Tuesday, October 29, 2013

Lately..

I'm a little nervous...tomorrow I have to drive a car with a KANSAS license plate.  AHH!!!  WHAT??!!  The license plate doesn't look right on the car.  I think I need to just go out and look at it for a little bit longer for it to sink in.  I live in Kansas.  Who would've guessed that 2 years ago?     Okay, okay.  Enough of my ranting.  I am very happy to be in the mid-west :)  Yes, I just have to get used to the tag on my car.  ha!  (thanks to my parents for letting us "buy" the car!!)


I just HAD to snap a picture of Aaron working tonight!!!  I was just so happy to see him out there working so hard in his garage already!  He's such a hard worker and when he wants something done, he does it quickly, and very thorough.  So he has a cement counter-top project going on right now, and he needed something to put them on.  I suggested 5 gallon bucks...ha!  That's a laugh.  Aaron built these MEGA strong saw horses (is that how you spell it, Jenna?) in like 20 minutes.


On to a new subject.  I went through my phone and saw this cute sequence of pictures from when we had our Apple theme at school.  I had the kids help with each step of making applesauce.  They got to use (very dull) knives and cutting boards to cut the apples.  Then they loved watching them cook and smelled the sweet goodness!  Finally we put it through the food mill and got to eat the applesauce!




A couple weeks ago the extended Billings family had a reunion in Salina, Kansas, at a nice park!  We took a few family pictures and I had to post this nice one of us!  The day was beautiful for a carry-in meal, and we got to play most of the afternoon with the niece and nephew on the playground.  


Happy "Hump" Day Everyone!
We are missing and loving both sets of family!
-Maria

Saturday, October 26, 2013

Pictures of our New Home!


 Let's talk about our new home!  We are completely loving everything about our house.  About a week ago we moved in and got started right away with some small home improvement jobs.  The bigger jobs were updating light fixtures, installing new ceiling fans, cleaning the gutters, and installing a washer/dryer.  Aaron of course did a spectacular job...seems like it runs in the Billings genes!  

Our new address is 224 S. Weaver Hesston, KS 67062.  
My awesome mother already sent us a house warming gift!


The garage was on the agenda for today, and it turned out great!!  I can just picture the two men in the house spending some time out here.



This is the back door, with the coat rack that my handy man hung for me!   Oh and the awesome Jean Rug that came from VA!


Back patio door on the right, and a basement door on the left.  We were already able to enjoy using the grill in the awesome Fall weather!



Here's our kitchen!  It has already been put to good use.  Our first big remodeling project will be to put in new counter-tops, which are already made and waiting to be completed!  We thought the blue counter-tops looked a little dated and we wanted to try something new.


The laundry is kept behind the fold-able doors in the ktichen, which has become very handy.


I had to take a picture of this wedding gift :)



The office has an awesome book shelf, however currently it needs some decorating help.



On the main floor is the kitchen, dining room, living room, office, and a bathroom.  The bathroom you see here is connected to the office and was nicely remodeled by the previous owners.



Here's the view at the top of the stairs of the guest bedroom and the "blue room" (which has nothing in it yet).




Casey likes to lay right next to the window that's really low and bark at people.  It's cute.


This is the other view from the top of the stairs of the bathroom and master bedroom.


Upstairs bathroom


The master has a little room that we put our dresser in and then it's connected to the rest of the room.



I specifically took a picture of two of the fans Aaron installed.  Wow they look great!  (much better than the small, white fans that were there before)


I love our living area downstairs!!  It's so cozy.



Happy Weekend!  
Maria

Friday, October 11, 2013

Babysitting Fun

Hello Everyone!  
Last weekend we had a great time hanging out with the Stucky family (Danielle, Bryan, Makenah & Logan)!!  We hosted their family for two nights, and had the privilege to babysit!  We had such a blast!  Aaron made an excellent lunch of PB&J with cheese sticks and grapes.  Yum!  



After lunch Logan went down for a nap and Makenah got our undivided attention.
This picture makes me smile so much!


Makenah and I got to take a short stroll around the block, water the plants in the front and back yard, and pick a bouquet of fall flowers!  Such a sweet, crafty girl.


School News!  It was fire safety week at school!  I sang a "Stop, Drop and Roll" song to the tune of Three Blind Mice, many times this week.  (I bet you're singing it in your head now...hehe)  We had the fire department do a little show for us and take a tour of the truck cab!  Many of the kids were terrified of the man breathing out of a scary tank.  Yikes!  Next week we're on to Fall apples and making applesauce!


Happy Weekend Ya'll!
-Maria

Sunday, October 6, 2013

House news and the dog!

Hi folks!  We will officially be closing on our current duplex October 18th, and on our new house the same day!  We are both very excited to move and make it our own!  We are planning to start moving Monday the 14th, so that we can be completely out of the house by Friday.  I have a short Fall Break from work on October 17-18th, so it's perfect timing!

I thought you might enjoy seeing a few cute pictures of Casey!
Sometimes he humors us and runs up the ramp, but it's not really his favorite.




He is always in need of a good brushing...


..and he sure sheds a lot! 


I love hanging out with this guy on the weekends, especially with this beautiful Fall weather!



Such handsome men!  (Sporting the awesome CHEIFS!!)


Oh and sometimes there are other dogs at the park who like to pester Casey Boy.
He is very good at dealing with the young pups chasing him.


Here's to a busy next couple of weeks moving!  
I can't wait to post pictures when we are all moved in to the new house!!!!
-Maria