Whew, Lots of Work

So, we contracted to buy a house. Great, but that means we got to sell ours. We busted our butts, but we managed to get our house in tip top shape for listing and showings in less then a week.

The house has never looked this good! Our realtor is very impressed with our work and says it shows beautifully. Now we need a buyer with the same opinion. Here's the listing: http://www.cbshome.com/Listing/ListingSearchResults.aspx?Search=3bc5b132-47b0-4d9d-b319-9b5b81f5320a&SearchType=&ListingType=1&ListingDistrictTypeID=&FirstLetter=&Sort=1

We're looking forward to the 3-day weekend to recover from the exhausting week.

A New House

Ever since Jim took over his side of the garage with motorcycle junk, LeAnna has been toying with the idea of getting another house, one with a larger garage. There are a few other things she was looking for: a larger family room, a mud room and a 4th bed room.

Jim got on board easily, what man in America wouldn't want a bigger garage? Also, they always planned on buying another house at some point, and now is a great time to be buying with interest rates still low and a buyers market.

We've agreed to buy a house about 15 blocks from our current house. It's 3600 sq. ft. with 5 bed rooms and 4 baths. A nice finished walk-out basement and covered deck. It was a "Street of Dreams" house in '91. It's amazing!


We'll be moving in mid October. Our house is now ready will be listed before Labor Day weekend.

A trip to New England: Part Three: The Poleshuks

We had the opportunity to visit with Jim's father and his side of the family. In fact, we were blessed to be able to stay with George and Paulette one week after they moved into their beautiful new home!


Here is the 4 generation picture. Nana Alice, George, Austin, and Jim.



Jim particularly enjoyed reconnecting with Paulette's boys, Bob, Dave and Craig.

Bob, the oldest, is currently working two jobs, one with George at George's Tire Place.
Dave has his own place in Barre and runs his landscaping and plowing business.
Craig and Erin, recently married, are settling into their new house on the lake. Craig is a short trip trucker and the newlyweds are expecting a baby, which will be Paulette's second grandchild. 2 grandkids at 38, how does she do it? :)

Unfortunately, the entire Dupont family escaped the lens of our camera, that's OK, their pictures would probably break your computer monitor anyway. JK!


Austin with Grandpa. Getting an early start with that Patriot's Gear!

In addition to visiting family, it was a good opportunity for the three of us to spend time together.

The Quabbin Reservoir.






Here Jim is getting ready to chew on Austin's "Yummy Tummy". Austin loves this and giggles and giggles. He then turns on his side to encourage daddy to keep going.


Here, LeAnna managed to capture a rare moment on film. Jim was inflicting "The big toe hold" on LeAnna's toe. She said he'd better stop or she would take photographic evidence.

A Trip to New England: Part Two. The Baxters

Of course the real reason to visit Massachusetts was not to go to Cape Cod or even Gillette Stadium ( The Patriots are going for their 4th Super Bowl this year) , but to show off Austin to family.

We had a cook out (sort of) with Jim's mom and step-dad and we also went to an animal exhibit in Ludlow of all places. Austin loved the monkeys and the tailless stray cat that couldn't get enough attention.

Here's a great picture of Austin, Dave and Cindy after church on Sunday. Needless to say, Austin was quite popular and they enjoyed their time with him.



Cindy is quite occupied with her busy career and Stake Primary calling. Dave keeps out of trouble by maintaining his internet business and restoring "Harry" a decommissioned Police interceptor. (remember Chips?)





Jim actually got to work on Harry for about 4 hours. It's not really work though when you enjoy it as much as he does.



Last but not least, we stole a picture of Buddy the Basset Hound, one of the friendliest dog we've ever met. Austin was a big fan.



Let's go Pats! Make it 4!

A Trip to New England: Part One. The Cape

The 3 of us took a trip to Massachusetts to see family, However, before visiting the new grandparents, we spent the day at Cape Cod.

If you look closely you'll see the seals. Common at this beach

Austin's 6 Months Old

Officially on the 31st of July. We didn't throw a party or anything, but he did make it to the Doctor for a check up.





Clean bill of health. The doctor said that Austin was the perfect "Gerber Baby"

~74th percentile in height. 27 inches I think
~37th percentile in weight. 16 lbs 12 oz.

He wasn't much of a fan of his shots.

Diploma

It finally came. Only took 6 months. Jim thus far is undecided if he's going to return to school.

Wild Times in the Back Yard

Earlier, we noticed a toad had the misfortune of falling down our recess window. So when the Ludlows came over on Sunday, LeAnna suggested that Kassie help Jim get the toad out. They were successful, and I'm sure the toad was grateful, at the time.

A few minutes later, Kesa wanted to see the toad, so the three went out to find the rescued reptile. Not far from where he was released, Kesa spotted the toad. It appeared to be stuck under the AC unit. As Jim tried to free the toad (for the 2nd time) he found the amount of resistance odd so he began pulling harder. It was then when he saw the cause of the resistance; a snake's head was latched to the other end of the toad!!

It would appear that this slimy serpent had been laying in wait under the AC unit and found himself quite the meal. Unfortunately for him, his meal was too big to fit under the AC.

Jim reacted as any middle-class, white, suburban male, who just so happened to have a stick in his hand when faced with a snake a few inches from his nose...... He shouted "Holy Crap! It's a snake!" ( Yes, he kept the language clean in front of the girls. We're proud of him for that) and promptly slammed the stick down on the snake's head, pinning it to the ground.

As you'd expect, the snake didn't like that much so it started reeling and jerking it's long and rather plump body around in an attempt to get free. What a sight. So much so that Jim then shouted, "get the camera". So the girls when in to get the camera and spread the word. Soon, along with the camera, the whole family came out to witness the unlikely event.

Here's the pictures:












Obviously, the first photo is the Money Shot.

Jim managed to get the toad free but soon the snake escaped back under the A/C unit. After acquiring better snake hunting implements, Mark suggested moving the AC. As soon as they did, that snake took off fast, heading down a hole in the ground near the house foundation.

This rather large guarder snake who had gotten fat from eating bugs and the occasional toad has not been seen since. I don't know about you, but if I were him, I'd have found another hiding spot too.