Our Loop!

Most of our time is spent right here at HOME!!  This is from our driveway, looking across our road, at the Gazebo in the Loop.  We use the area daily for snack and lunch picnics, pretend 'house' play, soccer/baseball lessons, 'Power Ranger' adventures, bike track races... you name it, we've done it!

Elsie Anne thought this was "the PERFECT spot for snack time" today!!  And, if you've read previous posts, you'll know that we are waiting patiently for our Friday Tradition... greeting our trash & recycle helpers, and watching all the 'dumping' action!  WOW, the life of an {almost} 3yr old :)

A better shot of our cute little HOME {mainly for our out-of-town family that want to see it}.  This shows the 'Zero Lot Line' and how close our neighbors are.  No complaint here, at least we aren't sharing anymore walls!!  Thankfully, we've liked the neighbors, and a handful of them have kids!  A few evenings, we've all been out playing, and I can't help but think the kids are becoming the 'Little Loop Gang', and us parents have joined the 'Wisteria Loop' club?!  hee,hee:)

I feel extremely blessed... DAILY!!

Gymnastics!!!

Elsie Anne has been missing her 'Explorers' class that has been on break for 6wks between sessions.  I teased her last week {got her all dressed & pumped up to go} only to find out we were a week early!  What a bummer, but we got to watch the older girls (8yrs) practice on the beam, so it wasn't a total loss in her eyes.

But this was the day, and we had talked about it since Monday, and even found out her bud, Briley, from last session, was going to be in her class again!  AND we lucked out with her same coach from last session!  Coach Kate and EA really connected, so I'm glad for that stability!  Many times I've found EA pretending to be Coach Kate, and 'coaching' her animals:)  

Here are the sweet girls warming up.  It was neat to see how they were the 'older' ones.  They knew the ropes and were great examples!  Coach Kate commented on how they listened, payed attention, and followed directions... Way to go BIG GIRLS!!

Waiting very patiently for their stamps, after a fun-filled first class!!

Looks like they were the only kids in the class, somehow I was able to skirt around the other 6 children, and their Moms:)  Can't wait to see EA's new tricks she learns in the next 16wks!!

BackYard Fun!!

Our first back yard playdate... with cousins, of course!!  Thatcher, Tullen & EA kicked their soccer balls up and down our little hill.  I thought the hill would hinder their fun, but they seemed to enjoy the elevation change:)

The kids were big helpers in raking up all the maple leaves that had fallen in our front yard. How enticing those piles looked!  Brought back so many memories from my childhood, of jumping & playing in leaf piles!  "CONFETTIIIII!!"... as they tossed them in the sky!

Be Still My Heart...These are the Days to Remember!!

**Go past New,New,New for a few more new posts**

New...New...New!!

new TOWN, new HOUSE, new YEAR!!

The last six months have been full of change and transition for our family. We've weathered quite a few storms, seen many highs, and fought off the lows... I can now safely say, we've found our HAPPY PLACE! This place is where brutal honesty between spouses resides, where our deepest inner thoughts have felt comfortable enough to peek through, where we have pulled together and used our trials to bring us closer, and can now look forward to embrace the benefits of all we've endured.

Who knew a move across the country would be so hard in every aspect of our lives?? Having been broken down to our bare bones, I am humbled to find the Lord has helped us emerge as better individuals, better spouses, and back to being 'present' parents!!

This is our HAPPY PLACE, and I am now ready to share it with you!

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Elsie Anne playing with her dress-up clothes and pop-up castle!

EA loves splashing in the Florida monsoon puddles...in our new neighborhood, Lakeshore Gardens!

This is the huge drainage system we found just around the corner. It was the perfect spot for our morning walk adventure!! EA practicing her balance beam skills:)

Holiday Cheer!

Interesting how the smallest of differences are recognized AWED by my almost 3yr old.  In Elsie Anne's whole LONG life, she's never lived anywhere with trash and recycling service {and for the last 8ys, neither have Shawn or I}.  Her infatuation with this has brought about a Friday morning tradition... we sit on our driveway and watch our 'trash helpers' go around the loop, and finally make it to our house.  After our waving-and-clapping-like-crazy, for their hard work, they leave with big smiles on their faces, and sometimes even a TOOT-TOOT from the loud horn!!

So when I saw this idea on "lil light o' mine" blog, I just HAD to do it!  EA picked out the X-mas Tree cookies, and we I made the sign!  What a wonderful way to show our appreciation!

And boy did they appreciate it!!  They couldn't thank us enough times, it was so sweet!  EA was proud to make them so happy and told Daddy the whole story when he got home:)

New House - Skeleton!

**WARNING: all pics are from iphone & many are blurry**

Elsie Anne in her new room.  There is a guest room opposite hers, with a linen closet in between.

Looking from the end of the hallway (EA's room, guest room & 2nd bathroom) to kitchen. Folding doors store full-size washer/dryer with great storage above.

Kitchen.  I'm so excited the walls are orange - similar to the color I chose for our Breck kitchen!!

This overlooks the open dining & living rooms.  So much cabinet space!!

The Enrtyway.  Door on left goes into 2car garage.  

Looking the other way.  Kitchen on left, hallway to EA's room on right, dining/living ahead to french doors & fenced in backyard.  Our room is to right of french doors.

Dining/Living Room.

Teeny Patio.  Small fenced in yard.  Plenty for our first yard to up-keep:)

On the right, our room.  Its a grey/green color that I love!!

Into our HUGE bathroom.  Walk-in closet ahead.

We don't have enough clothes to fill up this closet!!

Looking the other way at the 'throne' & shower:)  Natural light in the shower is awesome!!

Best for last... EA and I loved picking out her new bathroom accessorize - so girly!!

And the Princess herself!  Dressed up in all her bracelets and running around our empty house, on the first night we stayed!!