Sold....In 14 Days

In March of 1999 we moved into this home. Nine months later we welcomed Miss Camdyn into our family and since then two little heavenly spirits have followed. It's amazing the transformation that has taken place in the past 10 years, not only to our family but to this cozy little home. Todd and I have enjoyed making this a haven for ourselves and our children. We have upgraded all we can in a home such as this and I am finding it surprisingly difficult to say goodbye.

Two Sundays ago a prospective buyer came through and 30 min later called with an offer, they met our counter offer and that was that. Their realtor said he'd never seen a home decorated as nicely as ours was and it would be a treat to be able to bring the buyer in the next day for one more look around. How funny...especially coming from a man!

Alas, it is time to move on.....and we've got some great plans in store for our next residence, which just so happens to be my DREAM home since the moment I layed eyes on it!
For more details on that......see next post below.

Our New Home for the Holidays

This lovely Northwest jewel belongs to some wonderful and talented friends of ours, the Elmers. I sent a friend of mine out to see it after they moved in and she later said to me in a serious tone "Stacey, I have never seen anything on Earth like this".

A few interior shots give a visual of the charm and warmth that the Elmers know how to create. Pictures do not do it justice!

So one can only imagine what this, their previous home for 33 years, looked like before they moved out 3 years ago.............This is where their story ends and ours unfolds.................

Thirteen years ago I stepped through the doors of this historical craftsman home. I was in complete awe. I do believe I had a hard time keeping my jaw from dropping! The Elmer's home inside and out was filled to the brim with charm. Anyone who knows me, knows I LOVE anything historic, old, or vintage.... especially when it has a story to tell. 33 years ago the Elmers bought this 1910 Craftsman when it was in a complete state of disrepair and made it into the historical home it is today, building on additions as their family continued to grow. I told them from time to time that when they were ready to sell I wanted to at least be able to make an offer, they would then have to reject it, and we could move on.

It's interesting how fate took a hand in this turn of events. I daresay I can recall how it all began to progress.....but I will say this: There is no one more in love with this old home than myself, Todd and our little kiddos. For 13 years, whether it was coming out to swim, visiting teaching, giving tours of the home to family and friends or just riding past on my bike....I have always been completely smitten with it's charm. Elmers have expressed their joy in knowing all the time, love, labor and memories they once had put into this home will be returning with the care we'll be rendering inside and out.

Nestled against the hillside of Green Mountain and situated on 6 acres, the view boasts picturesque settings from all angles.

Todd and I love projects. With over 5000 sq feet, we will have many years ahead to complete them. This is Brody's room. He loves to come to "Ehr-muwh hows" and see his room.

The girls room has this additional nook area to use as a play room or vanity, or even an extra space for a bed.

The other section of the house, which I always called "the apartment" has a wonderful bonus room so the kids can have all the friends over they want. Now we can finally buy a ping pong table! Really, I think those are fun. I just want to be like the Jensens :>

I could cry for joy when I look at this laundry room! I've had about a 3 foot breezeway into the garage with room for the washer/dryer and that's it!

The girls like this carpet in one of the guest rooms in the apartment, but we're hoping to just do it all the same....for continuity.

15 years ago they remodeled the kitchen and added on the great room. I LOVE this kitchen!

Driving out with the kids on a beautiful Fall day and seeing this view from the front porch feels so Northwest to me.

Brody's favorite past-time all last summer was wanting to go "shwimmy". Now he'll have his wish. I'd better brush up on my lifegaurding skills.

My mom said to me when we were in the process of finalizing details with Elmers and getting ready to list our home that "it will all work out if it was meant to be". Todd and I truly feel there was a guiding hand in this whole process; with how everything fell into place. Many times we'd look at a home and come away with doubtful feelings, knowing we'd have to sacrifice too much for the kids sake. This home keeps our children in their same schools and puts us back in the first ward we were in when we moved to Vancouver, before it was split.

I like keeping things pertaining to our family matters close until all details are finalized and these little buddy kids were the best secret keepers ever! I promised them a Dairy Queen Blizzard if they'd stick to the script I had layed out for them and they passed with flying colors! Mmmm I love a good DQ treat!

Rolling into Fall

Miss Kennedy celebrated her 7th Birthday. She enjoyed a full day of activities. Todd took her out of school to "Panda Bear" for lunch. After school just she and daddy went bowling. We had a family party with her favorite dinner, chicken broccoli and Oreo pie for dessert. Kennedy was so animated while opening her presents. She was so grateful for all her gifts. Kennedy brings a sweet spirit into our home. She plays so well by herself, is a loyal and trusted daughter and just has so much charisma!

The deacons did an Ironchef on mutual, splitting up into groups. We offered up our kitchen. It took a few hours to get the smell of burnt marshmallow popcorn out of the house. Poor Joni's pan is now permanately blackend! It was pretty funny watching these 'missionaires in training'. They were playing with Brody all night and had to call me "mom". Saturdays continue to be filled with soccer games.........
Last week I let the kids have a friend come over for a low key Halloween party with mummy hotdogs, cider, brownies and a Halloween movie. Mason is a PERFECT friend to have to these parties in which there are lots of little girls running around, since he himself is surrounded by them daily.
The girls wanted to dress up and they just happened to all be witches.