New House

I had to start off with an amphibian, it just doesn't feel right otherwise :-) This was the last catch at our old house, the kids will miss foraging in the backyard woods. I will miss that and the fence that made it worry-free.

We moved a little over a week ago. The packing, moving, unpacking, redecorating were exhausting and not fun but the kids were very good. Friends watched the kids while we moved the fragile kitchen stuff and pictures over the night before and they also watched them the next morning for the move. We really have an amazing ward- they moved us completely out and in within two hours. Now that we're mostly settled, I thought I'd give the long-awaited tour. Walking in the front door, there is our piano room to one side (we'll get furniture someday) And the yet-to-be-finished library. Ignore the boxes of books.

We haven't used those drapes since we lived by ASU and used one of them to cover a door. That first place was 600 sq feet and we feel so blessed to have more space now for our family. So here's the view from the front door up the stairs.

The family room, eating area, and kitchen are one big tall room. I really like the open layout.

One word: island! This kitchen was made for cooking! :-)

Family room (that actually fits both of our green couches! We rescued the second green couch from it's year long confinement in the server cave at Jim's office) This third bedroom is going to be the "parent cave" (and Jacob's nap room). We will have all the fun stuff like my sewing machine, our paints, and guitars here where the kids can't get them but we can still enjoy them.

Walking from the parent cave to the other two bedrooms upstairs (master is downstairs)

Nicole and Michael's room is painted dark blue and has glow in the dark stars all around the ceiling as well as the planets hanging down. The previous renters left them there and we love it! Toy room! I was going to clean it, but I thought a little reality doesn't hurt anyone. Yes, this is what it usually looks like. I've decided to clean it with the kids once a week and close the door the rest of the time. Their rooms I ask to be clean each morning...but the playroom I let slide. What's it for if not for all the fun kid messes!

Backyard. Still getting used to this and figuring out how to make this work without a fence. Fortunately it has been so hot nobody really wants to go outside anways :-) That's okay, they still love exploring the house and running in circles (this is the first place we've lived that has that loop of rooms they can run in a circle through). We love the home and the extra space. It's three minutes from Jim's work, we couldn't live much closer so that's another perk. Still really close to the temple and now even closer to the main roads and shopping center. The community has a pool, a lake with a paved walking trail, and a great playground. Sorry no pictures of us, we've been so busy. Hope you like the home...you're welcome to come visit!! :-)