A few more weeks to go and then we'll be in!

Oh gosh it's been so long since I've been on here.  Life is so busy.  It's so much easier to text, instagram, or facebook pictures.  Silly!  I have always said I like to keep up on this blog because my children read it, and love to look through the pictures.  So really, it's a journal for them. 

Back to the house.  We are planning to move in January 16th ish...please Lord! It has been a different 6 months living out of town, and everywhere I typically need to go(kids' school, practice, dance, nutcracker rehearsal, grocery, bank) is so inconvenient compared to where we are currently living.  It takes me 20 minutes to pack up the car when we head in, and at least that amount of time when we get back.  Just those little things I am totally OVER!  I am way too type A for this type of living ;)The kids did have an amazing summer out at the lake, a major bonus for them.

Shane has worked his tail off on our new home.  I am so thankful for him, he is one of the hardest working husbands/fathers I know.  He has provided so much for us!  Yesterday was exactly 1 year ago when we stumbled upon the lot.  I will always say, because it is absolutely the truth, that God orchestrated this entire chapter.  It's definitely one of those times in life when you just know, you feel his hand in the entire process, so the glory goes to him.  He has given us a major gift, and blessed us abundantly with this gift. This is going to be a special home, one which we plan to live in for many many...many years.  Everything about the house and lot is very functional, there is no wasted space, it's beautiful, and has some fun and unique additions that we together thought were a good idea this time around.

Here are some pictures of the progress.  These pictures are quite old, from the beginning, phase 1, 2, & 3.  Fast forwarding to now, all flooring, except carpet is in, cabinets in, mill work being installed and detailed...yeah!!! I will take some pictures of the interior next so stay tuned. So much more to post!


Breaking ground!

 

The day we started framing!!!



Roof & Trusses



Windows in and porch columns built

A very Golden 6th BiRtHdAy!

This is what happens to a boy who has an older sister :)

My sweet, most favorite small boy turned 6 back in September. Yep, quite behind on this blogging stuff. 

It was Nolan's GOLDEN  birthday this year, so special.  So we headed over to Seattle to see my cousin, tinker around in Seattle, and Nolan went to a Mariners game on his golden birthday with his Daddy and his uncle Brock. 

We skipped out on school that day.  Had a super healthy(not) breakfast, donuts(Nolan's request) and then headed to the west side.  When we got to Colleen's she had pizza, salad, cupcakes for Nolan(with a picture of him on top, picture below), she made it very special for him.

The next morning we went to Alki beach, had pumpkin spice lattes, steamers for the kids, and for lunch went to a fish and chipper near the water.  It was perfect.  A special, fun, and very memorable birthday weekend for my little buddy.  He enjoys Brock so much, it was funny the morning we left for the beach he saw that Brock had a WSU Cougars shirt on so Nolan wanted to wear his too, he never let go of his hand, and when we drove around he wanted to ride with Brock & Colleen.

Nolan is in all day Kindergarten this year...sigh :(  I sure miss him!  He loves school though.  He is very comfortable there which makes me happy.  He is learning so much, and growing up way too fast.  Nolan is such a tenderheart.  He is also FULL of energy.  He gets his wiggles out by playing soccer, and just recently started wrestling and loves it, wait, L-O-V-E-S it!  He had a takedown tournament at Gonzaga Prep last weekend and made it to the finals.  I never would have thought he'd ask to wrestle.  But I am really happy he did.  He is having so much fun, and we love watching him!  It brings back memories of watching my brothers Joe and Jeff when they wrestled.  It's intense, the one on one sports.  These kids are definitely in the spotlight which I thought would bother Nolan, but it so far has not.  We are thrilled he has found something he really likes.  I am sure he will try many other things as he moves through life. 

He is a lover, still gives me hugs and kisses in front of his friends at school(thank God) can't imagine when this ends...maybe he won't ever care and always hug and kiss his mama ;) I love his snuggles. He makes us laugh all of the time, he's a stinker!  He will say things to me like, "you're a small mom, but you're a good mom" Haha...  During his last haircut he asked to trade his soft, perfectly straight, shaggy blond hair in for a blue mohawk.  Uh, no way, not yet!  I am in love with his hair, and snuffleupagus eyelashes, they go hand in hand. 

