I'm a couple of months behind on my blogging and when we're talking about house projects, that means I'm really, really behind on documenting our progress. In looking at the older pictures I've taken, I realize I need to snap new ones because things have already changed and the photos I currently have are now dated. I'll get to taking new pictures as soon as I can. For now, I'll share what I've got from the past few months.
Remember this shot of our pool/jacuzzi when we bought the house and first tried to clean it?
This is what it's looking like after we cleaned it and hired a pool guy to give it an extra dose of love. The boys use it pretty much every chance they can. It serves as a pool by day and a jacuzzi by night.
This is a dark shot of it but I like it because it kind of captures the tropical vibe of the back house. The door and exterior of the house need to be painted. We have new light fixtures to install on either side of the door, too. Oh, and we'll add a nice walkway and plants along the base of the house.
We did quite a bit of work on the inside, prepping for a family who would be coming to visit. We painted, replaced the baseboards and took out the super heavy door from when this was a recording studio and replaced it with a light, simple door. We added some trim to make the panels for a little added character. Seen in this pic is just a coat of primer and no door handle. Besides completing the door, we need window coverings and a few key pieces of furniture. It's functional and it was fun to use some of the boys' old furniture and toys to furnish the space since the kids coming would be much younger than our boys.
Toddler bed #1
Toddler bed #2
A look back from the opposite direction.
The main room of the guest house looks out over the jacuzzi and has a nice, tropical view from the windows and door.
This isn't a great shot, quality wise, but I love the peacefulness of this view directly across the room from the bed.
Walking in, this is what greets you. I'd love to get a nice, soft rug on the floor and a more comfortable seating area with perhaps a fun table and chairs. I've got my eyes/heart set on something in particular when the budget allows. For now, the bench helps for a place to set luggage and bags. The rocker is indeed a place one can sit and we did buy a new, comfortable bed. Most everything you see is what we already had, just trying to make things work for now.
Since taking this picture, I've bought a bed skirt and changed out the accent pillow on the bed.
Don't mind the dirty, unpainted exterior...I bought these fun, flowering succulents to flank the entrance. However, during our 100 + degree heat wave, they were partially scorched and I've been trying to revive them to their past glory ever since.
Since it's football season, we have to give a little shout out to the Chicago Bears! This gnome gets moved to various places in our backyard.
To get a break from all the projects, I took the boys to our city's carnival. We had a blast and ran into many school friends, teachers, and neighbors.
The boys loved riding everything together!
Gavin ran into his neighbor friend and together, they rode on quite a few rides.
The boys went on this ride over and over and over again. :)
Then, we had a couple of canyon fires that had us heading home one day after school in a hurry to pack up our things should we be evacuated. Fortunately, the mandatory evacuations were one house away from ours and we were allowed to stay at home to see how things progressed. The fire wasn't ever too close to us but the strong Santa Ana winds brought embers dozens of miles and started many smaller fires close by. This was what we saw driving home. Honestly, my heart just sank at the thought of losing our home after so much blood, sweat, and tears had been put into it.
A few days later, the sky was still filled with smoke and this traffic gave us a 2 hour commute to school. The fires were arson this time.
On the way home, we clapped and cheered for all the firefighters who lined this hillside and had put a stop to it.
The boys were ready and waiting all year for Halloween! Here they are practicing their roping skills.
The east meets the west...
Gavie in the parade. What a handsome young cowboy he makes!
Gavie and Kyle finding each other as their classes passed by. ;)
Gavin and his teacher
Kyle and his friends
After school, I'm often greeted by some sort of animal. This day it was a spider! :)
Fuzzy picture, but once home, we baked cupcakes for our neighborhood party and carved a pumpkin while listening to some spooky songs.
Our Napa friends block party and trick or treating. It was great to be in this neighborhood because we could stop in and catch the world series game from house to house since almost everyone was "like family."
Back home with the loot! (Not all candy pictured here.)
Happiest of smiles! Gavin asks, "When is it Halloween again?" ;)
And that's October in a small nutshell.
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