Old vs. New

It has been 3 weeks since we moved into our new house. We are still getting settled in and have many projects that we need/want to do. One of the projects that was just finished was staining and putting polyurethane on the front door. The house has a gorgeous alder front door but it was very faded and weathered. A new coat of stain and a few topcoats and it looks amazing again. I have been REALLY missing the old neighborhood. Not so much the old house, but just the neighborhood, the friends we had, and the old times. The new neighborhood seems to be older families or people who have children that are older and moved out. Once this weather warms up I really hope I can find and make some new friends around here. I am kinda lonely. We are getting used to the drive. With gas prices so crazy and adding another 20 miles round trip to yourdaily commute, you notice the gastank going empty much sooner. It is to early to really say, but hopefully the choice we made was right for us and a good one. Right now, not so sure. Still hasn't really sunk in, and at this point we can't turn back time.

Took the girls over to the pond that is by our house. they loved it of course. Lots of little perks :)

Had to throw in a few pics of Kinlees cute artwork. I love it!

Bye Bye House

This post is being written now because who knows when I will have time in the next few weeks to actually get around to it.

Someone asked me today if I was going to miss our house. Well, to be honest with you, at the moment, that answer is no. More than anything I will miss the neighbors and the neighborhood. This was our first home together. We built it, saved for it, and it was an 8 month process. I remember when Derk and I put the yard in, we were digging trenches with pick axes and it was so hot. Everytime we would swing the ax we would hit a rock. I was getting so mad I wanted to hit Derk over the head with it :) Oh the fun times. I think I painted the bathroom 4 different times, never found the right color, and after all that work, put it back to its original color. Derk and I are very social people and met many of our friends and neighbors by going for walks around the block. Funny how it turned into SO many meaningful friendships. We always said we lucked out by the lot we chose to build on. We have been surrounded by wonderful people and have enjoyed more than anything watching all the kids around grow up.

Summertime is the best time. When you go outside, there are people out everywhere. In this neighborhood, nobody gets to much use out of the backyard, all the action happens out front. You go out in the front lawn and before you know it 3 sets of neighbors are over talking. It has been amazing. Everyone is there for each other, looks out for everyone, and is friends. I will be sad to leave all of these wonderful people, AND who knows, come moving day, I may actually shed a few tears for our first house and all the memories, good and bad that we have had here. It would have been 7 years in May.

Brightyn at 18 months

Things have been so crazy lately with packing and house stuff that I completely forgot to post about Brightyn at 18 months.

Stats:

Weight: 22 pounds (more than a pound bigger than Kinlee was at this age)
Height: 33 1/2 inches (over an inch taller than Kinlee was at this age)

When I had her in for her wellcheck appt., the Dr. asked me if she was saying at least 10-15 words. I kind of laughed to myself, she says WAY more than that.

Here is a list of some things she can say, I am sure I have left out lots of things.
I see you, I need that, I love you, thank you, I want out, Almost the entire song of twinkle twinkle little star, monkey, fork, hat, hair, brush, sissy, kinlee, mom, dad, eat, noodle, otter pop, cat, doggie, banana (nana), poop, light, goodnight, poptart, belly, bye bye, binky, chip, little, cheese, hot dog, earring (earna), me, jump, please, candy, beep beep, baby, bath... the list goes on. It's like once they start they never stop :)

She LOVES Barney and Elmo. Loves Dora. Such a girly girl. She gets so excited to have her toenails painted and holds perfectly still while I paint them. Her new thing is "me". If you ask who farted she proudly admits "me"! She is not much a of a napper, and is an early riser. Makes for a long day sometimes...

Christmas 2010

Not feeling to red hot right now as I am blogging. Making it short and sweet. Hope everyone had a fun Christmas!

Brightyn LOVES to play in the dishwasher

McDermaid Family Party
Trying to get a picture with all the Great Grandkids = impossible
Pictures for Santa
Oma's House Christmas Eve
Reindeer Food :)
Before:
During:
After:
Grandma Karins and Papa Franks
The End.

Winter Fun

Here is a little of what we have been up to lately. I thought we had a crazy busy summer, but winter seems to have kept us busy as well.

Here is our annual visit downtown to see the lights. Not sure what was up that night with all the fog.

"Ugly Sweater" get together. Thanks Linds and Ry for having us all over. We love you guys!

Night out with Viv and Randy. Went to Olive Garden for dinner, and to see the lights (again:) We had a blast!

Christmas Party at Grandma and Grandpa McDermaids. The kids as Santa arrived.

Parker

Dawson

Kinlee

Jagger

Brightyn

The end