Almost

It's been a loooooong road.  This house building project has been really dragging along, as most of you have either heard, seen, whispered about behind our backs, etc...  ;)

BUT...I can see a tiny glimmer of a light at the end of the VERY long tunnel.  And, hopefully, this train is FINALLY going in the right direction.  Otherwise, I may jump!  Stay tuned...

Say it isn't so!!

I don't know how it happened, but my baby girl is 11!  It's weird because I'm still 29.  ;)

There has always been something extra special about my little angel-kissed redhead, and as she gets older, she just gets better!  She is charming, funny, extremely talented, sensitive, kind...I could go on and on.  I can't wait to see the amazing things she does with her life.

Happy birthday ya-ya!  You are the light of my life!!

Big Five

I'm in love with a boy.

He's a bit younger than I am.

In fact, he just turned 5.

Isn't he handsome?

Happy birthday Connor man. I love you to the moon and back!!

Yellow

Ian started karate when we moved to Mountain Green. He had been begging me for about a year, so we finally made it happen. His instructor is great and Ian is loving every minute of it.

He recently took the test for his yellow belt, and I don't mind saying that he was kindof a rockstar.

Way to go Ian!!

Get 'er done.

So, our house got off to a slow start. We started digging in late August and it sorta went at a turtle's pace from there...a nearly dead turtle with three legs.

Fast forward to January (although there was nothing fast about it) and we are trucking now, people! This is a pic of the goings-on at the house yesterday. There were actually 5, count 'em 5, different subs busily at work...at the same time!! Yep, you heard it right, we are FINALLY in the business of home building. And it feels fab.

If you want my two cents...and you probably don't but it's my blog so whatevs...it is looking great.

Oh, and here's a sneak peak at the brick that stumped the world. Well, maybe not the world, but a lifelong brick mason from little ole' UT. His exact words were, "...in my 37 years of laying brick, I've never laid anything like this."

Cheers to us for being different. It's gonna be SUWEET!!!!

She Came. She Saw. She Danced...

...and she loved every second of it.

Nutcracker 2011 has come and gone, but sadly the bags under my eyes have not (gone, that is). Elise played the part of an angel this year. Totally fitting, right?!? She had a great time! The hours were long, the dressing rooms were funky (smelling), the costs were...well...not minimal...but the memories were priceless and will be cherished forever. Elise is becoming a beautiful little ballerina, and as much work it is to be the chauffeur/chaperone/hair and makeup stylist/financial backer/etc..., I wouldn't change it for the world because it makes my little girl's heart sing.

And that, my friends, is worth it's weight in gold!

I love ya, sister. Dance on!!

Dang Near Done.

OK...not really. Not even kindof. But that's what it looks like through the eyes of a 7-year old. Ian is presently telling everyone who cares (and some who don't) that our house is almost finished. Oh, how would it be to be a child again...where everything is so simple, and if you have walls of wood on your new house...then...well...it's dang near done!! :)

Oh man, I wish I had a dog.

Happy Halloween, yo!!

We're Being Framed!

...and I couldn't be happier. :)

Tuesday quack up

Saw this on a friend's blog and it made me laugh. Out loud. :)

It's Getting Hot in Here...

I know, I know...enough with the cheesy song references (or inappropriate ones, in this case). I can't help it! Apparently, building a house makes me want to break into song.

What you are looking at is radiant heat flooring, baby!! And, the best part is, since we had some FABULOUS friends and family help put it in, we just saved some serious greenage! Chris and the guys worked super hard to get this done...working until dark, in fact. I really wish I had a pic of Chris wearing his sexy head lamp. You will just have to use your imagination on that one...but don't get carried away, he's a married man, ya know!!.

Now, when The Littles are frolicking about in the ICE Club, their tootsies will be nice and warm. What's the ICE Club, you ask? It is what they have cleverly named the basement (aka their living quarters) using each of their initials. And yes...of course they will be allowed upstairs...occasionally...for good behavior. I'm not a monster, after all.

PS - Stay tuned for the next post. We should be starting the framing this week. Meanwhile, I will searching for a song about...well...wood, I suppose. :)

Mr. BIG Stuff

This guy has been very busy! He started preschool AND soccer this past week. He is loving it...especially the soccer. He has only been asking to play for two years now. I'm so excited for him with all of his adventures this year. I'm sad, though, because it also means my wing man is growing up.

Teacher Sherrie

Could ya bite him?!?

Have fun, little buddy. Oh....and pencil in some snuggle time with mom, will ya??

I Feel a Song Coming On

Our hole is quickly shaping into somewhat of a dwelling. YAY!!!

I'm not gonna lie, I have the strong urge to sing when I look at it. Would it be wrong to break into a verse of How Firm a Foundation? How 'bout The Wise Man and the Foolish Man? Feel free to join in.

Progress.

Can ya dig it?

We can. And so we shall.

Hangin' with my Peeps

What: A chicken

Where: In our front yard

Why: Cuz we be livin' in the country, yo.

Cuz everybody poops

Yup...that's the site of our future home. Yup...that's our new potty.

This business just got serious.

NEWs

New duds. New kicks. New city. New school. New school year. New adventures.

Hmmm... I just got the urge to say Happy New Year.

OK, it passed.

Ticket to Ride

Hands and arms inside the ride at all times...and HERE WE GO!!!

A few days ago, I (along with the Hubs, of course) became the proud owner of......

THIS.

Yep, you are seeing it right. It's a patch of very statuesque weeds (in front of a BEAUTIFUL hillside...unfortunately not mine). Try to contain your envy, it doesn't become you.

Anywho, we expect to have this puppy cleaned up soon, and maybe...just maybe...evolve into the proud owners of a big fat hole in the ground before the school year begins.

Stay tuned...

...and, seriously...enough with the jealousy. Get your own patch of weeds!