Friday, January 15, 2010

New Digs

So, this is where we live now...







I know.  Believe me, it's almost embarrassing to call ourselves "newlyweds."  We're supposed to be living in a shoebox apartment with a view of a brick wall, right?  Aren't these what they call the "leaner years?"  Well, yes, in a sense...We can't afford to furnish or landscape the place, or even hire someone to remove the sloppily-strewn icicle lights hanging outside.  (They were there when we moved in this past August and we can't even get them to work properly.)

The story is that we found a great deal and we had a choice to either stay "safe" in Bear Hollow for years to come OR sacrifice a little to make what could be a very lucrative investment for our future.  Grab the foreclosures when they're hot!  Bank off of someone else's misfortune!  So, we rolled the dice. After many months of throwing our line out with low-ball offers here and there and going back and forth on location location location, we ended up on top of a mountain (literally) in Pineridge after almost giving up the search altogether.

And now this is what we wake up to every day...



And go to sleep to every night...



And hike in the summer...



Yup, pretty much paradise.  We're going to enjoy it while it lasts.  Our windows really take advantage of the unbelievably gorgeous Toll Canyon views.  We try to have people over as often as possible to justify three people living in 6200 square feet.  We admit that it is WAY too big for us (a lot to clean), so someday when the market improves we may just downsize a bit...and hopefully our move will have paid off.  I'm not sure I want Liam growing up thinking this is a "normal" existence.

Now, we just need to get this place off of our hands.  Know anyone interested in purchasing a beautiful newer build at the base of the Olympic Park, 4 bedrooms, 3.5 bath, gourmet kitchen, gas fireplace, access to clubhouse with pool, hot tub and exercise room, approximately 2290 sq/ft?  Best deal in Park City...(seriously.)  Give us a call!







Tuesday, January 12, 2010

Best of Summer 2009

My third trimester flew by with some serious blog neglect, so I wanted to do a little recap before 2010 gets too far underway.  In reverse order, here it goes...

July 31- August 3, 2009  Maggie and Matt Hoffman's Wedding in Portland (aka Roaring 20 Reunion)

Possibly the most beautiful wedding I've ever been to...from the vineyard to the blackberries in the centerpieces to the sunset over the vineyard to the Rabbi's blessing to Roaring 20 dancing to "Only You."  Perfect wedding for a perfect couple.  Portland didn't disappoint either.  Although slowed down by late pregnancy and the sweltering August heat, we walked the city streets until we dropped.  Lydia and I were also able to experience possibly the BEST Thai food in the world, including Thailand itself.  Bangkok Kitchen on Belmont Street.  GO there.













July 23-26, 2009 West Yellowstone, Montana
After a one-year hiatus, Lydia and I returned north for our annual fly-fishing/Yellowstone adventure.  Except this time, I was quite a bit bigger, so no fly-fishing or serious hiking BUT we did do a little doggy-paddling in the hot and cold Firehole River and got caught in a thunderstorm while drift-boating down the Madison.  I can't wait to take Liam!





July 30, 2009 Derek and Ambree's Wedding
We were asked to sing at Wes's cousin's wedding dinner, so I played piano for our "Falling Slowly" duet and then my dad accompanied us on the guitar for the "Lucky" finale.  Good times.  Derek and Ambree made a beautiful couple!










July 17-25, 2009 Charles Family Reunion
2009's activities weren't exactly designed for a preggo girl, but I did play a little tennis, went to a cute diner in Kamas, attended an open-house/carnvial at the National Ability Center, and spent some quality time with a sweet baby girl named Avery- Liam's closest-in-age cousin!









July 14, 2009 American Idols Live Tour
Adam Lambert is a genius.  Hands down.  Liam must have agreed because he was rocking out in my belly when Adam busted out Led Zeppelin and Muse.




July 4, 2009 Trial Lake, Uintas for the Rawson 4th of July Picnic
Yes, that is a tent.  Yes, that is my tent.  Yes, I camped while preggo.  No, it is not recommended.
No, I will not do it again.  Beautiful though, eh?











July 3, 2009 Fireworks and Music with the Charles' at the Canyons with some dang cute munchkins.