feed the giraffes (which by the way have the longest tongues ever) and $15 for a 2 minute camel ride!  Man, kids get expensive the older they get.

The boys had a whole new perspective on the zoo and it was fun to watch them explore and learn.

What a difference 6 years makes!

Out Our Back Door

What started as just a hole in the snow covered ground with barren trees in March,

and turned into the first story within a few weeks,

followed shortly by the second story, 

and topped with shingles and a fresh layer of snow on May Day,

is our new home!

We can't wait to enjoy this great backyard!  More details to come.

Another Year Gone By...

Well, it hasn't been a year since my last post, although seven months have passed!  Three handsome young men have turned another year older in our house and with each year, our schedule gets just a little bit more hectic full.  

Way back in January, Connor William turned 9!  Not sure why my children tend to be shirtless in a lot of pictures, but I'm thinking we were having cake after supper and baths!

Connor and his buddies from school and wrestling enjoyed an afternoon of bowling to celebrate in style.

Owen turned 6 in April and picked out a yummy Scratch cupcake for his treat.  This little guy keeps us on our toes with his sense of humor and nonstop talking!

Owen and his buddies celebrated at the inflatable park and mastered getting 5 kids on one tire swing!  I'm pretty sure that was probably against the rules.

Finally, Mason turned 12 at the end of April!  Baseball was already in full swing by this time, so we haven't had time for a friend party yet.  However, Mason has big plans for the lake with a few friends!

Thankful #9

So, I'm a couple of days behind, but that doesn't mean I'm not thankful!  Today, I'm thankful for youthful innocence.  As I was getting ready yesterday, Owen joined me in the bathroom and asked what I was doing.  I replied, "Putting on my makeup."  He questioned this action, "Why do you have to do that?" Of course after repeating this same action daily for the last 25+ years, I said, "It's just something girls do to look nice."  With the sweetest voice he said, "But you're already beautiful mom!"  The pure innocence of a 5 year old who loves his mom!

The kind young man himself!

Thankful #8

I'm thankful for the 19 smiling faces who greet me each morning!  What can we say...our future is so bright, we have to wear shades!