FREEdom

For our anniversary this year, the only thing either one of us wanted was some peace and relaxation. So we hired our sensibly-aged babysitter to come to watch the children - overnight! This was the first time we have been alone together in close to four years.

Since we had to pay a premium for this gift, dreams of staying at the Ritz or Four Seasons were replaced by Priceline. A few clicks and we were the happy recipients of a four-star hotel downtown St Louis for $51 (plus tax and parking). Normally speaking, downtown St Louis is not the destination of choice for locals. I asked around for restaurant recommendations, and they were few and far between. But the fact that we were heading down one night after the Cardinals won the world series and a Rams game on Sunday -- plus lots of weddings, etc... -- it was actually pretty lively.

For drinks and dinner, we found our way to quite the "scene" of St Louis -- a high-end rooftop bar overlooking Busch Stadium. It was trying a bit hard -- (a jaded Chicago gal thinks) but we went with it and had a great time. There were even free event photographs for Halloween (perfect for our anniversary pics!) complete with accessories.

We ended the night listening to one of the worst/best piano duos at the hotel -- and laughed a lot-- at all the wrong parts I think. Our new plan - to do this more than once every four years!

Wedding Anniversary -- AGAIN (six years)

Dog, Dog

Whereas Rhys loved his backhoes at this age, Claudia loves her dogs. We are fortunate that there are so many dogs of all shapes and sizes in the neighborhood to entertain her.

School picture

Rhys and his own self-portrait....

Rhys told his teachers..."I think I look cranky"...in describing his picture.

40 Years

40 Years is a long time. Thankfully, I am not (quite) 40...But the point of this posting is Rhys. He loves our new house and neighborhood so much he is telling us that he wants to live here for 40 years. (A Very Long Time in his mind).

Of course, I think, that might be a bit too long for a son to stay with his mom and dad, but it just makes our hearts soar that we are creating a wonderful home that can have such positive memories for him and for Claudia.

Rhys last October...a blink of the eye as they say!

Design on the Fly

Our bathroom remodel was done quickly and somewhat on budget. Dom and I didn't have the luxury of visiting numerous stores to price check  or the time to look through magazines if we wanted to have the work done before we moved. So we made our decisions fast, fast, fast....a technique that usually serves us well ... or at least forces us to make the decision and move on.

This showpiece inspired us at the Tile Shop....

But the tile and border were a bit out of our budget...so we tweaked it a bit for this (note, lighting not as good as in the Tile Shop and the color of the walls appears darker than it actually is. SW Stormy Day).  This photo was taken before the tub was re-glazed...it is now a lovely white and looks almost brand-new instead of the 1940s old cast-iron tub it actually is.

Boo

The family is loving the new house and neighborhood. This week, we got "Booed"...and that pretty much sums up how we feel about our new homestead.

We are busy getting unpacked, organizing, buying furniture (on the cheap), and celebrating birthdays (Dom's -- very low key and under the radar). 

Some quick pics of us in progress:

The former attached garage -- was converted in the 90s to a sun room, den, not sure yet what it will be.

View from entry/living room.

Boxes of books and some toys -- waiting to decide where book shelves will go.

Yard looking a little patchy. Need the Nolidan Green Thumb to visit! :)

Check Please

We had our neighboring Australian friends over this weekend to see our new house and share in some hot pizza, veggies from the Farmer's Market, and cold beverages. How nice it is to have some space to entertain! Note, you are seeing the lovely blacktop in the back - there is grass and a few trees, more pics to come.

Tucking in

My early bird this morning wanted Cheerios before the sun even came up.  (It was 6 am...not too bad, and not counting Rhys getting up at 4 am - oh yes, his current sleep problems are enough to bring Dom and me to tears - and another visit to the sleep lady - but I digress). 

And here is a glimpse of the kitchen.  Not so great white cabinetry and appliances and floor (and really ugly gray counter tops) -- but it is functional and has a door out to the garden. Your day is coming kitchen ... once we have replenished our "house" fund. 

Fall Festival

We took a break from unpacking and organizing to check out the Botanical Gardens' "Best of Missouri" festival. While we bypassed the 120 vendors outside selling local artistic/culinary ware - we did spend our time in the children's area making apple cider, getting free stuffed "Teddy" bears and pumpkins, and patting cows. Next year, we may have to get a sitter and enjoy more of the adult festivities. Happy October 2011.

A Bat for the "Batman" fan.

No milking was actually done by Rhys.

Claudia went a bit crazy with the Turkey.

Rhys with Teddy Batman and Pumpkin choice.

We moved...and survived

More to come and more pictures -- but we are in and getting settled. The big question is where does the leather couch go and the bookshelves? They looked so good in our old living room - not so much in the new, smaller entry room/living room space. There is a "den" or "garden room" or whatever you wish to call it they might look good in (My Books!) - which means we need to do some shopping for the entry room .... on a budget.

We are all loving the new house, however. Having two floors of living space - plus a basement play/tv area - has been great for us. And our xx,000 bathroom remodel is gorgeous and is the show piece of this house. (Don't mind the weeds or lack of garage or the fact there are only 1.5 baths...just see this one lovely bathroom! It is like showering in the Rain Forest!)

And the neighborhood is just what we wanted ... walking distance to restaurants, coffee shops, playgrounds - with lots of other families with young kids - oh, yeah, and a good public school system as bathroom remodels don't lend themselves to private.