Home Sweet Fixer-Upper

We've finally decided to reenter the real estate market. We thought we'd buy the ugliest house in West Seattle. Ha ha
Actually, we are really excited about our fixer-upper and can envision the house's potential. We think it is a diamond in the rough. After 30 years as a rental it needs A LOT of tlc!

2224 is located in West Seattle, a peninsula directly across from down town (there is a ferry in the summer, bridge access year-round). The house is two blocks from California Street, a great little shopping area. There are a few great pubs, stores, restaurants, a movie theater, and a public library all with in a few minute walk. The main reason we chose this house though is it's proximity to a great public school (Lafayette Elementary) . Jack will be in Kindergarten in 2011, and we wanted to be settled into a neighborhood well before he begins.

Living room:


Dining room:


Kitchen 1


Kitchen 2


Fabulous wood-panelled basement. Future kids hang out:




The yard:



Marty made the property manager/seller leave the plastic lawn furniture and BBQ. He loves a deal! Ha ha
Rear-facing picture of the house:


Happy Home owner:

New Years Eve

Our friends Adam & Mindy celebrated New Years with us in Sacramento. Nana and Poppa watched Jack and Bryce, plus Ben (Adam & Mindy's son). We go the kids settled, managed to put the little boys to bed, and headed to Down Town Sacramento.





We enjoyed a great meal at Esquire Grill. Great food and conversation. We probably over-stayed out welcome, there was no one left in our section when we took this picture (whoops).









After our dinner, it was nearly mid-night so we headed back to Mindy's sister's to watch the Time Square count down. We had a very rich tiramisu cake and champagne (in beer glasses- classy) to ring in the New Year!





Happy 2010!!

Christmas Day Part 2

In the evening we went over to Sarah's extended families dinner and rockin' Christmas bash. The food was GREAT, as usual, and the Wii games had us all laughing. Just Dance was a hit with everyone!













JUST Dance:





There was lots more dancing fun, but not enough space on our over-crowded camera card to capture the fun!

Christmas Day Part 1

Like all little kids, 4 year old Jack was up early and raring to go on Christmas morning. "Santa" left a new Lightning McQueen bike (more posts to follow as we take on a "big boy bike"). The adults, Grandma, Uncle Tom, Mommy and Daddy eventually got going, and joined in the Christmas spirit.




"Come on can we open gifts?"

The funniest thing is that the Dillard family got my mom (Grandma) the EXACT same gift as my brother got her. We each got her a Snuggie and a matching dog Snuggie for Rocket, and a new 2010 calendar. The good news is Rocket loves his doggy Snuggie and my mom loves her's too.








Marty was thrilled that he finally got a back scratcher- thanks Tom!




Bryce's Christmas gift (a shopping cart) never arrived, so Jack kept asking what Santa got Bryce and we kept distracting him. Under the tree for Bryce was a small ambulance & book from Grandma, and a police car from Uncle Tom, but nothing from Santa. We didn't want Jack to think Bryce had been bad or something, luckily Jack was so into his presents (too many if you ask me) & Bryce got so much from family and friends that we realized the shopping cart was unnecessary anyway. Bryce loved his little gifts. Look at his face: he's making driving sounds!







I loved my rain boots, but they don't fit right so I am in search for another kind, any suggestions?



After gifts Sarah & Tom made another excellent Christmas morning brunch.







Uncle Roger joined us for breakfast and brought the boys presents. Jack loved his first-ever remote controlled car! Bryce wasn't sure what to make of the lion cub that roared and purred.

Christmas Eve

We spent Christmas Eve at Poppa & Nana's house. Poppa & Nana made a wonderful turkey dinner.







Jack and Bryce got to visit with their great grandma (G.G) and great uncle (Apple Bob). Then we took a few family shots.







The boys opened their matching Christmas jammies from Mommy & Daddy and finally they got to open a few presents from Poppa & Nana.

















Bryce decicied our new tent canopy made a great seat.



Back at Grandma's we got ready for Christmas morning, we put out food for the reindeer, hung our stockings, now time for bed tomorrow is Christmas day!



Jack even put out his new lantern so the "reindeer could see their snacks."