So, We Bought A House Today...

 I don't think I've written here that we decided that instead of just doing the easy thing and buying a house in Boise, Idaho, we'd hire someone to build one!  

This is what our lives have looked like for most of the summer. Jeff, me and usually my mom looking at house plans, making decisions and planning, planning, planning. 

  It's no easy thing, building a house hundreds of miles away from where it will be but thanks to our friends, Tara and Dave Neilson (they convinced us to move there in the first place, along with a lot of prayers of course), we had weekly updates and all the pictures we could ask for.

Finally today, the house is done and it is ours!  I don't have all-the-way-done pictures yet (I'll take some when we get there next week) but these will be nice to remember and will give you an idea.  

 Looking down from the second floor

 The view from the back...the main reason we decided on this plot.  I hope that neighbor never moves and always keeps his yard looking that awesome.

 Entry way view

 So excited to have a fireplace, even more excited that we will be there in time to hang stockings on it this year! :)

 Most exciting thing about the kitchen?  Subway tiles!  Least exciting thing, counter tops.  We just couldn't stomach spending double what we should on counter tops through the builder.  My plan is to redo all of the dark counter tops in  a deep walnut and then do a nice marble looking slate/quartz for the light counter tops...someday!  Until then, I think they look fine.

2nd most exciting thing(s) about the kitchen: window cabinets and walk-in pantry!

 My favorite thing about the outside = SHAKES...love them.  I used to dream of a house with shakes when I was in Connecticut and Rhode Island.  I just love the texture and depth.  Oh, and notice the bottom window in the right hand side of your screen.  That's the window seat we had put in...so glad we did that.

 Master bathroom...don't know what was going on with that drawer on the right and have no clue what I'm going to do with the space in the middle. :)

There are many more photos but they are all in PDF form so I'll have to do a house tour when we get there.  I must say that it is all such a dream right now and I can't believe we are actually going to live here.  But we are...next week!

In the meantime, I'd better get back to packing!

P.S. My parents have been so amazing through this whole process.  They have loved us and taken care of our girls while we traveled to and from Boise to make important decisions, spent long hours helping us make plans and listened to endless conversations about kitchen cabinets, paint colors, etc. Oh yeah and WE HAVE BEEN LIVING WITH THEM FOR ALMOST 9 MONTHS!  That was definitely not our plan when we came but none of this could have ever happened without that fact.  Their support, love and confident encouragement have really made this dream of ours come true.

More to come!

November Outfit of the Month...and Huge November Deals

“When all the leaves are off the boughs,

And nuts and apples gathered in,

And cornstalks waiting for the cows,

And pumpkins safe in barn and bin,

Then Mother says, "My children dear,

The fields are brown, and autumn flies;

Thanksgiving Day is very near,

And we must make thanksgiving pies!"

-Author Unknown

I will be posting a little update about our new home but wanted to let you know that I will doing the majority of the holiday discounts this month as we will be moving to another state in December.  My hope is to have most of the Christmas orders done before we go.  So to encourage you, we have some FABULOUS discounts this month.  Take a look!

• All Print-it-Yourself packages will come with THREE outfit lines of your choice (just indicate what you'd like in your "notes to merchant" section, yes this includes party packages).
• All Print-it-Yourself party packages come with THREE extra dolls (eight dolls total) plus THREE outfit lines (this is a great way to cover a lot of little girls/boys gifts...even if you don't do a party).
• All Print-it-Yourself outfits are buy one get one (of equal or lesser value) free (again just mention this email in the "notes to merchant" section and let me know which outfit you'd like for free).
• All printed products shop wide are 25% off (just type NOVEMBER1 in the discount section as you check out, this includes everything that is printed and shipped to you).
• If your subscription to the Outfit of the Month is expiring, make any purchase (even just an outfit line) and mention this email for a FREE one year membership for another year!

The Necessary Halloween Report

Candy was gathered (first time for all three girls...twins loved it, Norah was done after the first four houses).

The Family Photo....DONE (even though it is a horrible photo) Jeff, Ollie and Me = Popeye, Olive Oyl and Swea'Pea.  The girls= Princesses, of course.

Twins, such gracious little princesses...Who is that crazy kid in the corner?

Oh, Norah.  She is the two-iest two year old I've ever known (and I've known some)!
She loved her dress, hated her gloves.

Great Grandma checking them all out. :)

Hope your night was full of fun! Happy Halloween 2011.