Nana's Visit

We have been enjoying having Nana here for the past two weeks. Today is the last day with all of us here as Ian has "stinky duty day" tomorrow and Nana flies home Tuesday morning. Ian is busy cooking us breakfast so I thought I would take a moment to post some pictures. I finally pulled out the camera Friday since we decided to take the kids to the splash pad as the big boys had a day off from school due to a teacher furlough day or as Jacob so nicely told us "we don't have school tomorrow because there is not enough money for the teachers to get paid":) I really need to take the kids to the lake more often as it seriously takes longer to drive through the lake grounds to the splash pad because you have to drive 25 miles an hour for a good 3 miles than it does to get from our house to the lake and for a six dollar day use fee its soooooo worth it. Luke was very hesitant but once we held him he got into splashing and playing. Soon he is going to be toddling around and I can see him really having fun. He was not happy just sitting on the ground. I have been beyond grateful for Jeanne's help with Lucy. She is such sweet puppy but we have struggled so much with potty training. We "think" it may finally be getting through but I am too afraid to actually say it and jinx it. We can't believe Luke is 10 1/2 months. He is so funny. He is for sure a morning person. An EARLY morning person. By afternoon/eve he is not the most fun person to be around:) He is starting to let go and stand alone for short seconds. He loves to walk on his hands and feet all over the house. He is turning into a blanket boy and loves to have his thin blankets to play peek a boo and cuddle with. Something we have really noticed with him is his love for animals and their love for him. The cat who is very much a loner except for at night once the house is quiet will go out of her way to find him. He loves to crawl over to the dogs or the cat and rest his forehead on them to "hug" them. And they all tolerate him much more than I would think they would. Here are a few pictures from our trip to the splash pad and roasting of marshmallows that night. We tried a new recipe and oh my goodness was it good! Take a regular smore and add peanut butter and bananas. With or without chocolate it was heaven!

First Day of School and goings on around here...

Okay so we just technically finished the second week of school but I have yet to find a moment to get online and blog these pictures. So here we go. Both boys are enjoying school. They have both had their good and bad days but overall I think it is going to be good...I hope.

Enjoying an after school treat of homemade ice cream on the patio

And just because he is adorable:) My nine month old 22+ pound BABY.

Owen loves his puppy! and one last picture. Luke has discovered the play room (I am so glad its downstairs!) He will go find his brothers and play all on his own. I had to get a picture the other day of all of them playing together.

Meet Miss Lucy our new K9 family member

Meet Miss Lucy. Or pain in the butt as I would like to say today! I think I had a moment of insanity when I said we could get her...oy! She is ADORABLE and she is exactly what I have wanted for years. I just need to get past this puppy phase because it may kill me or her or both first!:) Here she is! If you can't tell the boys adore her. Her name comes from Jacob who wanted to name her after Lucy in Chronicles of Narnia. She thinks she is about 10 feet tall and has the attitude to boot.

We think she has some yorkshire terrier in her. She really looks a lot like a Jack Russell and Yorki mix. Who knows!

Our New Home

Two weeks ago today we closed on our very first home. What a whirlwind it has been the last two weeks. Ian and I are both exhausted and we still have unpacking, setting up and organizing to do before we can even think about the FUN stuff, ie decorating and painting! But we are in love with our new home. Even with an hour commute each way for Ian it is beyond worth it. This is our dream being fulfilled and we are very proud to be homeowners and have this beautiful home to raise our boys in. Speaking of the boys, Jacob and Nathan start school Wednesday. I think I am more ready than they are. It is better though they can go and hopefully meet some kids and it will give the kids all break from being with eachother 24/7. Ian's ship is in the yards now and will be for the remainder of the year. For now we are going to enjoy the time we have knowing there will be no long separations and enjoy fitting into our new home, neighborhood and surroundings. Here is picture overload. (disclaimer: I took these last night and this morning. The house is definitely NOT in order yet but since people have been asking...here you go)

These are looking from the front door down the hall into the house and of the front "formal living" room. For now its storage for all the boxes left with mostly pictures and a home for Ian's "babies" aka fish

The next few are from the "great" room. The kitchen, family room and dining room all open up to eachother so I tried to get it from all angles. Don't mind the crazy kids who showed up in the pictures or the disarray of toys:) You can see my pantry open from the one picture. That is just half of it. I LOVE it and can't wait to do fun things with it. To the right of the pantry you walk into a small hall with the downstairs bedroom, a bathroom with shower and then out to the garage.

Downstairs bedroom, toy room/guest room. We plan on removing the closet doors, putting up more shelving for the games/toys. Blinds still need to go up too. Don't mind the lovely paint on the bathroom we have been messing with colors and let Owen help....

If you go upstairs you drop into a loft area. We are using that as a "library" and computer area for now at least.

The laundry is at the end of the hall upstairs and the kids bedrooms are off to the right along with their bathroom, which Owen demanded needed dinosaurs. I love that they have double sinks and that the shower/toilet is separate from the sink area.

Luke's room. Don't mind the tacked up block out curtains....

Big Boy's room. Owen begged to stay with them so for now, until Luke is sleeping better (soon I pray!!) they are all three together.

Kid's bath

The master suite! We have a little retreat off our room. We want it to be a den or a "man cave" as Ian says. Our own little sitting room. The bathroom is awesome! Love that the closet is off the bath. I can't wait to paint and get furniture and all that fun stuff. Just need to find a money tree first!

My babies enjoying my bath tub!

And last but not least the back yard.

I love that its a blank slate that we can really make our own over time. I wish I had an endless amount of money so we could be in DIY heaven! For now, we are just enjoying the space! And our new puppy....more of that to come.