Tokens and Frozen 2

I decided we needed to get something in place to get the girls motivated and back on track since we have moved. We have had a few hiccups getting settled and I was hoping the tokens would be just the right thing. So I took the girls and let them pick out jars and then one evening we decorated them. We decided how much certain acts would be worth both in the positive and negative and we were off. 

The girls were really excited for Frozen 2 to come out and we started our token jars about 10 days before. They each had to earn a certain number of tokens to be able to go, a certain number for treats and popcorn, and a certain number for dinner before the movie. Hallie even earned enough to bring a friend along. The movie was definitely not a disappointment. There is a lot of wisdom in the movie that I think few kids catch but the adults were all getting it. It had such a positive message and the girls have wanted to see it over and over.

Liam was a little wiggly at time but for the most part he seemed to enjoy the movie as well

So far the tokens have worked well and been well worth it but now comes the challenging part...staying caught up with the process. Wish us luck

6264 E Summit Cove-Clearing Trees

After getting a quote for $13000 to clear the trees I convinced Matt to buy a chainsaw and for us to try and get some of the work done on our own. Lucky for me he was on board. So Saturday morning he ran to Home Depot and I got the kids ready. This was totally what I had been looking forward to. Getting involved in starting our next dream. Gracie was so cute as we started she said, "Now the dream begins." The kids were all very helpful in their own ways. They all took turn chasing Liam around in his walker all bundled up.

This is what we started with

This was about half way thru. Liam got tired so I took all the kids home to put him down and get everyone fed. After I got him to sleep I left Gracie with him and Hallie and Emy came back with me to the lot. We cleared several more trees while Gracie watched a sleeping Liam. This was really the first time I had realized how convenient it was going to be being so close to the condo.

The girls were seriously so much help. Matt would cut the branches down and they drug branches to the pile and I would throw them in. We had an awesome little system going. This is what I want building this house to be a team effort for our family home.

Look at that pile of branches. We loaded all we could into Matt's truck but we probably would need 4-5 more trucks to get it all. If we can get it done before the snow comes we may rent a chipper and a trailer and mulch the rest of them.

Removing quite a few of the trees opened up the view a ton it was crazy and super exciting.

We got just over half way on the Box Elder trees and we're unsure if we can handle doing the choke cherry bushes since they are so dense and thorny. We don't want to get any one hurt so we will just have to start and see how it goes but it was a lot of fun and I really enjoyed working together and seeing the progress.

A 1st Time for Everything, Grandparents Day, & Setting up Christmas

I have always been amazed and pleased that none of our girls have cut their own hair but Emy put and end to that. She came down and was crying the other day that she had made a mistake and cut her own hair. We talked about it and made an appt to see our hair dresser. It really was pretty discrete so thank heavens for that and hopefully we never have to deal with that again

We got a big snow storm the day of the girls Grandparents Day so Joy and Kerry were unable to get here so in an attempt to make the girl feel less bad. Emy, Liam, and I joined the girls for lunch.

After we got home we decided with the weather outside feeling like Christmas we should make the inside look festive too. We used our smaller tree since the ceiling require that in the condo. Emy loved the pine cones and sparkles in the tree and I loved that it was prelit and didn't need much fluffing.

Liam would pull the elf legs out of the tree as fast as Emy would put them in. It almost became a game

I love the simplicity of life and the ability to just live life a day at a time and some days have no where to go and just enjoy the time with our kids.

Day at the Zoo

A couple weeks ago I heard an announcement about how the zoo was doing free admission on Wednesday for the rest of the year. The girls have always loved the zoo and Liam had never been so we decided to go. We went later in the afternoon hoping to avoid most of the crowd. Boy was that a mistake. I thought surely with only 1 hour left til closing the crowds would be dying down. When we got there the line to park was about a half a mile long and we drove around for 20 minutes looking for a parking spot. It was more than a little ridiculous. But we did find one and went to enjoy the zoo for the hour we had left. The girls immediately saw a peacock and had to follow them around. They wander throughout the zoo

Then we headed for the lions but first a picture at the iconic lion drinking fountain

We made our way around and still there were so many people.

