{ HAPPY ONE YEAR }

… one year ago today we signed endless papers; turned a key; celebrated with friends and family; toasted with tequila; danced in an empty living room to the music in our heads; filled an air mattress; and started the journey to making this house our home.

…since then, we’ve been hard at work crossing items off our to-do list:

Prune out-of-control landscape

Replace the roof

Repair the fascia and eaves

Replace the water heater

Underground electrical service entrance

Upgrade electrical panel

Replace electrical outlets

Replace exterior light fixtures

Replace bedroom ceiling fans

Install new air conditioning system

Repair damaged drywall in ceiling and walls

Replace window sills

Replace broken window

Install hurricane proof garage door

Install impact resistant patio door

Replace kitchen and rear garage door

Redo linen closet
Paint interior

Paint exterior and

Painted our door red

…today we put a candle on a yummy Publix cheesecake, sang Happy Birthday (seemed like the most appropriate song), and looked forward to the years to come.

{ CHRISTMAS '11 }

…although its been three months, it was our first Christmas at the house and one we’ll always remember.

…we made a wreath and it had a nose and ears.

…Sketch loved the Christmas Tree, he might have considered marking his territory, but instead, he laid in front of it everyday.

…we enjoyed looking for and finding beautiful ornaments that we’d cherish for years to come. we also loved making some of our own.

…and Sketch enjoyed his Christmas gifts.

{ SKETCH'S BIRTHDAY }

…not exactly a holiday, but we also celebrated Sketch and Petite’s second birthday. we made them delicious cupcakes with peanut butter frosting. they loved them so much, they forgot they had hats on.

Left: Laika aka: Pelusa (Sketch's mom), Sketch, Jack (Sketch's dad). Right: Jack

Left: Sketch. Right: Petite (Sketch's sister) and Pelusa.

…they sang!

...Petite and Sketch

...Sketch

…by that way, that lovely kitchen in the background is not ours. it’s actually my parent’s house. they just remodeled, so we might feature it on a post soon!

{ HALLOWEEN '11 }

…our second year carving pumpkins! we got a little more daring this year and got bigger ones. luckily, Miami Shores Presbyterian Church had a great selection. Sketch came along to help us pick them out. I think they turned out quite well.

…Miami Shores is a great place to Trick-or-Treat. we plan on venturing out next year; but this year we really enjoyed everyone coming by, including our friends the Zaneys!

…we also made our first yarn wreath! what do you think?

{ FOURTH OF JULY ‘11 }

…we’ll start our updates with some of the holidays we have celebrated since we’ve been at the house.

…this year Fourth of July was extra special for us. not only was it when we “officially” started living at the house, but we also had our first house guests! that’s right, house guests! our great friends Michelle and Warren came to visit us from Baltimore. thankfully, they did not mind the lack of furniture or construction dust; because it was great having them here.

…we had an impromptu, but amazing day grilling, playing dominoes, laughing and celebrating.

…and towards the end of the night, we took a walk to the Miami Shores Country Club to watch the fireworks. perfect way to wrap up the night.

{ AND THIS IS HOW I TURNED RED }

…five months ago our door finally turned red and this was how it happened…

  …changing the peephole and hardware…

…wish we could show you our house numbers, but we are still paranoid about that. you’ll have to come visit and see for yourself.

{ ORCHIDS, SHRUBS, TREES, AND BUTTERFLIES }

...first order of business: yard work.

…Sketch contemplating his yard