Meanwhile, back at the ranch


Would you like to see what we’ve been up to at the ranch? The outside is nearly done, save for some dormers, the porch, and landscaping. Here’s the view from the east side.

The ranch in progress

Inside, we’ve been busy, busy. Drywall and texture is now complete, and tomorrow we begin painting. We spent the morning finalizing our interior colors (mostly earthy tones, some yellows, browns). We’re doing it ourselves, and the rest of today will find me and the kids pulling up paper from the floor and sweeping/vacuuming all the dust, in preparation for tomorrow. Here is my husband’s grand office last week (since been textured and primed):

the office drywalled

It’s not all work and no play. The kids run around and find so many interesting things to do for a break. Like climbing trees:
JoJo up a treeLittle L sitting in tree

….catching lizards….
JJ caught a lizardBig L gets a good look at the new lizard
….digging tunnels….
nothin' better'n dirt

We hope to be moved in to our new place in a few months. It’s been about three years since we first embarked on this project, so you can imagine how ready we are to be done, how excited we are to be “home,” how exhausted we are. :-)
****
Blog Carnival links:

Learning in the Great Outdoors
Carnival of Family Life
Carnival of Homeschooling
Make It From Scratch
Carnival of the Insanities

Technorati Tags: , , , , , ,

11 Responses

  1. Sheila May 13th, 2008 at 3:09 pm

    What a beautiful home! I also enjoyed your article on your friend Buffy who makes cookies from home. I’m always praying for that perfect stay at home business oppurtunity that works for us. For now, I’m just content with being home!

    Sheila

  2. e-Mom May 13th, 2008 at 8:28 pm

    That ranch is a masterpiece! You will enjoy your handiwork, and yes, I can imagine how ready you are to move in. Your kids are getting so many good lessons from the process, and they don’t even know it! Well done Mom and Dad. (Lol, we renovate houses.) :~D

  3. Jen May 13th, 2008 at 9:06 pm

    Sheila, thank you so much! It’s all my husband’s vision and hard work. And I’m thrilled that Buffy’s story was enjoyable for you - it’s a fun business. I might eat all my profits, though. :-)

    e-Mom, thanks for the compliments. Like I said to Sheila, I take no credit, it’s my husband’s planning and designing entirely. I agree on the kiddos education; the whole process has been a learning experience for them, and will continue to be. You should share about your renovation projects…I’d love to hear about it!

  4. mrs darling May 13th, 2008 at 9:06 pm

    Wow I bet you guys cant wait to get in there. Its absolutely gorgeous!

  5. Tipper May 14th, 2008 at 6:18 am

    Beautiful home for a beautiful family!

  6. Heather Young May 14th, 2008 at 8:38 am

    Oh that is incredible. We live in a decrepit old lady of a house with plenty of space and no worries about the kids breaking anything because most of it is already broken. :) That bottom photo is STUNNING And wonderful!

  7. MooBeeMa May 14th, 2008 at 9:01 am

    Stunning!! Absolutely Beautiful!

  8. Jen May 14th, 2008 at 9:18 am

    Mrs. Darling, Tipper, Heather, MooBeeMa, thanks, ladies! When we’re all done, I’ll have a big open house and invite you to come for tea. Now, Mrs. D and MooBeeMa, you could actually physically come since you live in Oregon! The rest, maybe a cyber tea will do. :-) Heather, I love how you described your house as a “decrepit old lady of a house.” I’ll bet it’s a fun place to be. I agree, I’d rather live in a house where I didn’t have to so worry about being careful not to wreck anything.

  9. Mrs. C May 14th, 2008 at 11:46 am

    Oh, what a beautiful home! I think the pic of the kids looking like gophers in their holes is a real keeper!!

  10. Jen May 15th, 2008 at 10:45 am

    Mrs. C, thanks, and that pic. of the kids in the dirt - one of my favorites, too! I don’t know why I’m always surprised they can play in the dirt for hours - it never changes

  11. Arielle July 1st, 2008 at 8:43 pm

    I cannot believe how big your youngest is!! (i wasn’t sure if I’m supposed to use his name on here) he’s so cute, well handsome since he’s so huge. Is he talking up a storm?

RSS feed for comments on this post

Comment