Home Sweet Home

I think this is the longest stretch I didn't blog.  I didn't like it.  Won't do that again. 

I admit, the move back in thing had lots to do with it.  More than a few things to manage...no wifi, then big rainfall, then wifi issues, then back online today.  It helps to have a general contractor who's a master electrician.  Contact me for his info :)

So let's recap the last 10 days.

If you follow me on instagram (lovingalbany) you would have seen this shot of my mom with us after a long weekend of packing up the apartment.  I'm dead serious when I say our move out never would have happened without her.  I don't know what I was thinking when I thought Steve and I could do it ourselves.  Um, no. 

Really.  No.

Then we left town.

For this.

My 10 week old nephew.  Hello, Ben.  Nice to meet you.  Please do not take notes from my boys. 

Also for this.

My brother's pool.  He lives 8 hours away in IL.  Like Jake said, he wanted to go swimming the whole time we were away for the 4th of July.  He almost did.

We also went to the zoo with my nephews.  One pictured below.

It was more fun than Henry made it look.

Back to the trip.  After the first few days, we continued to WI for the 4th of July. 
My home.

Is there anything better than illegal fireworks on the street?

Maybe a parade.

Unless the sun is shining like crazy and there's no shade for the 5 kids you're with.  Then it's sweatville.

Thank goodness Bubba (my dad) was marching in the beginning of the parade.

Somehow, Henry got a story stuck in his head that Bubba shot a bird out of the sky during the parade.  Hard to do with blanks.  But good story, Henry.

After the parade, it's carnival time at the park.

Then back to the house to eat dinner.  Only to return and watch fireworks.

Still with me?  Good. 

So after the 4th of July celebration in WI, we headed back to IL. 

More antics.

More pool.

Then I received a picture from my contractor. 

Progress!!!  Let's head for home.

Notice the haircut?  They all got one.  Buzzed for summer.

Then we got home.

Kitchen

Main Floor

Pantry

So good to be home.  So good! 

To sum it all up: Beautiful. Boxes. Boys everywhere. 
Oh-my-god-can-someone-take-my-kids-for-a-week-so-I-can-unpack?

Then I took a deep breath and ordered pizza.  Our first meal in our new old house.

Fast forward to today.  Henry is happy to be home.  I am happy for the growing pile of empty boxes behind him.

And the detail being attended to...like the barn door handle installed today!

Ignore the wine glass fruit fly graveyards traps.

Opposite view:

But don't be fooled.  This is the other side of the main floor.  Chaos!!!!

Boxes, sheets for drapes, random fans and tools.  Oh my.

But the powder room is coming along.  And getting lots of use.

So is the 2nd floor main bathroom.

Speaking of the 2nd floor, touchups are ongoing.  Can you see it?  I love it.

I leave you with my regret.  I told my contractor I wanted our 2nd floor closet to be a door that you don't see.  Something "disappearing".  He told me he already ordered the shaker door.  I said it needs to disappear.  So he built it.  It didn't work out.  It didn't match.

So today he built what should have been.  The shaker door.

So. Much. Better.  Keep me out of the way, please???!!!

I promise to post more.  With less pictures.  Promise.