We attempted to take a picture with all the girls on the elephant but they didn't quite fit comfortably

By the time closing came around Emy was done initially but we talked her into being in our group picture but we got no smile

Next time I think I'd prefer to pay to get in and not battle the crowds but never the less it was a good day together

Jazz Game Date Night

I finally got to attend a Jazz game with Matt. It was so fun to just spend time with him. The couple we went with was a very well off and seemed to spend most of the night complaining about how too many people were invited to eat in the VIP area and there wasn't enough seating, and the food they served wasn't very good quality. Then during the game they both played on their phones and watched other games while the Jazz players were literally 10-15 feet from us. It made me sad and Matt and I had a conversation on the way home about how we hope we never get to the point that we don't enjoy what's right in front of us. It was an eye opening experience and one that I hope to not soon forget. I love this man and all the growing we have done together and still will continue to do.

 

Liam-11 Months

This little guy is growing and changing so quickly. He is sleeping great at night(12 hrs plus some nights more). He usually has 2 naps during the day that total between 3 and 4 hours. Those breaks from his busyness are nice. He likes having a bottle before he goes to sleep. We bundle him then give him a bottle and lay him down awake. Sometimes he cries for a few minutes but he does pretty good figuring it out.

We have found that Liam LOVES taco soup. He will double fist it when eating. It's such a mess but we just have bath time after

This little guy has gotten so he is in everything and exploring all of the time. Unfortunately that included his first time falling down the stairs.

He loves tub time. He can crawl at lightening speed. It took a minute for him to get crawling but now that he is mobile he has never looked back. He has started waving, climbing stairs, and walking on furniture. He says mama, dada, and baba for his bottle. He has become very aware when mom and dad aren't around and has major separation anxiety. 

This little dude brings so much happiness into our lives he is the perfect caboose for our family. I can't believe next month he will be a year old.

6185 E Hawks Lane

On June 12, 2019 we put our home on the market in hopes of doubling the money we put into it and using it to build again in the Valley. It has been hard to have showings but I have relaxed quite a bit from the last time and so that has made it so much easier. Matt took all the pictures of the exterior and then Angel from Sold By An Angel sent her person to take the interior ones. I love how they turned out and we will treasure them when we, one day, look back on them.
 

Basement Family Room

Master Closet

Game Room

Emery's Room

Master Bedroom

Basement Family Room

Master Bathroom

Liam's Bedroom

Family Room

Hallie's Bedroom

Basement Bathroom

  
Entry

Half Bath Off Laundry Room

Upstair Bathroom

Main Floor Laundry Room

Basement Guest Bedroom

Basement Bathroom

Main Floor Family Room

Basement Playroom

Kitchen

Dining

Gracie's Room

Master Bathroom

Kitchen

We got our first offer on 8/19 and after a little back and forth on 8/24 for 817,000. Here is the breakdown as to where that leaves us. It definitely feel surreal. I love this house but we couldn't save that much money in a very long time and the idea of building again sounds so fun. I guess we will see.

After we came to an agreement Angel sent us these chocolates to celebrate!

On Aug 27th we put an offer on a lot that we have had our eyes on for a long time. We thought that 1143 Innsbruck Dr. would be our new home but with an asking price of 250,000 for 1.3 acres. We decided we would go as high as 220,000 but the seller wasn't having so we moved on. So we went back to the drawing board. We looked at lots in and out of the Valley and felt strongly like we're supposed to stay here. We debated about moving to the other side of the lake but after looking and talking to the kids we all decided that the Huntsville side is where we should be. Something Gracie said really stuck with me when we were discussing the options. She said I like having space and not a lot of neighbors because her favorite time was time with just our family. It sealed the deal for me. On 9/4 we offered 158,800 on a 1.2 acre lot that was owner by America First Credit Union. It is just up the road from the Innsbruck lot and in a gated community. We didn't think they would accept and prepared ourselves for a counter offer but it never came and they accepted our offer! So we are now looking for a rental. The couple buying our home is an older couple from California. They close on their home in California on Oct 25th so we will close on Oct 31st and move Nov 2nd.

Closing Day

Matt was out of town so it was up to me and the kids to get everything signed and closed. Matt had signed a power of attorney before he left so I could sign everything for both of us....it was a lot of signing!

Then moving day came on Nov 1st and officially on Nov 2nd. My parents, Nic, and Matt and I had moved pretty much all of the boxes and gotten unpacked on Friday so on Saturday when we had the help we pretty much just moved the big stuff. Amy kept the kids...which was amazing so we could focus on moving. It was cold but we had a bunch of help we got it done in a couple hours. Once we packed our decor the house no longer felt like ours. It was strange and sad all at the same time. This move has really made me realize that what makes a house a home is the people and things that live in it. Now on to the next adventure. Hopefully all goes well.