one week later...

One week after the move; we've gotten the majority of the boxes unloaded The garage has some random stuff in it still to find a "home" for, but no biggie. Last weekend we stopped into Ikea; we needed something to put silverware in. For some reason they didn't design the kitchen with a drawer wide enough. So, we found these:

Functional and they look appealing. We made another visit to Ikea yesterday. We got a clothes sorter for the laundry room and a new pair of kitchen tongs. Very exciting (HA!) But really, they were good prices for everything. We're still debating on which file cabinet and bed side tables we want. It's so fun to look at all the dream kitchens they have there. Maybe someday that makeover can happen...

I also got to hang some pictures and put some decorative items on our built-in bookcase shelves. It's coming together slowly. David leaves for AT this Wednesday for 17 days, and during that time I hope to remove the wallpaper border in Ashley's room, prime and paint. Plenty to do!

Relocated!!

Well, we survived the big move day with no broken furniture and only a few minor scrapes and cuts! Of course, Saturday had to be hot, but we made it. Moving cannot go without a hitch, however. Our phone was supposed to be transferred on Friday by 5 p.m. At 6 pm it still wasn't working at the new house. So I had no phone and no internet (DSL) for about 24 hours; I thought I was living in the dark ages again! Thankfully the library is now in walking distance; I made a stop to check my e-mail. Saturday night we got a welcomed reprieve from moving and attended a fellow guardsman's going away party. Well, he lives in Bloomington. We were just finished eating and the wind kicked up about 5 notches and we decided we had better go...Except the storm was moving east and we had to travel east. While going though Bloomington, we saw the hail that collected on the ground----it was CRAZY, it looked like it had snowed! Sunday we got the last of our stuff from our townhouse; it looked so weird empty.

Congratulations-

• Krista & Tom on your new beautiful daughter, Syndney Noelle. What a cutie pie! I think I'm a bit biased though! I can't wait to meet her!
• Carrie & Corey on the purchase of their new home! And congratulations to Corey on his new job.
  I am so happy for all of you! xoxoxox
  

it is really REAL

We signed our closing papers today; so it's really REALLY our house! WOO HOO! Besides buying the house, we have slowly been accumulating things for the new house; although some are more functional than fun. For example, our shiny new ladder and lawn mower. We also found a great patio set (pretty cheap) to dine outside on the deck. Sunday we'll slowly start moving boxes and smaller items over. Of course, its supposed to be hot that day. At least I'm not pregnant during this move, unlike the last one. When I come up for air I will post photos, soon.

house countdown

Spring (finally!) made its arrival. Now we get to the point where it becomes too warm in the house but I will not cave and turn on the A.C. It becomes a difficult battle in our house; because we face southwest and get all that afternoon sun. I've taken down our drapes which blocked out some of that heat.
I wish I could be working on stuff in our new yard. One week and one day to go! That's when we can "officially" be in the house, and we will make the transition over a week. The girls are looking forward to their own yard again, David & I are looking forward to our own 4 walls.... Sounds like a small perk, but we've been in multiple-housing for our entire marriage. (3 locations) The navy housing was the worse. Now we will have no houses directly in front or back of us...and a privacy fence in the back. Sounds very tranquil to me. I can't wait!

so precious....

This past Saturday was Amanda's First Communion. It was so freaking windy and cold, but still a very special day. Amanda wore the same dress that Ashley did, made by my mom. The service was beautiful; I had tears streaming a few times. This is a very big milestone; two years of classes to get us to this point. Not to mention that David was actually here to celebrate his little girl's day. My mom, dad, aunt Mary, Carrie, Krista, David and myself attended the service, while Ashley was back here handling the two 2 1/2 year olds. Afterwards we came back to our place for dinner, DQ cake and presents. It was fun to see Abby and Nathan play; and they look so much alike they could be siblings instead of cousins. We hope to have a play date again with him next week. So thanks to dad for the great pictures; I just had to post a few.

I don't get it! (yet)

I've always wanted to learn how to crochet. My husband's late grandmother made those killer, ever-lasting washcloths and hot pads. She also made us a beautiful blanket. If at 96 (and half-blind) she could do it, I should be able to...Enter over-experienced crocheter, MOM. Somehow mom and Ashley got talking about crafts, and next thing we know, she was teaching Ashley. -I've had the yarn and hooks for about a year, just sitting here. Ashley picked it up pretty quickly, and before long she had a few different stitches down. Then came me. I had read Crocheting for Dummies, but easier to learn with a person. I get the idea, I just can't coordinate my hands quite right yet. Maybe having a little less wine (mom too) would help during the next session. I think we were laughing so hard we were crying; because I make things harder than they need to be. Mom said she won't give up on me until I've learned; hopefully that will be before she leaves!

We ran to the store yesterday. When we got back Abby, mom and Amanda went in the house. I propped the door open so I could bring in the bags, and the next thing I knew, Abby ran outside in the rain, in her socks...So I chase her down the driveway and carry her back. I was laughing so hard I couldn't catch my breath. Well, she had fun anyway. Maybe the next time it rains, we'll put her new pink rubber boots and pink raincoat on and let her splash around.

cheesecake heaven

We met our friends for dinner in St. Paul, and then came back to our place for dessert. They treated us to an indulgent cheesecake from Cafe Latte' on Grand Ave. I kid you not, this was the best cheesecake I've ever had! It was not overly rich like most cheesecake, but very light and creamy. The best part was the sugar-cookie crust; YUM! I guess Rachael Ray has visited there on one of her shows. I will have to go and check it out! Then they insisted on leaving the remaining pieces for us; this could be dangerous! Anyone in the area up for coffee and cheesecake??!!
AND, to top the day off, the sellers of our new house bought a house and we're all set! YEAH! We have our inspection on Monday, so here we go!