Home * Sweet * Home

Well, I don't have inside pictures to share yet, because I want to showcase "before and after" pics together and since it's not all put together inside, you have to wait on those... but here are a few of the outside and our new surroundings. The snake was an un-invited guest that didn't get to hang around long. Unfortunately, a few of his friends have tried to visit as well. They met the same fate as snake #1. Now that a wonderful neighbor cut down all of the tall grass and weeds from behind us, we haven't seen any more of the ssssssssnake family! (My guess is that it helped cutting down the weeds, but also they might be a little afraid to meet Jon!)

We've painted and painted and painted and painted...

Our house is 2500 square feet and we have literally painted all but one room of it! It took something like 9 straight days of painting, but for the most part other than touch ups here and there it's finished! Now, when I say 9 straight days I mean every waking moment other than when we were at work or sleeping... seriously! We had a few great friends that came and helped along the way (thank you Sunshine and Katie!). Plus, I put the kids to work in their own rooms. Riley's room is lavender and celery green, but I didn't get any pictures of her while she was painting. Payton chose orange and white because they are his new school colors (Go Huskies!) and since he was old enough to request a specific color of anything, it's always been orange!

Lampshades are the rave these days!

Poor Barkley had to have "the surgery" on July 1st. We took him to the Hamilton County Spay and Neuter Clinic, where it's a same day, in early in the morning, out by 6 in the evening procedure. He was completely miserable! Poor guy! The best part (for us, but worst for him) was that he had to wear the 'lampshade' collar for 7 days. He looked like he just came to earth from the moon and lost his spaceship! It was really hilarious. He was over at the new house and he would keep running into the doorways and had to back up and try again just to get into a room. We laughed so hard the entire week he had to wear it. A few neighbors walked over to our yard just to get a better look at him and see what was on his head. Oh, and if you want to get some strange looks while driving down the road, just put one of these collars on your dog and let him ride up front in the passenger seat!

Riley had a few friends spend the night at our new house for her birthday this past weekend. It was complete chaos because things were not close to being organized, but the girls didn't mind at all. In fact, they had a wonderful time and even helped Riley organize her room a little bit!

The water gun picture is from a friend's birthday party the day before. I was a little nervous with a full water gun pointed directly at me and the camera... but we survived! Riley just giggled and moved on to attack her brother with it!

Jon had the opportunity to go to Worthington, IN with a group from our church and help with flood relief. It was a great day and they were able to get a lot accomplished for the family they were helping. Jon was thankful for the chance to get to know the family better and help them in such a time of trajedy. A lot of people lost their homes and belongings this summer due to the flooding, please keep all of these families across the US in your prayers.

Promised pictures of Payton

Back in April, I wanted to scan in some of Payton's newborn pics and post them... well, I finally got our scanner back in 'scanning' mode so here are a few of him from April of 2002. I haven't scanned in the other birthday's, but maybe those will come soon.

"8" is so great!

July 12, 2000.... Riley Elizabeth was born! And now can you believe that she is 8? Wow! Is it really the year 2008? Where has the time gone? Happy Birthday, Riley! We love you so, so much!