The house closings went well... No hitches, with the exception of the buyers asking us to take the sandbox with us (we weren't planning on moving 400 lbs of sand across town). In the end, we had to agree to remove it, and we went back that night and shoveled it into trash cans....but it was wet, so the 400lbs turned into 900 lbs, and then we couldn't move the trash cans to save our lives (even though they were on wheels).... eventually we split it out into more containers and with the help of some neighbors (thanks Kyle, Sam), we were able to get the buckets and cans all into the moving truck (we were back there to get the swing-set anyhow after we emptied the first load of the truck). We're finally starting to feel settled a bit, with the furniture and big stuff all in place, and most of the important day-to-day stuff is unpacked and located. Now it's just a matter of decorating and painting.
The previous owner came back and showed me how to swap out the 'main' pump in the Koi pond for the winter-mode one...so the waterfalls are not running anymore for the season, but I was relieved to find out that it's actually not too complicated... and the fish just hang out in there all winter. We will definitely be putting a small fence around it in the spring. It's not anything that we ever wanted per say, but it's pretty cool with the little waterfalls going and humongous fish!
The kids are happy, they're excited to get all their toys back after they've been packed up for a couple weeks now. They didn't miss a beat getting right back into their routines and everything. They adjusted very quickly it seems.
Another great thing that we didn't really know about is the land around the neighborhood is mostly wooded, and there are trails throughout that you can walk, mountain bike, snowshoe, cross-country ski, and it feels like you're in the middle of nowhere. There's even a brooke that runs out there that's pretty cool, and a TON of rocks on the banks for Tyler to throw all day long (they're big into that... what kid isn't?). Don't worry, he won't be out there by himself for years... it's a few minutes walk away and they would never go out there alone. (I already know my mom and others are worried with the pond, I haven't told her about the whitewater in the woods yet!) :-P I might buy Tyler a kayak for Christmas so he can go play in the river when he's not swimming in the koi pond by himself...hehe.
I'll try to get some pictures out as we get settled more and I remember to take some. (When I'm home, there's just so much else to be doing right now, I don't think of it)
Anyways, Happy Thanksgiving everyone! I hope you all have fun. We'll see you soon.
-Chris, Katie, Tyler, Anna
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| 2010_11_22 |
