Day 1- excavating

Today was the day! The dirt has been moved. The boys and I showed up around 11 and the entire lot was almost dug. It was amazing. We got to speak to the workmen, who were ever so kind to the kids. They showed them where the front door was going to be and where they would park their bikes in the garage. It was a great day today! Neighbors and friends stopped by to join in on the excitement! Sophie enjoyed watching the dirt move as well! See the man down in the hole??? That is where he was showing Sam the front door would be!

The boys had druel running down their cheeks. They were sooo excited! They both stood there in amazement, while Sophie posed for the camera. She is sooo stinkin' cute.

Oh the memories we will have for them in years to come!

So, Day 1 was the dig. Tomorrow they will put the footings in. Wednesday they will pour the basement. All goes well, the dry wall should be complete the first week in July. WOW. How is that for fast!

SOLD...and waiting

The diggers arrived and we are getting excited!!!! Very excited. Now we wait for Monday, when all the fun begins.

One Step Closer to the New House

This week Erin and I meet with the builder’s project manager for our house to review all the plans and ensure all the options or changes we made were included since the house will be built according to the current drawings. We went room by room, checked windows, lights, color selections for floors and woodwork… everything checked out well. Next week the basement hole will be dug and the foundation will be installed.

Within 2 weeks the house should be framed and we will start to see the actual structure. It will be a race to see which house is done first, the lot next ours has been cleared and the hole is dug. I am sure some of the upcoming pictures will show the other house in the background.

The next meeting with the project manager will be just before the drywall is installed, this time we will be walking around the house structure after all the mechanics are in, electric wiring and some plumbing. This is expected to occur the first or second week of July. That is only 4-5 weeks away!!!!

Watch for some new pictures soon, from a lot full of weeds to a hole!!!

Potty tales...second child

Out with the diapers, in with the underpants. It's Matthew's turn to take a seat on the "big" boy potty! Although he has been using the potty for some time, he never really wore underpants outside of the house. However, we began on Monday.

Sam has been a huge incentive for Matthew to do his business on the potty instead of in his stinky diaper. He's had a few accidents...a few dramatic runs, but overall he is doing great. You see, when Sam was ready to use the potty, he just did it. Never has he had an accident. So, he set the bar pretty darn high for his brother. Sam was also a little over 3 when he started, so, hats off to Matthew for trying!

However, I must say, going to Target with Matthew wasn't as easy at it used to be. We visited the bathroom twice while there....and we were only there for 20 minutes. We visited the shopping malls bathroom 3 times while there for about 15 minutes and had a few scares while driving in the car. However, every time I asked him and he said he had to go, he did. So, GOOD JOB MATTHEW!!!

A little too much information about Matthew, however, I document for myself...poop.

Matthew is a habitual pooper. He goes the same time, every morning. And he has for almost 2 years now! It's been 3 days since his pooper has worked...because he is scared to go in the potty. So, I caved in...as his tummy was bubbling out hard as a rock. I let him poop in his diaper and let me tell you...it was the larges poop I have ever seen from a almost 3 year old. He felt so much better. I do remember doing this with Sam for some time, so, we're getting there.

Matthew has also mastered doing the potty dance, however, refuses to believe that he has to go potty. Today he told me that it is a "pretend" dance and he really is just doing it because he wants to! Is he 2 or what?

Also, a much needed documentation...only diapers for bed time. Not nap time...because according to Matthew, bed time is NOT nap time. So, for what it's worth....his bed has stayed dry! Thankfully because technically it is gaga and papa's bed :).

So, from the potty deck, Matthew is on the road to being a big boy! Hip Hip Hooray for him!

And what is a potty post without both boys getting fame to a picture!

Plans APPROVED

Yesterday was a great day in the Village of Grafton. I attended the Architectural Board Meeting that would determine if the plans were acceptable to move forward with processing the building permit. The committee approved the alternative house version since the house down the street looked too similar. As soon as the meeting was over I called Erin and told her the good news. Next steps are to meet with the project manager for the pre-construction review, (2 hour meeting) and find out the dig date... should be around the second week of June!!! Things are now moving forward. Keep checking the blog for updates and photos.

Home plans

It's been some time since we've posted on our new home...and that's because we are still in the "waiting" stages. The Village of Grafton added some new building restriction codes that had to be put into place which put us out another month. So, we are scheduled to go to the ARCH Board meeting next week Thursday. There they will approve or not approve (OMG) our home plans. Grafton has a strict monotony code which limits which homes you can build. And, we do have the same home a few doors down from us so we convinced our builder to change up the facade of our home. So, cross your fingers and pray that everything goes well.

