We're buying a farm!

The closing is (finally!) scheduled for next Thursday, which seems a bit unreal since we've had a contract on it since October! We are also still trying to sell our current house in this ridiculously slow market--if you've got any clout with St. Joseph, put in a good word for us, mkay?

Here are some shots of the outside:

The front, obviously

The back

View from the front steps (big front lawn)

Partial view from the back of the house--

the fence separates the back yard from pasture

Our "shed," or outbuilding, or whatever it's called

The back pastures

The whole property is 17 acres. It's been used as cattle pasture until now. We have a few plans in the works for it down the road. For now we're going to focus on getting into the house and making some repairs/updates. The property also has a huge pond; Henry can't wait to get in "Henry's Boat," which is a half-sunk little fiberglass dingy that has seen better days. Maybe when it warms up a bit...

As we work on the inside, I'll show some before and after photos so you can keep up with our progress. First items to tackle on the to-do list: remove layers of wallpaper, repair drywall, and replace 32-year-old royal blue shag carpeting (we're pretty sure there's no wood flooring under there--it's likely original to the house). Feel free to stop by and help out if you've got some extra time on your hands!

Snow Days!

Baby sister!

Henry wants everyone to know that Baby Sister is doing well!

Henry's 3!

Some belated birthday pictures:

3 Chatham boys ready for the cold

Henry's Ernie and Bert cake, specially made by Grandmom

The birthday hat lives on!

Henry's big present was a play kitchen made by mommy and daddy!

(We had help from Uncle Tim and Doodah, too--thanks, guys!)

Notice that he managed to rip off the curtain within 5 minutes.

(Daddy fixed it, though.)

Unfortunately I don't have any pictures to share from Christmas--we drove to Louisiana without a charged battery for our camera. Mommy and daddy fail.

Tis the season

for Christmas trees,

25-degree wagon rides,

and baking cookies!

I love this picture--Henry's trying to hug the dog, and Gipper looks scared to death!

Henry is very excited that he's going to have a baby sister!

Our 20-week ultrasound looked great, and confirmed the femininity of the baby.

At least she's a modest one!

Announcement

We're knocked up. Tune in around April 22, 2010, for more details.

That is all.

Hanging out with my cousins

Since the last time I updated, Henry's had lots of quality time with some of his cousins. In August we visited family in Maryland and New Jersey.

Zoey, Will, and Henry enjoyed playing cars with Pop Pop.

We got them to sit still (almost) for a group portrait.

The next day, everybody hung out at the beach in Atlantic City.

Sandy juice is apparently quite delicious!

Henry LOVED the beach!

Little waves!

Last weekend we had a visit from Grandmom, Pop Pop, and Cousin Zoey. Henry and Zoey dressed up for HallZOOeen at the Cincinnati Zoo. Zoey loved her ladybug costume. Henry eventually figured out that it was futile to try to get his off.

We had a great time, and ate lots of junk food!

Henry's been a busy big boy.

Here he is showing off his new "boy bed!"

Notice the "Bumbob" sheets--all part of the bribery.

The boys love their Guitar Hero.

"Rock, Daddy!"

"You rock!"

And here is photographic proof that our son does, indeed, eat turnips.

In other news, Dennis and I are waist-deep into our Couch-to-5K training. We just finished Week 4 (of 9)! We're planning to run the Constitution 5K on September 20th. Well, maybe hoping is a better word. If anyone wants to visit that weekend, you can hang out at the Constitution Square Arts Fest, then fight over who gets to babysit during the race.

No lollygagging today.

Henry does enjoy a good swing--just not necessarily in the primary way intended.

Sliding is still fun, too!

The garden is off to a good, albeit slightly tardy, start!

One can never have too much Thomas...

...especially if one's name is Henry!

Outside!

So if you've been wondering what we (and by we, I mean, mainly Henry) have been up to, it's "Outside!" Every evening when I walk up the stairs, Henry is waiting for me at the top, saying, "Outside, Mommy! Outside!" Then he grabs my hand and tries to drag me to the back door. He loves to do anything and everything, as long as it's outside. For example:

Helping tumble Mommy's compost bin.

Gipper enjoys "Outside!" too, just not as actively.

Watering the yard.

Check out my awesome new slide! Thanks, Mere and Doodah!

The inaugural run.

I've got this landing thing down!

Can you feel the fun?

Check out my sweet bike trailer!

Hmm, not sure they know how to ride those things yet...good thing I've got my Thomas helmet.

Whew! I survived!

Now I'll show them how it's done, and looking good while doing it.