The kid's rooms

Time for a couple more 'before & after' pictures. Here's the kid's rooms. Yes, those butterflies in the top left picture are pretty cute, but there was no way we'd be able to fit three boys in the other bedroom. So, after much thought and prayer the butterflies were replaced with stars. The very brown smaller bedroom received some new butterfiles to make up for it, along with some dragonflies and ladybugs.

How do they keep their rooms so clean? Well, all their clothes are kept in the dressers and closet in the laundry room downstairs, all their toys are kept in the playroom and basement, that just leaves beds and a few books. We spent just a few minutes picking up books and making beds before these pictures were taken. Have I mentioned?... We love our new house.

Before & After 2

Probably one of the most dramatic changes we made was the removal of much of this wall between the dining room and our school/play/computer room. The small, doorway-size opening in the middle of all the living spaces was quite the traffic hazard, and this really opened things up. Also note how the floors now match - seamlessly.

Before & After

Here is the first before/after shot of the work that's been done around the house. The biggest change was definately the floors. This is taken from what is now the main floor laundry room, the bathroom is to the right, the school/play/computer room is to the left with the new circle rug.

Hopefully, many more to come.

We've Moved!

Sorry I don't have any pictures this time. Our computer is packed and our camera is around here somewhere. (Has anybody seen my toothbrush?) It was a crazy weekend, but thanks to a bunch of helpers all our stuff got moved to the new place. Well, except for the stuff in the shed because the shed key got packed before we got that far. :)

Lots-a-Updates

Busy, busy, busy! Wow, times right now are crazy but exciting.

Work continues on the new house. (It's kinda weird sometimes to call it the "new" house, since it was built like 80 years before our "old" house.) Here's the wall between the dining room and home-school/play room. We're expanding the doorway so mom can keep a better eye on the kids while making lunch. New laminate flooring is almost done in 2 rooms (out of 6). The new appliances have arrived and the new main-floor laundry room now has plumbing (it's waiting for gas, dryer vent, and a new vinyl floor).

Meanwhile, we celebrated Noah's 3rd birthday - the first party to take place at the new house (even though we haven't moved yet).

Isaac had a violin concert, where he got to share the stage with the older kids. He did incredibly well.

A couple weeks ago we took a "break" from all this and the 6 of us drove down to southwestern Missouri. We spent the weekend at a camp with several MOMYS families. The 9 1/2 hour drive took more like 13, but it was worth it to finally meet and spend time with some families we've been (mostly Deb) getting to know in the virtual world.

Laminate - room #1

"So, how's the house coming along?"

Glad you asked... Both grampa's have been a huge help. Painting is just about done upstairs, some major projects on the main level have started, and the first laminate floor is in process. Here's the boy's room.

We're moving to Fridley!

After a month and a half of searching and waiting in what is supposed to be a 'buyer's market' our offer on an incredible house in Fridley (one of the first we looked at back in January) has finally been accepted. We expect to move around late April or early May, depending on how long it takes to get through all this paperwork and stuff.

Check out some more pictures here.

(Guess we'll have to change the name of the blog.)