Dr. Suess Oh, the places you'll Go! comes to mind when I think of Nolan and his bright future~ whatever that looks like for him.
"You're off to great places!
Today is your day!
Your mountain is waiting.,
So...get on you way!"

"Oh the places you'll go! There is fun to be!
There are points to be scored.  There are games to be won.
And the magical things you can do with that ball
will make you the winning-est winner of all.

"Out there can happen, and frequently do,
To people as brainy and footsy as you.
And when things start to happen, don't worry, don't stew.
Just go right along, you'll start happening too."

"Kid, you'll move mountains."
-Dr. Suess, Oh, the Places You'll Go!

I LOVE YOU NJP!  Or like you would say...I love you to the moon, to the moon to the moon, and back back back back!


1st day of school

 



Family Day at Alki beach

I love this picture, he's thinking and so watchful. The picture below one of my favorites too. My children adore Auntie Colleen & Uncle Brock!

 

 





 

 



BiRtHdAy morning goodness! He was happy about his donuts, Curious George, & Ice Cream Maker(magic)

 

 

 

 

 



A couple of very special BiRtHdAyS!

First Leo turned 2!  This little boy is so dreamy, in many ways!  He wants to be a big boy so badly!
Tries his hardest to keep up with his big sister and brother daily.  He tells everyone "I'm a big boy".
~He still remains our pickiest eater, worst sleeper*Uh still hasn't slept through the night...like never! Leo is one of the funniest little people on the planet, and even laughs at himself, he thinks he's hilarious.  He is so happy HAPPY!  Loves to give and receive hugs & kisses. Talks our ears off.  Is obsessed with anything that has a motor, but especially lawnmowers, blowers and his Papa Walker's motorcycles, and airplane.  Likes piggy back rides.  Has a sweet tooth.  Still has spiral curly hair, buttermilk breath, and baby soft skin.  He is very much baby...yet BiG boy at the same time. 

Leo James is truly the butter on my bread, the cheese on my crackers, the wind in my sails.  We are so in love with this small boy!  Oh he was very much into eating goldfish crackers so we had a goldfish themed small birthday party for him.  Was cute, simple and fun!  Hard to believe my baby is 2!

Next up, Noodle girls 9th birthday...9!  She keep reminding Shane & I that this is the last year of a single digit :*( so sad!  She is growing up so fast!  She remains to be a natural little mama and caregiver.  Take very good care of her little brothers.  I would be lying if I said they got along perfect...because they don't, well she and Leo do, but Nolan & Liv are starting to get under one anothers skin.  To be expected at their ages.  Nonetheless they would be lost without each other. 
Hard to believe she will be a 4th grader in two weeks! 
*OLIVIA=SO CREATIVE, LOVE LOVE LOVES MUSIC! Playing her guitar, singing, writing music, constantly writing songs.  Let me not forget DANCING! She makes things out of duck tape, loves to do nail art on herself, and anyone else who is wiling to let her paint their nails.  This summer she has learned to kayak, board behind the boat, she loves going on walks, taking long bike rides, tubing, and will tinker around doing yard work with her Gam for hours!  She is a beautiful little girl, growing up incredibly fast!  The theme of her party this year was One Direction.  It was also the first all girl party she had, just few of her closest friends.  Was different not having loads of our family and friends to celebrate.  It was a fun and cute party.  The girls tubed, went swimming, had a BBQ, danced, karaoked, jumped on the trampoline and watched Flicka, it was special and FUN!  The highlight was having her BFFFFFFFF...Ella Bean for a sleepover after the party.  These two girls love each other so much and I am so thankful they have each other, and care so much for one another. They have known each other since they were tiny baby girls and have so much fun together!

Have always taken Liv's birthday picture on our front porch...but since we've moved and this summer we spend our days in our bathing suits...this was how it was done.  Liv in her suit on her birthday ;)

Next up~Nolan's BiRtHdAy! July, August & September Birthday celebrations make for a busy summer!