Our humble abode...

I keep telling my family I will put pictures of our home on my blog before today it would have taken me hours because of slow internet. Thanks to our local Charter cable company, we now have high speed internet and it's fabulous, so I posted a lot of pics. Mostly for our family and friends that won't make it up here for a while. I think it's easier to picture where someone is when you know what it actually looks like so here you go!

We snapped a few shots on the road as we were on our way up. Usually 16+ hours of driving with 3 small kids = disaster but our kids did so good. Probably because we stopped enough times for them to get out and burn off some energy....probably why it took us 16+ hours to get here!

Maggie was so excited to be in her new "snow house" as she calls it because we told her it would snow here. As soon as her toys were unpacked she got right into her dress up stuff as you can plainly see.

This is a picture of our back yard. The steps in the middle go up to the horse corral and barn. It's totally a hill but it's beautiful and the kids figured out that rolling down it is pretty fun. Every evening we have at least 5-10 cottontail bunnies come back there and eat.

The barn that sits back yonder on the property, too bad we don't have horses up here but it makes for great extra storage!

This picture is looking at the back of the house from on top of the hill in back, we love that the concrete goes all the way around the house, it's perfect for the kids to ride their bikes and scooters.

The mornings here are amazing, a nice cool breeze and the kids can't get enough of being out back...thankfully.

This is our little orchard. We have 3 apple trees, a pear tree, apricot and peach. Yummy! I can't wait until those apples are ready! The fence you see is where the hot tub is, how fun is that? We always wanted one!

This is our front deck that is right outside the office. Since I didn't have a kitchen table for a few days we just ate out here and it is completely peaceful and you can't beat the view! I actually feel guilty eating inside when the weather is so nice outside, it's almost a crime to not take advantage of it.

My mom was so helpful in so many ways(thanks mom!) and one of them was that she would go outside with the kids and play. Here they are in the side yard making roads and tracks for Lucas' cars

Miss Violet just might be a tomboy, she loves playing with Lucas and all of his cars. I always find her in his room playing with his stuff and she loves to say "car!"

Of course Maggie is as sweet as can be and she loves to pose for the camera

I think these two can bond on the fact that they both love popcorn. I think it's so cute. Violet will follow Maggie to wherever she takes the bowl of popcorn and plop herself down and go to town

Enjoying some morning toast!

Here is the view of the kitchen from the office

Same view just to the left, sorry about the clutter on the counters

Russ-man in his new home office

Strike a pose

Doing what he loves. It's interesting that in Mesa I could not get this kid to pedal himself in the trike but as soon as we got here I swear the boy is on it whenever he can be.

Our cute little fireplace wall. I love the brick, this house has so many little details that give it so much character. The office is behind this wall and the kitchen to the right.

This is from the same spot as I took the last picture but facing the other way. It's a great room with plenty of space for the kids to run around and has a huge wall with windows that look out the front. Right behind the couches is the stairs that go down to the front door.

I'm in love with the closet. I didn't even have to bring our dresser up here because all of our stuff fits in here! Maybe we won't be late for church now that I can see all my shoes and not have to waste time looking for that darn one that is always in the dark corner of your closet!

My side of the bathroom. I love having my own side, no offense Russell, I know how you love to brush your teeth with me at the same time...lol!

This is our room, still a little barren but I'm so excited to decorate this baby to the nines. Now that I actually have space to do something fun, I can't wait.

The girls room is so cute, unfortunately two of the walls are slump block since it's in the basement but it's cute anyway.

This is our room again, we have our own little deck that looks out over the front and side of the house. I love how much natural light I can get in here!

Ahhh, my new table that I love. I'm so afraid to eat at it because I don't want to get anything on it or scratch it, how lame I know but we've never had a new table before!

Lucas has a cute little cowboy room, I took this picture before I hung all of his stuff up but it is so cute and he loves it.

I forgot to take a picture of the front of the house so I will do that soon. I also didn't take one of the guest/play/exercise room but maybe I will someday. We already feel so at home here and are definitely loving the weather. It's supposed to be only 84 degrees tomorrow! I can't believe it....just wait until winter, I'm gonna die....either that or get fat because I'll be inside eating cookies and hot chocolate! We'll see.....