Grandma's B-Day and Tree Decorating

Although I didn't get any pictures of her cake we did in fact celebrate mom's b-day at our house. It was fun to have mom and dad here, we got to play some games, eat cake, and decorate the Christmas tree.

Delayna spent more time dancing then decorating and she did teach dad a few moves...it was very cute. She loves her Grandpa.

Mom and Dad Visit

I got lucky because mom and dad decided to come up on Sunday for mom's b-day and stay Monday and help me with the house. We got a lot done...a lot more to do but it is looking sooo sooo sooo much better. Amazing what clean walls will do.
Oh if only you had seen the stove before we cleaned it...holy moly. After pulling out the stove and seeing what was under it we decided it was nice that we were replacing the floor because we just cut that piece out and threw it away.... and the stove looks brand new now. YEAH!!!! Mom and I spent all day in the kitchen and no it wasn't done but every inch of that room was scrubbed and wipe with disinfected over and over again. The lazy Susans (aka Helpful Heidi's) were removed scrubbed and painted and look brand new. So fun to see if now.
Alyssa and Sara showed up after school to help out a bit.
Dad getting all the measurements for me so I can start ordering things. That should be fun...I'm so good at making decisions.

Work Day One

My Enthusiastic teenage help.....Alyssa's friend Sara has been very fun in sharing Alyssa's excitement...at the moment she intends on helping us get the house done. They were ready to go today so in an effort to not scare them away at the beginning I gave them some fun jobs to do. All of the outlet/light covers are removing bagged and labeled. The doors are off and ready to clean and paint....and the last thing we did before we left was start the bug bombs. I didn't really see many spiders but they are always hiding and I figured now is probably a good time to do it.

We Finally Did It!!!

We closed on our house yesterday!!! YEAH!!! It feels like it has been a long time coming...(FYI Molly I actually didn't buy a house in hopes that I would follow your example and find a nice man afterwards...I figure we both can't be that lucky :O) Although I tell you what... after thinking of all the work I need to do it wouldn't be a bad plan to have one around :O)

Here's an outside shot...yeah it's from this summer but I didn't get an outside shot yesterday because it was dark when we got the keys. I am taking lots of picture so I can remember when I am done with all the work just how much I did and how much more fantasmigorical (that word is for Nick) it is. I know these aren't probably the most exciting pictures but they are going to be our story so here you go.
Yesterday morning I did the final walk through and signed the papers, then went to work to help with end of the month stuff. And as always when I go in on my day off to help I end up getting stuck longer than intended, it's always hey Kristin could you draw some blood before you go...we just got three admits can you put the orders in to the computer before you go...so about 2:45 when Alyssa was out of school I got a phone call, "WHERE ARE YOU? DO YOU HAVE THE KEYS? I WANT TO SEE MY HOUSE" Yeah she was excited.

My Realtor called and said he'd drop the keys off a little after six...about 15 after I thought Alyssa was going to lose it.

We finally got he keys and headed over to take a look. It turned out that every time I had gone to look at it she was in school so she actually never saw the inside until the house was ours.

First time in the house...and yes the lock box is still on there...they need to get it off.

Yes she really was that excited....it was so fun walking around with her...

Welcome to our home

The Living Room (Even though there are no doors aka walls like at mom and dad's home this will be the quite room...no w) :O)
The Dining Room (Sorry Max...they took the doggy door)

Kitchen (Yeah it's small we'll have to have the big family meals at Alyson's house)

Family Room

Study

Basement Bathroom

Stairs going up

Alyssa's Bathroom
Alyssa contemplating how she is going to decorate the bathroom

Alyssa's Bedroom

Guest Bedroom
Master Bedroom and Bath

Alyssa coveting my closet

Laundry Room

Garage
For those of you wondering and I'm sure there are some of you :O) I have not been able to try the u turn in the 3 car garage yet because there has been garbage in the garage but I will let you know how it turns out :O)

I had to take close ups of some of the yuckiness so I can really really appreciate out job when it is done. I have to tell you though this a good teaching experience. I've already been able to talk to Alyssa about why it really is important to keep the house clean.

This one just doesn't capture the depth of dust accumulated up here

I hate and I know that's strong word but I really do hate sliding shower doors...they are so gross and hard to clean even when you try and take care of it...this one is leaving us.

Pre-Thanksgiving

Although I didn't get to be with everyone for Thanksgiving I did get to see most everyone a few days before. I didn't do a very good job of taking pictures....I'm hoping I will get some sent to me from others that snapped some pictures....Here are a few I did get

As much as I hate to admit it...yes he beat us playing dominoes.

Mom and Dad brought some entertainment for the kids to play while at Grandma's house...it was very smart.

Delayna's Party

Here's what Delayna was doing while the rest of the kids were having their lemonade shooter....isn't she cute (if you don't know what I'm talking about you will have to read my previous post)
I should let Alyson post these but then I'd have to transfer them to her computer and all that jazz so here you go.

OK so the party was a little late but she's two and doesn't know that difference. Since she asks for cookies everyday Mike made cookies instead of cake.