Time to catch up!!

I don't even know where to start! It has been almost 2 months since my last update, and there are so many things to catch up on! I hardly know where to begin ....

The big move took place on Halloween weekend. Overall the move went ok, and the unpacking went pretty quickly (I think). We are still working on a few things, but overall we are settled in nicely, and very happy with our new home! The kids were able to Trick-or-Treat in Eldridge and then got to spend the weekend with Grandma & Grandpa. They had a good time, but all were anxious to get into their new house & their new bedrooms.

Katie & Jacob are now riding the bus to school. They just walk down the hill a short way to the bust stop. They get dropped off in the same place in the afternoon. Both of them think it is fun, and luckily it's only about a 10 minute ride.

Emily is now attending a preschool here in Clinton. She's having a great time, and is so excited to share her day's activities with everyone. She has watched the other kids tell us about their days for SO long, and she is bubbling over to tell each of us what a great day SHE has had. It's priceless!!

We spent Thanksgiving in Eldridge & Davenport visiting both of our families. We just were not ready to host our first holiday at that time. That night we made our annual trip to the Festival of Trees where we all had a great time. It has turned into a tradition for us, and it always helps get me into the spirit of the season. Not that it's hard for me, since Christmas is my favorite time of year, but it sure helps!!

December has been full of activity already. My dad's birthday, Christmas shopping, our 13th wedding anniversary, Christmas decorating, more shopping, baking, planning, parties, etc.

But today was the biggest for our Katie. Today is Katie's 8th birthday! It is so hard to believe that our firstborn is now a very grown up eight year old girl. Yesterday we had a party for her friends & classmates at the bowling alley. Overall I think it was a success, and a great time was had by all. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SWEET GIRL!!

Pumpkin Patch

Today we took our annual trip to the pumpkin patch. Here are a few photos ... I have also updated the gallery album with more pictures of the house. We are moving in October 29th! YAY!! I will be in Clinton every day this week, so I should be able to get more pictures up as things keep moving along! Click HERE to view the photos.

House update

Well, the word is that our new home will be finished by October 15th! That is only 2 weeks after the original date our builder was shooting for! YAY!!! Things are really coming along.

This week will be full of activity. The flooring installation begins, light fixtures will be delivered (& I assume start being installed), walls will be painted, and if I'm not mistaken kitchen and bathroom cabinets are coming too!

Sometimes, I still can't believe that this is where we are going to live! Even as we walk through the house, select finishes, discuss furniture placement, and plan everything else ... it still feels like a dream. We have truly been blessed!

More construction pictures have been added to the online album, and hopefully there will be even more after this week! Click here to view the progress!

Facebook

Well, I'm not really sure how it happened, but I joined the world of Face Book today! In less than an hour, I already have 3 friends (all people I graduated with). Just what I needed ... another addiction!! Anyway, one of my friends is now a cartoonist, and offers a free daily cartoon you can add to your blog! Thanks, Mark!! I always thought Mark was funny (and sweet) in high school, and his cartoons show he is still funny today. Check out his work on the right. >>> >>> >>> >>> Oh, and if you are on Face Book too, look me up!! :)

House Pictures

It has come to my attention that I have not sent out enough house updates recently. My apologies to those who are wondering what's going on!!

This past week the plumbing, electrical, HVAC, and roof have all been finished. Now, this coming week the insulation guys come, and by the end of the week we should start seeing drywall! Things are really moving along.

We are still hoping to be in by the first couple weeks in October. Hard to believe!! We went to a neighborhood cookout yesterday and got to meet most of the people in our development. They are a really wonderful group, and they consider themselves more of a family, than just neighbors. We have already gotten a warm welcome, and we're looking forward to getting to know everyone better in the coming months. I'm posting a link here to the online gallery I started with pictures of the house. Be aware that this album contains all of the pictures from start to finish, so if you have looked at it already, you might want to start from the end and go backwards! Enjoy! Gallery Album Link