New pictures finally posted....

As you can see by the top photo, the porch has been started. The picture is from a couple weeks ago, and as of yesterday they were able to keep going on the porch along the side of the house. More siding is done as well, than you see in the photo to the right. It's been messy out there--from rain last week to 8" of snow yesterday, it's been difficult work in those weather conditions. Unfortunately the garage doors weren't put in this past week because of some sort of miscommunication. So, apparently they'll come Monday, provided Mike has done something to the openings of where the doors will go. Mike thinks they'll work on the roof of the porch tomorrow & Monday. Not much new, since I haven't been out there since the 21st. My most recent pictures that are posted are from that day. I plan on taking a ride out there either tomorrow or Monday. Until then, Happy New Year!!

Yippee!

So I went out to the house the other day before the kids got out of school, and I was by myself. So I could really take time to walk around and look at everything. I just smiled from ear to ear the entire time. It is SO awesome. I took so many pictures, so I have to post those SOON. I was able to walk down the STAIRS into the basement--yes there are stairs!! I walked upstairs (which still freaks me out), and into the bonus room--there's not a gaping hole below to step over now when you walk into the bonus room! Mike and JP (brother in law) started siding the back of the house. I took a picture of that yesterday. Garage doors were supposed to be put in this past week, but weren't...I'll say it's because of weather, but I don't know. It's been incredibly mild, 40 degrees, so the lot is incredibly messy. Mike was up to his knees in mud. Supposed to get frigid cold tonight, though. Other things going on, still haven't finalized the front door. Well, I found the one I like, but it's a matter of us finding someone that carries it. I am supposed to have the cabinets and layout done in the kitchen, but I torn on what to do with the oven. Freestanding double oven, or built in double oven...we have to know because it changes the location of the vent for the stove or something. I just can't decide. Now I am thinking I should have a small sink on the island, too, but I think it's too late for that. I also decided to shrink the closet in the mudroom to make the cubbies bigger.

I am so excited about decorating this place, it's crazy!! I want to get a weathervane, I have a vision of what I want the kids' bathroom to look like, too. I decided I am going to frame a black and white picture of each of the kids when they were about the same age (18 months old or so) in the bath. I think I have colors of each room picked out, too. I found pillows I love for the window seat in the kitchen. After Christmas I want to go buy a bunch of lighted garland on clearance for the porch for next Christmas, and for the mantle and the staircase. Now if only we could sell our current house!!

Nothing too new...

Nothing much new to report, no new pictures. With all the snow, I haven't made the trek to the house (it would mean parking on the street and walking through the snow--we haven't plowed or shoveled of course, and my minivan would never make it into or out of the driveway with the snow!!) Even if I had been in the house in the past week, there's nothing too noticably different. Mike and his Dad did start building the basement stairs Monday night. The lumber was supposed to be delivered last week for that, but just came Monday I believe. The big thing we are waiting on now is for the excavator to come and back fill where Mike poured the footings for the porch. Another thing that was supposed to have been done last week. Oh well. I think Mike will be really irritated if it wasn't done today, seeing as he is off work tomorrow, and intended on working on the porch for the rest of the weekend! The porch hasn't been started yet other than the footings...hopefully by the end of the weekend, it might start to look like a porch : )

This week, the heating/AC and electric guys were supposed to have come in. We had a pretty big storm Tuesday, so I am guessing they haven't been out there. Mike and I are supposed to meet with the electrician next week to talk about where everything will go--talk about tedious! Every outlet, every light switch, every outside light...it will take some good thinking to make sure switches are in good places! We will just be sure to have plenty of outlets in every room to make it easy.

Garage doors were ordered last week, also. They will be installed next week. They are very much like the ones in the new picture I posted (sorry, I can't figure out how to make it bigger!)

I am pretty sure I have changed my mind on the front door. While I absolutely love the doors with oval shaped glass or stained glass, I am just not sure it'll fit the house. If it was more Victorian, I don't think it would be a question. The one door I found is much simpler, to go with the rest of the house. I don't know if I can upload a picture, but I will try... I actually saw the door in a house magazine I have, and it's also on a door of a new house down the street from the new house. I just am so stuck on what color of a door to have. I love the dark stained doors but white might be better on our house?? Mike says I should be good at this kind of stuff...he says it should be like scrapbooking on a bigger level! If only I could look at it that way!

All windows are in!

It was incredibly messy Saturday--we were hit with winter weather around lunchtime: snow, sleet, rain, ice. Mike, his Dad, Brother, and Brother-in-law worked quickly to get the remaining windows in. They did it, but not without getting soaked in the process! But, it's done. All windows are officially in the house, and they look beautiful!! I am so happy with the great room window. From the outside the windows look smaller than they are, especially the great room window. But I took a picture of Maddie by the window, and it's no small window!! (I have to upload those pics yet to the computer!) The siding was delivered, but the weather made it impossible to begin. and yesterday, Sunday, it poured for a good hour. Just a messy weekend. There was plenty of inside work for the guys to stay busy with, though.

So today garage doors have to be picked out and ordered. I'm pretty sure on what I want--I want the doors that look like they open like barn doors (there's a groove down the middle to make it look that way). I believe the name for them is carriage house doors. Also have to finalize the front door. That's a tough one, I have a couple in mind. I also want a screen door--you know, the kind like I think I've seen in "The Wizard of Oz"--an old looking, wooden one that makes lots of noise : ) Once the garage doors and the front door is put on, the house can be locked up. I guess we've had some nosy neighbors, so it'll be nice to close it up. That way too, hopefully the guys will be able to leave some stuff out there. As of now, Mike hauls tools, etc every time he goes out there, and empties the truck when he gets back home.