Fun and News

Promptly after moving in we traveled to AZ on a Christmas road trip.  And I will blog out of order about that trip.  But because I have been so tardy in posting, I just wanted to get some current images up for folks. 

We have been having lots of fun times in and out of our new home this winter.  Here are a few images. 

We have been enjoying ourselves and the snow at bluewood almost every weekend.  Keeping us busy but joyful because of the sun.

 We have gotten a bunch more snow down in town this year than either of the previous years.  Here is our sweet little street, Statesman. 

 Wren had a UFO photo project.  He had to take a UFO photo without altering the image after.  Dakota, of course wanted to participate so here is one of each.  Wren's first with the red, UFO.  Then Dakota's with the blue one.

 This is just pure boy fun. 

Big News: the tooth fairy visited Dakota for the first time last week.  Wow was he ever excited.

And then this week Wren visited the Orthodontic fairy and got braces.

Home

We have been in our home since December 7th when a wonderful group of friends came and helped make the big push.  Here are some images.

First Dinner: Pizza

First Fire:

We moved on a snowy winter day.  Here is this outside view in the winter.

 After moving we hosted a pizza dinner for everyone. 

 And the inside. Beginning upstairs.  Master Bedroom.

Master Bath Shower Floor

Dakota's room.

 Wren's Room

Downstairs: Dining Room

 Kitchen

Happy Family in front of the house.

Almost Home: The Inside View

Here is the inside. 

The front door is not on the house yet.  Our contractor waits until the last minute so that the subs don't ding it up.  

View of kitchen and dining room.

View of the living room.  Appliances were delivered yesterday so some are in the still in the living room.

The wood stove with slate.

 Heading up the stairs looking down at the office.

 Wren's Room

 Dakota's Room

Master Bedroom:  Our bed will be centered under these windows.

And our master bathroom.  This is the shower.

 This is the shower floor.  We are particularly proud of this.  All the stones were gathered from the rock bars on the Salmon River over the course of a number of family and work trips.

And then when we went to pick out the counter tops, we found this amazing  piece of stone.  So this is it for now.  I don't think I will post again until we have moved and maybe not until after Christmas.
 

Almost Home: The Outside View

It's been busy around here.  I realize I have not posted since September...


So here is a set of photos of the outside of the house.  It is essentially done.  Our plan is to be sleeping in our beds in the new house by the 15th of December.

Welcome to our home.  This is the front walk up to the house. In the winter you can actually see the front of the house so it was a good day to take a picture.

This is the south side.  The awning is designed to block the sun in the summer but let all the sun in during the winter months.  It is working so far.

This is our north side porch.  A place where we plan to spend many meals in the spring, summer and fall. 

This is the back stoop that faces east out of the kitchen to the linden tree.

This is the view of our "complex" from the south.  The carport has the solar panels. The house has the solar hot water heater.  We hope to paint the carport at some point to match the house which will make the whole place look better.  (A project for later.)

The Big Reveal: Exterior Paint Color

So now you get to see the colors we chose for the house.  Here they are!
We are quite happy with their combination. 

 

This is the back porch.  The painting was not quite finished in this picture but you get to see the idea of the porch.  We are so looking forward to eating many meals here.

 

And the drywallers have been busy on the inside while the painting was happening on the outside.  They have not started mudding but I think the hanging is complete.

 We have a couple places where these corbels brace a detail.  They are made of cedar so we sealed them instead of painting.  We love the way they look.

Rock Collecting

We need some rocks to build a small retaining wall.  So ever in search of a good deal, I heard that if you call the rock quarry in Milton Freewater, they will let you come on Fridays at 1:30 and hand pick your rocks for $26.00/ton.  So off Dakota and I went.  He took the pictures while I loaded .75 tons of rock.    Needless to say that my back was tired after .75 tons and it sure looked like a lot in the back of the truck.  But when I unloaded it...I assessed that I will need at least 2 more loads that size.  I think I will take Stuart with me next time.


He also got to watch a hydrolic hammer break apart rocks and a big rock loader putting big rocks into a big truck. 

Dakota always gets the most interesting perspectives of the world. 

 Here you can see me loading rocks in the mirror.

And here is the treasured big tractors working.

"Best Day Ever!"

After the first day of school.  I asked Dakota how he liked it.  "Best Day Ever!" So we went to get an ice cream!