We bought a house!

Joel and I are homeowners! We can hardly believe it! We started house hunting a little earlier than planned because a house came on the market that we really wanted to look at. We didn't end up getting that one because it wasn't quite right for us, but our realtor continued to show us houses and we found one that we decided would be perfect for our family. We put on offer on it, and we closed March 13, 2013!! It's got four bedrooms and three bathrooms. 2180 sq. ft. And a big back yard!

After we closed the real work began. It was back and forth between the apartment and the house for weeks. First cleaning and general projects, then painting and carpet. It was a long month between closing and moving in, but it's all been worth it. We're not even close to done with the work we want to do, on the whole, but we got a lot done, and we actually get to live in our house! Here are a few before and after shots of some of the work we've done.

Here are the befores: Living room

Close up of the mantle and fireplace

The hall upstairs.

Family room in the basement.

Another view of the family room in the basement.

The kitchen.

The dining room.

Jenna's room, which is in the basement.

Another view of Jenna's room.

And the after shots!  Jenna's room.

Another view of Jenna's room.

The family room in the basement.

Another shot of the family room.

The hall upstairs (before we put the doors back on the closet at the end)

The living room.

Closer shot of the mantle.

Kitchen.

Dining room.

So there's some evidence of the work we've been doing! I was also excited to find a larger table (larger than our old one) and five chairs for $150!  They are even in pretty good condition. It's been great to eat at the table all together with the food in the middle. We haven't put the food on the table in years! Literally! We're also really loving the bar and our new bar stools. And I'm loving my kitchen in general.

We're also really enjoying having more space. Audrey has her own room now and I think we're both sleeping better at night. The back yard has been fun, when the weather is nice enough to enjoy it. We recently got out there are started raking, etc. It's going to take some doing to whip things into shape, but we've enjoyed doing it.

Some other things that have happened in the last few months: our anniversary. Joel and I have been married for eleven years now! We were able to get out for a date of dinner and a movie. We watched "The Host" in Rock Springs. It was also my birthday recently and Joel got me a grain mill! I am so happy to have it! We even got a smaller hand crank mill that will be great if we even need flour when there's no power, or if I just need a small amount.

Well, that sums up the last few extremely busy months in a nutshell. We're now busy with Little League for both Will and Adam, and we're looking forward to a busy summer with two weddings and two family reunions!