Saturday, July 25, 2009

Southern visitors

We have been settling in to Middletown little by little. This week Bammi and Peppy (and Heyward) are all visiting from south GA. They have all had fun with the boys and visiting the Essex steam train and two days in Mystic seaport which are both pretty close to us. We've all been enjoying the results of Peppy's generous trip to Sam's Club that filled our fridge and pantry to overflowing-
Here are a few pictures from the week:

Willy playing ball--

The Branraisers cut this frame and James and I helped raise it last Saturday; its a replica of a New Haven trainstop and seats 20 people--

The boyz--


Potheads--


Mom and James at the aquarium watching for Stellar sea lions


Lillies at the aquarium in Mystic--


James fervently explaining away some disreputable actions--

Predator--




Prey--

Friday, July 10, 2009

Maiers in da house

We realize how long it has been since our last post, and also how eager to see photos, and to hear information, our friends and family have been. Many apologies for the delay. Though we could be considered professional movers by this point, it was a HUGE endeavor. At least it seems to be a huge endeavor when one tries it with two children under three who are dying to help out/crawl in boxes/get involved/unpack what you are packing/or pack what you are unpacking.
Now, with just about 2 weeks in the house we are finally putting things on the walls, and managing to find homes for all of our items.
That being said, it is nice to move into a home with the knowledge that you will not have to move again for a long, long time. Hopefully, when we leave this place it will be about 2070. Without further ado, please enjoy photos of our place. Please understand that it is not quite up to museum status-- things are still a little messy and piled up while we make the final touches. We fear that if we wait until everything is perfect, you will not see photos until approximately 2019.


First-- the kitchen. Not enough counter space, but honestly: what kitchen has? Mike felt compelled to remove the cabinet doors early in the process, to allow visual access to all plates, cups, mugs, and glasses. The fridge, though from the 1970s is actually a replacement of the fridge that was in place when we moved in (by generous donation of Splint and Lydia). The original refrigerator was from at most 1952, was rusty inside, opened the wrong way and lacked several key shelves.


The '57 Chevy of OVENS. We love it.


Our dining room/ Mike's computer area. Much more space than the old place.

Our living room, in which the dogs are now extremely comfortable, as you can see.


another shot of the living room.



the stairway, with the beginnings of our mega-photo-gallery. We have begun to love this wallpaper [from the '40's?/ '50's?/ 60's?-- who knows?]




this is 'the nook'. when we moved in, we planned for this to be Willy's bedroom, but realized later it was deemed a 'nook' instead of a bedroom because it has no door and no closets... closets we can work around. Doors for the baby's room: we need. For now Willy's crib is in the guest room and the nook is a staging ground. We plan to get a door on there before the Owens grandparents and cousin Heyward visit in 2 weeks... please cross all appendages.

the "master" bedroom. The street noises are keeping us on our toes-- July 4th in particular was a late night for the inhabitants of Grand Street and their fireworks. Otherwise, it is comfortable, simple and JUST RIGHT.


Willy's crib in the guest room. We have a small child's bed donated from friends Izzy and Jeff, but since Willy is currently awake and ready to explore at 5AM, we decided to give it a few weeks before the transition.



This is James' kingdom. His books fill the shelves, his guys are on the bed, and his 'Carnivores of Africa' poster is on the wall. He takes up about 9% of his bed, pillows maybe 14% and the remaining 77% is all stuffed animals and books. His room is quite small, and currently features this ample chest of drawers, and a closet that he has turned into a fort: including wall mural in the closet made from purple marker and ball point pen. Naturally we support his artistic endeavors, especially those taking place in the closet.

Thursday, June 18, 2009

Fingers crossed

We are holding our breath tonight as we wait to hear about the legal status of our house in probate court today. It turned out the house we have a contract on was owned by an elderly woman who passed away shortly after we signed the contract. Long story short we are scheduled to close tomorrow morning if all goes well in probate court today with the estate. Champagne only after the fat lady sings. Homebrew while we wait. Okay- so while I was waiting for the videos to upload we heard that everything went well in court and we are set to sign the papers tomorrow morning. I'll believe it when it is all said and done.

We have been enjoying a beautiful, if rainy, spring while we have been going back and forth on the house and packing and trying to organize all the little details of moving. I hope to update my timberframe blog soon with two new projects I've been working on here in the neighborhood- nice to work close to home for a while- and nice to do the design and cutting for the most part.
Katharine is doing well with research and teaching; she leaves Sunday for a conference in Madison WI. Between research and teaching an extra class and applying for more grants, she has been keeping well busy.
James is fast approaching four and has lots of interesting theories about the world and all the strange things in it. He keeps us on our toes. Here he is practicing flying in a bird costume he came up with--



Today, the boys got to help with some timberframe layout when they got up from naps.


Willy has been talking up a storm all of a sudden. About two weeks ago he woke up and just started naming everything he could and does not stop until he falls asleep in the evening. Its mostly hilarious; we are all learning more about language as he fills in the gaps. He is still a bruiser- here is a nice shiner from a header off the couch:



The boys sharing a rare quiet moment on the couch-

We end up with a lot of bath pictures- I think because it is one of those rare moments where they are contained in a limited space and we actually have time to grab the camera. Here they are sliding down the back of the tub--



James and Katharine pinning the bugs we caught in the state park with our sweep net. Katharine is the only one with the patience to pin all those tiny guys--

Sunday, May 17, 2009

Spring fun

We are all enjoying the onset of the warmer weather and everything turning green over the last couple of weeks. The boys particularly like playing in the big mud puddle that forms in our backyard. Hopefully in another week or two we will have the final word on when we close on the house in Middletown- we are all looking forward to finally having our own place and even unpacking those last couple of boxes that we have just left alone since we knew we would be moving on soon.

James was thrilled to help me split kindling out of cedar scraps in his Superman pajamas-






Tuesday, May 05, 2009

Potential

Here are some photos of the latest house we are considering in Middletown-








Friday, April 03, 2009

James' BFF

Aunt Peg and cousin Brendan came to visit last weekend and we all had a great time. James and Brendan are like peas in a pod and spent the whole weekend discussing the issues like only two 4 year olds can. Willy hung tough and enjoyed getting some less divided attention from Mom and Dad as well. Brendan was particularly attached to the harmonica in our music box and we promised him we would get him one for his birthday. Aunt Peg was surprised when she stopped for a potty break on her way home Monday and heard Brendan playing the harmonica (which somehow! ended up in his pocket) at the rest stop on the Garden State Parkway. Happy Birthday Brendan!


James
The line-up:

Getting ready for the big race-

Aunt Peg has had enough questions-


The BJO-

Bed Time-

Willy, disqualified-