Welcome to O'Fallon

I just realized that I had not posted pictures of our new home. It's such a perfectly sized first home for us. The vaulted ceilings and ceiling fans in every room make it a more spacious feel and keep us cool in the humid summers. The master bedroom and bath are on one side of the house and the two other bedrooms and bathroom are on the other side, "split bedroom" concept.
Thanks for the vibrant area rug (you know who), it really adds color to the room and hides that big carpet crease! Welcome to the living room. To the right is the entertainment/computer desk. As you can see, Suzanna loves the fireplace area. She now plays Little People on its mantel.
This is the breakfast nuk, as you enter the front door, it is to the left. The garage door is along that wall, and it is across from the washer and dryer room. The stain glass window is the same as above the master garden tub. Suz has her own little snack and preschool table (just like yours, Alisha)!
The kitchen is nice and big, and I especially love the bay windows near the dining room table.Here's the master bedroom. Plenty of sunshine and room.
I love the master bath, there are two sinks and a garden tub. Next to the tub is the shower and a ginormus walk in closet. What you can't see is a little window with stain glass above the garden tub.
We love our little home! You are all welcome to come and visit! Last call before the Reading Room is taken by the little baby coming in July!

Welcome to O'Fallon Part 2

This is the Reading Room. The bookshelf, piano and desk are in here. Right now we have visiting family and friends sleep in here. In 5 months, this will be the new baby's room. Okay, Suz's room should come next, but she should be napping right now. But instead of napping, I hear her saying "NO" to herself and tossing the books over board. Oh, my little Suz. So, once quiet time is officially over, I'll add her room.Just the second bath....Suz rules it right now with all her fun stuff in the tub.I really love the backyard and fenced in area. We have some trees and a high fence for more privacy. Do you see our little Burt play house....just like yours, Alisha! The little neighbor girl (8-year-old Brooke) came over this morning. She wanted to play in the backyard with Suz before her bus came. (She woke up early just to play!) She said she bets it will be hard having two little ones to take care of once the new baby comes. Brooke made me cry when she said she could help out, play with Suzanna before she catches the bus (0715) and when she's done with her homework. I cried because I was filled with so much love from this little girl, and the tears also came from memories of Maddy coming over and helping me with Suzanna. The time I tweaked my back, I couldn't even pick up Suz, Alisha helped me out and when she couldn't, Maddy came over and was my two hands. I miss you so much Maddy!
It's so hard not being able to walk down the street to visit my Alisha.
We felt really overwhelmed with all the foreign plants, pruning and mole/bunny problem when we first moved in. Needless to say we were thrilled to have a Master Gardner come help us out. Thanks Mom!

AS PROMISED......

The little one decided not to nap today. As I said before, she was talking to herself the entire hour and forty minutes. I heard her say "NNNNNNNNOOOO" (with the longated /n/) and also tossing books over the crib. When I finally went in there, I found a wild looking girl with her ponies pulled out of her hair, thus the picture.

Our Little Pianist

While in Tennessee at the Simmons family party we noticed a piano. It didn't take long for Suzanna to discover it.


Do you see what we see?
A future pianist!

Who loves books?

A little tid bit on Suzanna...
Suz is such a book worm! You can't keep her away from wanting to read more and more. We read to hear each evening for about 15-20 minutes before bed time, but if she catches you sitting down any time during the day, it's fair game.
She'll run and get some books, crawl into your lap and point to the different pages for you to read. Don't get ahead of yourself, she turns the pages by herself, all you do is add some sound effects and some words and this is one happy camper.

Suz on the go

Suz with her Christmas sweater and little hat. It was chilly outside but it kept her warm. We love it! (Thanks Aunt Kristy!) Suz is always on the go, she loves when we let her walk by herself. She is pretty trustworthy, she'll stay on the sidewalk and not veer off into the street.

New Year Visitor

We had a visitor this New Years staying with us. I'm not sure how much of a party people we are, especially when it comes to staying up after 2100 we're ready to hit the sheets.
But Josh came anyhow and it was nice to spend time with him. He was a very cordial and polite house guest.

Who is Josh, you might ask. If you aren't from around the parts of Spencer Tennessee, nor have served with him in the Navy, Josh is a family friend of the Shockley's. Casey has known him since they were in grade school. The Hubbard family would invite Casey on family trips...he was like another son to them. While Casey was in the Marines, Josh joined the Navy. He's now out and going to school. It was a nice day to visit St. Louis and the Arch. Although the trees were not in bloom, the clouds made a pretty sight.
We found a stump, put Suz on it and took this. What a good baby, she stood still.