Thankful

We have been in the house for ten weeks. Blink. of. an. eye. November came and went so fast that I find myself still planning what I'm going to take to Thanksgiving dinner -- and then I realize it's already happened!

I am ashamed to admit that we haven't made a whole lot of progress on the house over the last month or so, but in our defense... we've had a million few other things going on. For one, I officially completed a full year of graduate school! (Not to mention, I stepped foot in six states over the last four weeks: Georgia, Florida, Kentucky, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts!) 

I did some traveling for work, but the highlight of our month was our trip to Connecticut. This was our fourth year in a row visiting Lauren and Matthew over the Thanksgiving weekend; and it has turned in to one of our favorite traditions. This year, we decided to rent a car while we were there, so we could take a day trip up the coast. Our first stop was Jamestown, Rhode Island -- followed by a drive through Newport. 

Honestly, Rhode Island was hands-down one of the most beautiful places I've ever had the opportunity to visit. Between the cliffs, the history, and the colonial homes -- I was sold, and Jeff couldn't stop trying to guess how many fireplaces were in each mansion. We are definitely going back. 

We also drove to Boston and walked the Freedom Trail. Jeff's inner history-buff was in heaven.

We had a really great trip, mainly because of this guy. "Uncccccllleeee Jefffffffffff..."

November was a wild month; but we could not be more excited about each step we take. I have to say, home ownership is not for the birds!

We are really looking forward to spending our first Christmas in the new house. We have a lot to be grateful for this holiday season, and I cannot wait to celebrate with friends and family. 

This weekend, we'll be pulling out all of the holiday decorations and putting up the first of many Christmas trees in the formal living room. We are pretty excited -- I promise to post photos! 

All our love, 

Ryan and Jeff

The Hallway

I can take zero credit for this project.

I was conveniently busy last weekend, so Jeff and a friend did the majority of the work. (I am only slightly disappointed to have missed all of the fun.)

The hallway was the last remaining room to be de-carpeted and we thought it would only take a few hours, need a good cleaning, and we'd be finished.

We have been ripping up carpet for about a month straight now and are beginning to fancy ourselves carpet-removing-experts; but, nothing could have prepared us for this.

That is 50 years of dirt, rotted carpet pad, dust, and adhesive. Yep, it was really that bad.

Thankfully, I have a burley-gentleman-fellow who spent his ENTIRE Sunday making this magic happen:

              

Doesn't he look thrilled, and super excited about me taking his picture? But more importantly, aren't you impressed with the floors?

They have yet to be cleaned and polished as there are a few things Jeff still wants to finish up; and we have barely touched the walls, save ripping down one half of the wallpaper [and that was only thanks to a super productive, pint-sized friend of ours] - - however, I couldn't help but share.

Seriously, take another look at the before shot -- that mess was adhered to the hardwoods.

Obviously, we are far from finished with the hallway, but we are feeling particularly accomplished knowing that our carpet-ripping-up-days are over.