Getting Closer...

One of the first things we did after arriving home in Utah was to go check out the progress on the house.  We didn't expect too much because of Christmas and New Years.  We were so excited to see the lighting fixtures installed!  They also were finishing our garage (that somehow got forgotten) with trim and paint.  We found one error while there as well.  I had requested a can light over the sink and they initially installed the fixture, but then when we got there, noticed that someone had patched the space and closed it up...Kind of a dumb thing to do since it IS listed on the electrical plans and it was there initially!  Oh well, that shouldn't hold us up too long, just glad we can go there regularly to catch any errors and get them fixed quicker.

This is the lighting fixture in the entry...I can't wait to see it all spread out with bulbs in it!

These are the lights that are over our island.  There is supposed to be a third one yet at the other end.  We also have a bunch of can lights in the kitchen.  In the photo below, you can see the patch where they removed my can over the sink.  Why do men think they know what's best for a women in her kitchen?  You can tell this was removed by a man who has never attempted scrubbing pots and pans in the evening and become frustrated because her body is creating the shadow over her work space!  It was there for a reason - plus we PAID for it to be there!  (sorry for the rant...it's just been one of those days around here)

You can see where the under cabinet lighting will eventually go by the wires hanging down.  I also had to convince Andy to splurge on the cabinetry at the stove...it bumps out and has spindles on the sides.  The same thing will be repeated at the ends of the countertop on the island.

This is where my double ovens will be...I had them in our last house and love it!  So much cheaper to heat up one smaller convection oven instead of a huge one for everyday use.

This is the solution to my pantry woes in Florida.  We had a beautiful 4 bedroom home (with a 5th br option) and a TINY pantry.  Who designed that?  Probably a relative of the guy who took out my sink light!  This pantry will have MORE than enough space.

Look familiar?  It's similar, but not the same as my nook lighting from Pa and Fl.  Those two were exactly the same.  I happen to like this one a little better.

We should have no problem seeing in our family room.  Tons of can lights, eyeballs at the fireplace and a beautiful ceiling fan.

I can't wait for them to finish the spindles on the stairs.  Riley and Kendall were running around upstairs and the area at the top landing is a great space for someone to fall head first down to the tile floor below.  Needless to say, I have tiny freak outs while we're upstairs.

Countertops are being made - they created the template while we were gone.  Hoping to see them the beginning of next week.  It's coming together...they need to install counter tops, plumbing fixtures, carpet, stain the floors and then some odds and ends and we can move in!  We're in the home stretch now...Still working on patience, but the closer we get, the more anxious we all become!

Hay Fever

While we were in Pennsylvania, we wanted to introduce Kendall to Aunt Jenn's horse Tessie.  Riley loves seeing Tess.  He's ridden her numerous times with Jenn, but refused to sit on her solo this trip.  Tessie has even been to two of Riley's birthday parties in the past offering rides to his friends.  Kendall loved seeing her and all the cats at the barn!  I wasn't sure if she'd freak out over Tessie's enormous size or fall in love with her.

Aunts, and Uncles and Cousins, Oh My!

My cousin Jon and his wife Laura invited all of the Hershock Clan over to their house for brunch while we were home.  Just our luck, my other cousin Lori who just had a baby about 9 months ago and lives in Wyoming was able to come home for a visit.  Her husband wasn't able to join us, and neither was my brother and his family, but other than that, we had the whole crew together.  What a treat that was for us!  I got to visit with aunt, uncles and cousins!

Jenna is showing Kendall one of her presents.

Jenna showing Kendall another present.

Jon getting some snuggle time with Kendall

Baby Madison loved playing with Riley.  She kept trying to push him over.  He was so good with her and really enjoyed the time together.  She's a real doll!

My beautiful little "niece."  (My cousins are all elevated to Aunt and Uncle status)

Madison having fun pushing Riley over!

Madison playing with Riley's new truck

Aunt Lori getting some snuggle time with Kendall.

