Spring is here

The much awaited Spring is finally making its appearance! We have already been spending as much time outside as we can going for walks, cleaning up around the house - piling the rock that got scattered during snow removal and picking up garbage and scraps that were left behind from building last fall - and re-arranging the garage. We have a nice burn pile ready to go but we'll wait for a nice, calm evening to enjoy the fire.

Yesterday morning we awoke to some activity on the lake. We had a muskrat feeding right out from our house. Needless to say, by the end of the day the muskrat had fallen under the shot of the avid hunters in the neighborhood (Josh and John). We have also seen many frogs hopping around. Deacon and Indy are already enjoying the chase - but I did have to stop them last week when they wanted to go after the frogs that had crossed the open edges of the lake onto the ice that remains.

Thatcher has been scooting like crazy. He has "mastered" the butt scoot and has so been called "Scooter" or "Scootie" around here quite often. Here's a quick clip of him on the move...

We're hoping he gets the confidence he needs to walk soon (he is so close) so we can really enjoy the outdoors! We are anxious to continue on the landscaping around the house, watch the grass grow, and plant the garden. A summer at the lake will be a new adventure for us and we are very much looking forward to it.

For now all we can say is Happy Spring - now get out and enjoy it!

One Year

It's amazing how much can happen in ONE year.

ONE year ago we welcomed Thatcher into our lives. It's hard to remember just how small and fragile he was at 6 lbs 11 oz., but it's impossible to forget all the joy, love, laughter and smiles he has brought and continues to bring into our lives. Now, ONE year later, Thatcher is 31 inches tall, 23 lbs 9 oz, and full of energy.

We celebrated Thatcher's first birthday on Saturday with family and friends. Thatcher enjoyed eating his barnyard cake, drinking green punch, opening presents, and playing with his cousins!

Summing up an entire year can be exahusting, but here are just some of the things ONE year brings:

• 16 lbs 14 oz
• 11 1/4 inches
• 6 teeth
• 6 clothes sizes
• 2 shoe sizes
• 2 types of carseats
• 600 + photos
• diapers, diapers, diapers
• rolling
• sitting
• first foods
• first steps
• belly laughs
• adoring eyes
• hugs
• cuddles, and
• relief - knowing that with each other, no matter what ONE year brings, we really have it ALL.

Here's to year TWO!

Happy New Year!

We survived the holidays and have so much to be thankful for - new toys, clothes, gidgets and gadgets, good food, good times, and extra pounds. Luckily the weather cooperated and we were able to see many of our friends and family over the past few weeks. Thatcher enjoyed the lights and sounds and tastes of the season and made our Christmas a very special one. Everything about the holidays is so magical to a little one - even before they know the meaning of the season.

Family pictures are few and far between but we managed to get a quick snap shot on Christmas Eve before the festivities got too crazy.

Thatcher figured out the presents on Christmas morning and had a wonderful time shaking, ripping paper, tasting and eventually finding the insides of the things he was opening. Not surprisingly, he had a great time throwing around his new socks with his daddy.

From Thatcher as he helps with this post: "sa jnj, zrdsrxfjmkl,m33d"

We look forward to everything that 2011 has in store for us - may it be as wondeful as 2010. For now we are going to enjoy all that we have and look forward to our next big event, Thatcher's first birthday! We'd like to think that he is showing us he's turning one in the picture above, but he hasn't quite gotten that down yet. We're working on it and hope to have it perfected soon.

Best wishes for a year of good health, happiness and adventure!

It's the Holiday Season

We have been in our house for a month now and we love it! It's nice when the first decorations you put up in your home are for the Holidays. If nothing else, it gives us a little more time to decide where everything should go.

Thatcher has been a busy boy exploring every room - and lucky for him, where ever he goes, we go. He loves to be on the move but still needs support for balance. And although we sometimes wish he could do it on his own, we are not in any hurry for him to get too independent too fast - he's still our little boy (10 months old now). The best part of his immobility is that he cannot get into trouble yet.

We're gearing up for a busy Christmas week. Work parties and gatherings with family & friends will lead us right into our Christmas celebrations. We can hardly wait to watch Thatcher as he experiences his first Christmas, but we're almost certain that his favorite thing will be eating and shaking paper and boxes.

From our home to yours,
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Giving Thanks

THANKS!

We have so much to be thankful for this year and so many people to thank for all of their hard work. We were able to move into our new home on November 13th and have enjoyed every minute of finally living here. Although we still have a few unfinished projects and some decorating to do, we have found some 'normalcy' and have all been able to sleep peacefully.

Everyone, with the exception of Deacon (on occassion), have found it easy being here instead of at our home in town.... Deacon has graced 3rd Avenue to visit his old territory a couple of times - unfortunately that means we get calls to go pick him up or have him escorted home from the local law enforcement. We are hopeful that he will soon decide it's great here and only explore town when he is with us.

Here are some new pictures of our new home. Come visit for the full tour!

The sun room floor went in this morning. It looks beautiful!

Thatcher's room.

The front entrance.

Our bedroom.

The kitchen.



And Thatcher! He seems to love his new digs.

Packing begins

The past few weeks we have really been able to see what our new house is going to look like. Paint, tile, flooring, pine walls, cabinets, countertops, landscaping, you name it - it has been very busy and full of excitement. That being said, we have also started packing our belongings - a little each day - in anticipation of a move in the next couple of weeks.

Here are some updated pictures of our progress.

The sun room walls are mostly in, top row of windows should be installed this week - weather permitting.


The floor, vanities, sinks, towel bars, and toilet have all been installed in the master bath.



This is Thatcher's bathroom (our main level bathroom). You can see the bathtub in the mirror.

The laminate floor was installed last weekend. Now's its covered with paper but it is beautiful!

The kitchen - WOW -

The countertops went in today and they are perfect. Lots of good meals and good times to come...

It's a house.

The rule was that we wouldn't call it our house until the roof was completed. Now that we can call it our house, we are looking forward to calling it our home.


The last couple of weeks have been full of siding, tiles, paint, landscaping, and many other fun projects. Here are a few pictures to get you updated on where we are in the adventure that is 'building a house'.



This is the sun room wall overlooking the lake. The lower level of windows are in with the upper windows to be installed next week sometime.




Both bathroom floors are tiled - one grouted, one more to go. We rounded up some extra help for tiling and painting and are very satisfied with the results (the help and tiles and paint, of course).

Last weekend we were able to get some outside landscaping done. Edgers, rock and plants have been added and we even have a little bit of new grass making an appearance.

Deacon and Indy have already found the slab where the kennel will be and have been able to make theirselves at home - both were napping until we took the camera out, at which point Indy raised her head.

Last weekend we also planted a tree for Thatcher. We recieved a gift certificate when he was born and used it to buy a River Birch. We are very excited to see it grow and provide a little shade for us. It will also serve as a reminder of our crazy year that started with our little guy.

On a side note, Thatcher is 8 1/2 months old now. He's been working very hard on growing teeth lately and has two to show off right now. He's also getting very strong and ready to move but has yet to figure out anything but rolling. (I think maybe we're lucky that he is immobile while we're working on the house.)

Cabinets!! We are very happy with our delivery this week. The kitchen cabinets are beautiful. Soon we will also have the top row doors (waiting on the glass) and countertops.

The Sherlin boys sitting in the soon-to-be living room. I am so lucky to have two smiling boys to live with!

We are planning another eventful weekend and hope to have another update to you soon.