Here is house #1

Here is a new sketch in case we get denied on the spot!

We have some great friends in our new neighborhood already! We have been up there driving around meeting people and playing with old friends!!!! We just can't wait to get this process started and get on going!!!! Sooooo we wait until next week to get the show on or off the road.

*either way the garage will be on the left side

Two wheels!!!

WE ARE SO PROUD OF OUR DEAR SAM!!!

He is officially on TWO wheels with the help of dear friend Nico.

sometimes it's fun to be different

Man it's been a little chilly here in WI. If it's not raining, it's cloudy. If it's not sunny, it's windy. And surly it's not hot, we are still in fleece and pants...sometimes we even whip out the down jackets. So, yesterday I decided it was picture day for the boys. I took them to the park, got one good picture of Matthew, Sam thought otherwise. After we ran around the park and got haircuts, the boys were famished. We decided to have a car picnic (good ole' Florida memory). But this time I was going to park the car and the boys were going to be creative on how they were going to sit and eat. Did they have fun. They thought this was the best thing ever! They both picked the back seat. Matthew sat on his tool box, Sam sat on his booster seat, which I will not let him ride in yet. They were so cute. I even got Starbucks beforehand and I got to enjoy it in peace!

Boots, mud, sticks and leaves...oh my

We can't decide if it is warm outside yet...so we experiment. We start the day with long sleeves, end the day with short sleeves, but we keep our boots on just in case it gets cold out...or the mud just happens to jump in our path when we are playing!

Easter 2009

Easter 2009 was celebrated at Mimi & Papa's house. (Erin's Parents).

It was a gorgeous Spring Day and the boys were thrilled to collect Easter Eggs that the Easter Bunny hid outside. It was a great morning filled with food and fun!

Dying eggs the night before

Traditional Easter Lambs
Chocolate Easter Bunny!

Sam's Easter Bucket

My 2 Grandma's! Trudy and Arleen

Mom, Grandma Arleen and Sam

The Easter Bunny brought Cowboy Play clothes and a guitar. The boys are THRILLED!

Sam and his horse...so he thinks!

Our family

Mimi, Papa Tom and the boys

Passover 2009

Was celebrated this year at Aunt Lori and Uncle Marc's house. It was so nice to be back home for this holiday and my oh my did Aunt Lori make another outstanding meal. At the Seder table, a special book called the Passover Haggadah is read out loud. The Haggadah includes the story of the Israelites' Exodus from Egypt as well as Seder rituals and traditions. After the reading of the Haggadah, a festive kosher-for-Passover meal is eaten. (how's that for a non Jew?)

The meal consisted of:

Haroset
Gefilte Fish
Matzo Ball Soup
Roasted Potatoes

Turkey and many many other wonderful traditional dishes and desserts

Here are some highlights of the night.

The Sedar Plate

Matthew wearing some of the Ten Plagues attire

Missing Matthew!!! Loves his Uncle Marc

Smile nice Matthew...this is the best one I got!

Sam..oh he is loving my camera this year!!!

BROTHERS!

Sam: "Matthew, you're hurting me"

Mom: "It's okay Sam, I need a cute picture"

Sam: "Okay mom, take it QUICK..I can't breathe"

The new journey begins

Daddy started his new adventure today as he woke up early and started off his day with a alarm. What a whirlwind of emotions these past few months have been as we totally changed our lifestyle. We've all been through a lot together these past few weeks as we packed up our Florida house to move to WI, not knowing where our live would take us. Now, we are getting settled as we open back up our lives to the live we once knew and start another journey.

We miss daddy a bunch today! However, we are so proud of him in getting a new job! We love you dear and the boys can't WAIT to see you home tonight...seriously...they have asked about you almost about a million times already.

sick..sick...sick...

and this sick time was a trip to the doctor last night. Poor baby Matthew just can't fight this cold anymore. He's been sick for 3 weeks now, on and off sick we got back to WI. It is so frustrating.

Yesterday I knew it was more than a cold when he woke up from nap goopy and boogery and feverish and just a ball of snot! So, off to the Doc they went. Thankfully she caught the start of an ear infection and put him on another round of medicine. Today's agenda..to find a restaurant that has good chicken soup on the menu!

I just love pink bottles!!! The look so cute in the fridge :)