It's little, it's old, it's cute, and it's OURS!!!...

Or, at least it will be in 30 years! Yup, that's right, Erik and I finally took the plunge and bought our first house here in the Seattle area. We really enjoy it up here and decided it was time to plant our roots. The market just happened to be perfect for our small budget. We found a cute little "fixer-upper" in the Renton Highlands, just a few miles from our apartment. We even have a view of Lake Washington and downtown Seattle! OK, so the view will probably disappear once all the trees fill in, but still! Anyway, we're pretty proud and excited to be home-owners. Someday I'll get all the boxes unpacked and the pictures put up on the wall, etc., and then maybe I'll post some pictures. Here's one of the outside at least. We even got our first visitors the day we moved! My sister Heather and her family came into town for the day for Don's (my bro-in-law) nephew's wedding. Brooklyn had a blast following Carmen around, or should I say BOSSING Carmen around! Oh, and did I mention that Carmen is 11? Yup, she's a little sweetie to let a little "almost" 2 year old tell her what to do! Anyway, fun times seeing them. Thanks again for coming guys!Lots of heavy lifting! Show those guns boys!The sustanance. Brookyn and Troy really didn't seem to mind the chaos, they embraced it. Our first family photo in front of our house. Yes, we know we look hot after a day of moving.Can you see the lake? The first mow. Erik is so thrilled I'm taking pictures! Heather, Carmen, Brooklyn, Don, and Troy. How's that elephant taste Troy?Cousin Carmen...how precious is this?! Brooklyn was so sad when she left.Cousin Shawn and Troy.Me, Brooklyn, Carmen, Troy, and Don.Shawn and Brian. Just proof Brian was there too. :)The next big occasion was my 29Th birthday. So for all of you who forgot, next year is my big
3-0. Oh yes, I'm excited! I will be expecting lots of chocolate, flowers, MONEY, gift-cards, condolences, you get the idea. So mark your calendars for May 4Th 2010. This year was a great birthday. My two favorite girls surprised me with breakfast. Then the kiddos and I met Erik for a little birthday lunch at one of my favorite lunch places, Panera Bread. Erik brought home Chipotle (another favorite!) for dinner, along with a HUGE double chocolate cake, and strawberries. We had cake and ice-cream with the Rigtrups and Bakers. It was our first "get-together" in our "new" house! Fun! And there weren't even any casualties, so it was a success. Unfortunately I didn't get any pictures. Ahh well, there's always next year!

Blowing out my candle on the yummy coffee cake!Today for a little break from unpacking and yard-work, we took advantage of the beautiful sunshine and headed down to Coulon beach. Brooklyn and Troy had a fun little joint adventure in a swing (I'm sure all the parents were wondering what the heck we were doing). But the kids loved it! Tandem swinging is the way to go, you only have to push one swing! Oh, and we were taking a walk on the dock and passing the boats "moored" there and Brooklyn spotted a ski boat with some kids in it, proceeded to say "my boat" and try to climb in. She really thought it was hers. It's destiny. Time to get a boat I guess. Whatever Brooklyn wants, she gets!! :)
Double swingin'!They loved it!Check out that hair! Weeee!So there's our week in a nut-shell. We have our first overnight guest this weekend ("Uncle" Troy). I hope he doesn't mind sleeping in the midst of boxes. But we're very excited to have him! Erik is like a giddy little boy before the first Yankee's game of the season. What? Not every little boy gets giddy before the Yankee's play? Hmmm, thought that was normal. :) More to come on all that later, I'm sure. It's always a party when Troy is around!

Just too cute not to post. He's such a sweet baby.

Umm Troy, are you stuck?