Uncle Jon tickling Riley

Toys and Joys

Oh to be a kid again!  Our kids were so excited Christmas morning.  I wish I could have bottled that joy and saved some for those dreary days when we need some Christmas joy.  Santa delivered the kids' gifts on the 24th since we were leaving later that day for Pennsylvania.  Sissy received a pink "princess" tent that she spent most of the morning playing in with her toys.  Both kids love to go in it and laugh together - in fact that's where they are right now!  The kids played with their new toys while Andy and I finished packing up the loose ends before we headed out to the airport.  We were very fortunate that we were able to spend time with much of our families and friends during our short visit.  We saw all of my cousins including Lori and her precious Madison!  What a treat that was to get all of us together at Jon and Laura's for brunch!  We spent some time with Andy's sister Jenn which was wonderful to catch up and let the kids enjoy her.

The best part for me was to be able to spend some quality time with my oldest and dearest friend Beth.  She and I both have 5 yr. old boys who are such good friends.  They see each other so seldom these days, but when we get them together, they pick up right where they left off...just like she and I do!  We took the kids to an indoor play area to burn off some energy, then dropped them all off at their grandparents while the two of us went out for lunch.  What a wonderful treat to be able to have a conversation without little people interrupting.

My other friend Chris organized a dinner with some of my friends from the school where I use to work.  We all met for dinner and drinks and what a great time we had!  We were so loud (and obnoxious) that they put us in a private room and shut the door!  I miss everyone so much and I'm so thankful that I got to see them during this trip.

Jackpot!

Riley pretends to be a cheetah so Santa found him a cheetah shirt!

This year, Riley ripped open each gift and then played with them once each one was unwrapped...in years past he'd want to play with them immediately after he unwrapped them.

Santa brought Sissy a puppy to help her learn her body parts and colors.

This was her favorite present...she came across it by stepping on the present and hearing Elmo's voice from inside.  Otherwise we would have had to help her be interested in unwrapping it.

She knows he's in there somewhere.

Ahh!  Success!  She loves this toy!

Riley's favorite garbage truck.  What kid wants a garbage truck?  This is the second year he's asked for one so Santa finally decided to bring him one.

K enjoying some snuggling with Aunt Jenn on Christmas day.

Riley got his first watch.  Now we'll have to teach him to tell time the "old fashioned" way!

That's my girl - going for the sweets!

Daddy is such a tease.  She loved his lollipop and made her work for each and every lick!

He's really not putting her in a choke hold!

Kendall loved Grammy's Christmas  tree.  Once she checked it out, she pretty much left it alone.  Thank goodness!

My handsome little man.

Progress Is A Great Thing...

The kids and I headed over to the house today because Andy said there was a chance the cabinet guys might get there to start installing...What a surprise when we entered the house!  Not only had they started, but had completed installing ALL the cabinets in our new home!  The painting is completed and the stain is on the railings!  Still waiting for the hardwood floors to be stained, but what a transformation in a short period of time!

This is our foyer area.  The front door is to the left of the picture.

You can see in this picture how the stairs go over into the kitchen or you can turn and go upstairs.  The dining room is to the left of the railing.

I love this fireplace in the living room!!!

This was the best surprise all day!  Kitchen cabinets!  There is currently no lighting in the home, so the color isn't perfect in the pics, but it's a cherry color.  Look Kev - the grout and tile look awesome!

This is the entryway from the garage.  This bench is right inside the door.

Across from the bench is the laundry room.  This is the one place where I question our decisions...I think when this one was made I was taking care of a cranky baby...the door opens towards the cabinets in the laundry...Not our smartest move, but if that's the only issue, I guess it's not so bad.

This is the rest of the laundry room.  My W/D will go here and the cabinets are to the left.  There is space to the right where I plan to hang a bar so I can air dry clothes.

This is where "the magic" will happen!  Ha!  Just trying to sound corny like they use to on MTV Cribs!  I love the double doors into our bedroom as well as them being two panels.

These are our bathroom cabinets.

Here is Sissy checking out the new 7' tub!  I'm a tubby girl myself, so I wanted a big tub (and a large hot water heater) so I can relax from the stress of raising our two rugrats with bubbles, glass of wine and a good book!  ;)

This is the kids' bathroom.  Their cabinets and the picture below is of their tub...I have a feeling they will end up in our tub more than their own!

This is looking down from the top of the stairs into the dining room.  You can see they started to install the spindles for the railing.

Here you can see into the foyer and living room.

We are all so excited to be able to move in!!!!