John & Jennifer Howell Family: November 2006

Snow Day

Today (November 26th) it actually snowed in calm, temperate and mild Sequim! And snowed and snowed and snowed. This isn't dry powder snow either - it's wet and heavy and a real mess. As we were getting ready for church we watched the weather go from cold, to rain to snow. Weston was in awe and wanted to go outside. Tyler saw the snow and has spent the whole day calling it ba-bles (bubbles).

We made it to church, but half way through they canceled and sent everyone home hoping we could get home before it got worse or too dark (no one here really knows how to drive in or live in snow, even if they did it's been years and it's a little scary when an entire town doesn't know how to drive in wet, slick snow). When we got home, John was going to go shovel our neighbors walk-way and Weston wanted to go make snow balls. Tyler went along for the ride until it got too cold and then just wanted to be inside and was a little upset when I ventured out to take pictures of Weston and his 'snowballs'. I think to him - size (not density) is the prize factor!

But eventually it was time to come in. Weston was so cold - having gone through a few pairs of gloves until John's finally stayed on and dry, that his little hands were as red as his face. We made Stan's amazing hot chocolate and warmed up enough to eat a late lunch. Weston, who loved the idea of ice cream floats with hot chocolate. Ate the ice cream out of the bucket before it made it into the hot chocolate. And then had to go get more snow from outside to put in his bucket to make more ice cream! It was pretty funny!

We had probably 4" of snow now and most likely will get more as it is still snowing - 8 hours later. And it's a fairly heavy side blowing snow!

We are enjoying it though, it may be the only snow we get this season!

We are Home!

We moved into our new house the week of Oct 15th. Which was really nice since our contract date for completion was the 15th, we really were only a few days late. And all in all are very happy with the house. John more so than I - because the builder 'conveniently' forgot about things I had specifically requested. And the painters still haven't painted the front door (which was supposed to be wood stain, but wont be) and we have blue tape everywhere .... but I'll stop there, because I can go on and on with my frustrations. But I too, love the house. We love being in our own home and having the possibility to do whatever we want. Which is really what we did.

And now after living here for a few weeks (we were gone almost 2 of the 4 since we've moved in) It already feels more like home than our last house did or our last residence, a rental of 18 months. We love it and hope to get it furnished and decorated at some point while we still have a few years living in the house ahead of us! Getting pictures hung would be a good start!

here are some picts. Though they are not professional quality, hopefully you can see the basics of the house - and how sparse the furnishings are! (Any donations will be accepted!!!!! ) We do have blinds on order though - which is a huge plus considering we lived in our Lehi house a year with nothing on the windows! And we are considering a table for Christmas this year - we'll see!? Tyler might even get his own bed too, more than just a matress!

Kitchen/ Dining Room

I wanted a dining/eating area seperate from the kitchen. I'm a messy cook - and I don't like to see the mess while I eat. So this was our solution - a partial wall between the two rooms. The kitchen is great. We are missing an island though. Which is on order from our carpenter - as soon as he has time. I really hope that is sooner than later! But that will be really nice to have and fill the space a little better.

We chose to not have upper cabinets. Just on the wall over the desk - for eating dishes. And above the fridge for serving dishes. Otherwise. Everything fits below and in the pantry - where we have the microwave. It is working great so far. I have yet to organize the pantry - so it seems a little small - but I think once I can clean it out I will enjoy the amount of space I do have! And I love the swinging door. I never have to worry about it being open and messy and I don't have to worry about Weston trying to lock people out or in - one of his new favorite games!

Mudroom/Laundry room

We used the space under the stairs for a mud room, and though I wish now we had put the garage door closer to that area rather than the front door - it works great. We still need some hooks so we don't keep using the bench (fun garden bench from my store - that I love!) to drape our coats over.

The laundry is a mess and always will be - that's why I wanted a seperate room for it! And that is why I didn't get a picture from inside the room!

Living room/front entry

This is basically it, a big room with door openings to everything else in the house. A bit like our house in Lehi - only with color and - stairs! We love the yellow and dark brown carpet. probably our favorite parts! And the amount of light we get. It makes it really nice!

And eventually - again - we will have window treatments, but we love the big window for now!

And you can see the tape and paper on the front door. We get a lot of light through there - when there isn't paper over the glass!

Master Bedroom

Not much to this room. I do love the paint though - I spent a lot of time on that and some $. So I'm really glad it turned out. It is a 'chambray' or 'linen texture' faux finish done with glazing. it was fun to do.

And eventually - we will get a duvet cover that matches the room and some window treatments. And hopefully some one will buy our little chaise there. We have it listed on Craigs list - but only a few emails so far. Nothing commiting. And then we will have space - if not $$ for a desk or nice leather chair in that space!

Master Bath

John loves this room - especially the shower. measuring I think something like 5'x6'. It's huge. We should have done two shower heads - but didn't want to be 'extravagant'. ha ha....... Weston's favorite room too - other than the upstairs and kitchen sink because he can stand in the shower and play and not get wet!

Huge shower, toilet room to the right of the vanity, nice big closet to the left of the vanity.. The vanity was my design, and other than a mis-measure and bad fix on the carpenters side (giving the extra wings on the sides and smaller shelves) we really like it! We are still waiting on a wood frame for the mirror. That is coming as soon as the carpenter is not so busy with some new projects.

Extra Bath

You can't see it that well, but it's kind of a 'u' shape. John did a great job space planning this so we had a lot of space and no visual of the toilet from the door! We haven't done anything with the room - and need baskets, etc. for the shelf. But who knows, we may end up painting???? It's all on hold right now!

Weston and Tyler's room

It is blue and the boys seem to like it! It is missing a bed for Tyler and more decorations or fun stuff on the walls. But this is basically it!

Guest Room and Upstairs

Guest room - brown... pretty safe we thought. To all visitors - yes we will have blinds on that window - not to worry. And the junk pile will be gone - or moved upstairs!

Upstairs, as messy as it looks - it is still really nice. I don't worry about the boys cleaning up that much, I don't see it - so I don't have too.

I can't complain - look at the mess in my room! Always dumped into and boxes gone through - but never organized!!! We love it! It holds everything we would ever want to store in a basement! Except the water heater and furnace I guess!!

Maui Picts

Aloha from Maui

November 4th, John and I flew from Rainy, cold and wintery Seattle to the warm, humid, tropic island of Maui. And we are loving it! Weston and Tyler get to stay with Grandpa Steve and Grandma Liz, and I hope are loving it there.

Saturday, we found our condo, bought a few groceries for the week and went to the beach to watch the sunset. Then walked around Kihei and found some fun little street shops.

Sunday, we tried to go to church, but because it was Stake conference the ward was gone. But we and a few of the other sawtooth employee families had a little "sunday school". Then left and went to Ioa state park and loved it there. The weather has been incredible, the scenery even better. And we love LOVE that we are able to just up and go do whatever we want!

Monday, we spent the entire morning snorkeling, some around the volcano caves and south side of Maui, then over by Molikini - the volcano crater. Snorkeling is so incredible.. We are definately hooked, and plan to get certified to dive so on the 'next' trip, we can do a little more of that!

Tuesday, we went to the Maui ocean center, which was fairly incredible. Learning such things as fish who roam in harems and when the male dies, the biggest female changes her sex to male..... another reason not the be the 'biggest' female around!

Wednessday, well it is just begining. But we plan to spend the majority of the day snorkeling again. We have been told of great places to snorkel with wonderful beaches and again, great scenery... two of Johns cohorts are going diving and we will start of with them and see where the day takes us... probably up the road to Hana in the afternoon... we'll see!