We got inside...

Master Bedroom

Guest Bath

Kitchen - Todd's kicking the cabinets! :-)

Kitchen Island

View from the Great Room

So we went out yesterday and got to see the semi-finished state of the house. We are getting pretty excited - they said hopefully by the end of the month! :-) Here are some pictures of the inside and from the inside looking out. We also met another set of the neighbors - they seem very nice...although it sounds like we've moved into a retirement area - didn't know those existed in rural Oracle!??!

The cabin has arrived!

so - does it look like it's leaning a little bit?!?! :-)

So - on Friday our manufactured home was delivered to our property! It was really fun to watch them manuever the two sections around 2 hair pin turns and up to the pad...let me just say...these drivers are GOOD! We can hardly wait for it to get all hooked up and the inside finished so we can officially call it complete! Here are a few pictures of the move and with the two pieces sitting side by side...they were in the process of connecting the halves when we left Friday afternoon.

Soccer...soccer...soccer!

The boys started soccer games this morning. It was so fun to watch them both learn the game.

Ryan plays U6 (4 & 5 year-olds), has a lavendar uniform, is #9 team name: purple dragons, plays 3-on-3, has 4 - 5min quarters.

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Jack plays U8 (6 & 7 year-olds), has orange and black uniforms (w/white socks??), is #10, team name: speeding bullets (parents liked smashing pumpkins or flaming balls - but thought inappropriate for the team banner :-) ), plays 6-on-6 with longer quarters and half time.

Both boys really enjoy it and run a lot! This morning Jack scored a goal - although Grandpa described it as Jack dragged the opposing team (who had the ball) through the goal post. And, Ryan had an assist to the one goal his team scored! Both boys are the tallest on their team - and therefore got the biggest uniforms - if you're wondering why they look so big! The weather was great - overcast w/sprinkles...reminded us a little of Oregon soccer!

Losing an incredible Mother, Grandmother and Friend

I haven't blogged for awhile, mostly because we were dealing with the loss of Todd's Mom. It came on very suddenly, but the cancer returned and ravaged her bone marrow - we lost her within 4 days of learning that her cancer had returned. Since her death on August 24th, we have been dealing with the affects on the children, ourselves and Jim by spending a lot of time together. She was a brave, incredibly giving woman - who battled this cancer for 10 years, enduring countless treatments and 2 stem cell transplants. We find some peace in knowing that those years she spent here with us have provided us many, many special memories. The woman known to us as Grandma Jane, Mom and my friend is dearly missed.

Here are a few pictures from some of the fun and special memories we have with Grandma Jane.

And after school pics..

FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL!

So, Ryan started kindergarten today and Jack headed off to 2nd grade! Both came home w/a thumbs up and saying it was a "GREAT" day...as a parent, you can't ask for more...can you?!!? They seemed happy and tired! Here we are on our way to school...

Surprise...Todd turns 40...well almost

Today we had a surprise 40th birthday party for Todd (even though his b-day isn't until Wed). I'm still not sure if it was truly a surprise...but at the very least it was a lot of fun! Some pictures of the "birthday suit" Todd had to wear...along w/a toast from Jim and pictures of the cake - that Jane had made along w/some really lovely 40th gifts from a friend (ie. ensure, preparation H and some reading glasses). All-in-all a really fun afternoon!