Steph and the Boys

Here are some pics from Steph and the boys recent visit. Thank goodness they were here for two weeks because I caught a nasty cold half way through and had to lay low for a few days. We made it out to Red Rock Canyon, Bonnie Springs, and did Springs Preserve twice. Nothing like seeing the places you love through the eyes of the kids you love! Remy misses them a lot and I hope it won't be too long before they visit again.

Christmas 2012

Winter Fun at the Bellagio

Cangelosi Family 2012

We don't get a family portrait very often but with a brilliant photographer on vacation with us in September there was no excuse not to get one this year! It would be an understatement to say that Remy and Ross were not quite as thrilled as I was, but even without their full cooperation Steph managed to get some that I really love. She loves them a little less, but that is because she is an artist. Just for her reputation's sake I should mention that she only edited the second and third so isn't responsible for the other two.  :)

On a more personal note, I was pregnant in these pictures with a pregnancy that we lost a few weeks later. I was so tired, and trying to peer into a future that was shifting like an image in a kaleidoscope.  And yet there was a kind of serenity too - pregnancy is like an ultimatum from the universe that makes your purpose crystal clear. Now the kaleidoscope world has shifted again, but I am doing okay, and I know that whatever happens, peace is as close as the God who has promised never to leave us, never to forsake us.

Kitchen, Before and After

Even though the painting did not go smoothly I am so glad we didn't wait and got it done right away. We had the cabinets painted a basic white, the walls painted White Sand by Benjamin Moore, and the fridge is new (from Frigidaire, because it seemed like the best deal.) Eventually, we would love to replace the stove and the microwave with stainless steel versions to match the fridge and dishwasher. It's a great little kitchen and one of my favorite rooms in the new house.

Back on the Horse

We have just gone through one of those seasons. Lots of blessings, but lots of trials too. Topped off with a four night stay at the hospital and my third miscarriage. I am feeling shocked and wobbly.  But I came home Sunday to my beautiful house, my amazing husband, my precious, precious boy, my supportive parents...and it is time to get back on the horse.  I trust that if I just keep counting my blessings and doing whatever my hand finds to do things will start to feel right again.

Family Vacation

We originally planned this vacation before we had even put an offer on a house, so I had no idea that just one week after moving in we would be at Green Valley Ranch recuperating. How perfectly did that work out? It was so lovely - warm weather, yummy food, plenty of room at the pool, and three very happy little boys. If we ever get to do it again I hope more family can join us! (All of these picture's are from Steph's camera.)

My personal favorites from vacation 2012:

• Lunch at Lucille's. My new favorite restaurant. 
• Listening to the guys plan a board game.
• Remy blissfully shoveling sand.
• Fuzzy bathrobe and nice deep bathtub.
• Sun rises reflected on the beautiful arches outside our room.
• Stephy time. 

Awesome Progress

The first video is for a little more than a month ago and the second video is from today. You can see the amazing progress Remy is making since starting ABA therapy.

Rainbow

Mom, Remy and I were out on the balcony yesterday and got to see what is really a rare treat around here, a rainbow! A little sad to think that in less than a month we won't have this view anymore. We've been really lucky! But a rainbow means good things ahead, right? Looking forward to a new vista!

House Observations

We did the home inspection yesterday. I posted pictures but I was too wiped out (Remy has a cold and was up all night the night before) to write about it, but here are some of my observations:

• The fireplace is gas and seems pretty child safe. It has a glass front that doesn't let a lot of the heat through.  
• There are four rose bushes! Yay, I love roses!
• There is an instant hot water tap for tea...but it needs to be fixed. 
• They have sun screens on all of the windows but I am going to take them off the windows on the north facing windows. Because a) it's the best light and b) it's the only side of the house that has a view.
• All the walls throughout the house are white, the wood is a golden colored oak. It's not really us so we are going to paint the walls a pale tan color and paint the wood white with some espresso trim.  We used to have slightly more colorful walls but it really limits what you can do with decorating so I am going with neutral this time. (Except the bedrooms and bathrooms, I may paint those myself later.) 
• They have those thick, white, faux wood blinds on a lot of the windows. I didn't see them the first time because they are hidden behind layers and layers of drapes. One day I would love plantation shutters, but until then, these are great! 
• There is a pretty fan/light fixture up in the loft and a not so pretty one in the family room. I think we will switch those around. 
• The carpet is ivory. Uh-oh. Ivory carpet + four cats = doomed carpet.  
• Karen says the pool is heated and has a waterfall feature. The water comes out the slot in the hot tub and into the pool. We don't know if it works because the inspector didn't want to mess with the pool controls. It also has fiber optic lighting so that you can swim at night! Night swimming!
•  The inspector concluded that the house was in "great, great shape - and I don't use the word great that often!" Score! 
• We do the walk through and get the keys on the first and then, as soon as the painting is done and the safety fence is up, we will start moving in! 

More Pictures From the House