Venture to "Venice"

Ryan Homes opened a new phase in a neighborhood that we've had our eye on for awhile.  We put our house on the market and accepted an offer in only two weeks.  After signing the paperwork, we began the process of selecting (and then reselecting) a lot, floor plan, elevation, add-ons, and extras, and never looked back. 
Our first lot selection was the largest lot available in a cul-de-sac.  However, after going out with the Project Manager and discussing grading issues, we decided to move across the street for a smaller lot that had more usable space.  The first lot was large, but would have no usable backyard, as it sloped down too steeply.  The new lot is still close to the cul-de-sac and much more flat, allowing space for a swing set and room for the girls to run and play. 
We decided on the Venice model, elevation E.  We added the Morning Room off the Kitchen, the Gourmet Island in the Kitchen, and the two extra feet in the Garage.  Also, elevation E includes two "bump outs,"or an extra two feet in the front two bedrooms. 
To date, the lot has been graded, pipes laid, and foundation poured.  Pictures are included below.  The lumber is supposed to be delivered tomorrow and framing should be completed by next week. 

Aubi breaking ground on our homesite.

The place for our new home.



Second Floor



First Floor




 

No turning back now!

4 Adults, 2 Kids, 1 House

People say building a house is like taking a journey, so....Here. We. Go.
July 1, 2013, Annie was born.  End of September, I started back to work.  Sometime in October we sold our house.  End of October, we move into my parents' house.  First two weeks of November, Richard travels to Germany for work.  First week of November, we close on the sell of our house.  End of November, second phase of our new neighborhood opens up and we begin the process of building.  My mom said if I survive this year, we should write it down in the history books.  Having suffered two migraines this week, I'm beginning to agree with her.

A Lot of Catching Up To Do

1st:  Annabelle Marie Coon is born!  Little Miss Annie was due June 23rd, but decided to stay put for awhile longer.  We finally had her arrive with a scheduled c-section on July 1, 2013.  This gave me just enough time to recover for Aubriana's third birthday party.



Aubriana loves her new baby sister.



2nd:  Aubriana had a Cinderella party for her third birthday.  Cinderella even showed up for a surprise visit!

 

3rd:  Aubriana started pre-school.  She attends Simpsonville United Methodist Preschool three days a week for three hours a day.  She loves her teachers, Mrs. Toby and Mrs. Natalie, and several classmates, Colton, Max, Shelby, Zoe, and Addy.

Aubriana's Thanksgiving Program

Aubriana's Christmas Program

 

 

4th:  We sold our house, moved in with my parents, and started building a house....but more on that later.

 

5th:  Annie got baptized!  As Presbyterians, we believe in infant baptism. In the Old Testament, God made a covenant with Abraham and included his descendants in that promise (Genesis 17). After Christ came, the sign was changed from circumcision to baptism, but since infants were included in the original covenant, we believe they are still included in the covenant of baptism. This is a very short explanation of what we believe, but I wanted you to have some background knowledge as to why this was such a celebration for us. She is a child of the covenant! We do believe that Annie will have to accept Jesus as her Lord and Savior for herself one day. We do not believe that she is saved just because she got baptized. She will have to make a public profession of her faith when she accepts Jesus and begins her personal relationship with Him.

 

 





 



Aubriana-isms

1.  "Boo-daids" are Band-aids
2.  "Bicycle" is a popsicle
3.  "Roni cheese" is macaroni and cheese
4.  "Pips" are chips
5.  "Rah-Rah" and "Mamps" are Granna and Gramps
6.  "Eat Leah and Unker Bit" are Aunt Leah and Uncle Brit
7.  "Pony hair" is a pony tail
8.  "Earrings" are errands
9.  "Number 1" is Pier 1 Imports
10.  "Orange Milkshake" is an Orange Icee (from Target)
11.  "Lem-nade" is lemonade
12.  "Air-rings" is errands

Yearly Update

We celebrated Aubriana's second birthday this past Saturday.  The tradition continued with immediate and in-town family gathering at Gramps' and Granna's house to eat smoked brisket and ribs.  This year we went all out with a theme of puppy dogs, as Aubriana LOVES any and all four legged friends.  Aubriana had a great time playing with her cousins and seemed to understand that it was her birthday.  When we began singing, "Happy Birthday," she said, "Aubi" and smiled and clapped throughout the song.  She blew out both of the candles on her own and loved licking the icing off of her, "cake-cake."  We asked our guests to bring donations from the Greenville Humane Society's wish list and are planning on taking Aubriana to the Humane Society this weekend to let her donate all of the wonderful gifts and supplies (and to pet, hug, and hold the puppies).

Happy First Birthday!

For Aubriana's first birthday, we invited all of our immediate and in-town family to celebrate with us a Gramps' and Granna's house.  Richard smoked a brisket and some ribs and, of course, had cake.  Aubriana wasn't too sure about her cake and only got a little bit of icing on her face.  She didn't take full advantage of the opportunity that was right in front of her.  We had a wonderful time celebrating with everyone who came!

Aubriana's "Blocks and Puppets" cake

Aubriana's individual cake

Ready to party

Before

During

After

MMMmmm!

Tired out!

A Day in the Life of Aubriana

1.  Wake up, get out of bed, get a diaper change, then take some time to get ready for the day.

2.  Empty out the puffs container to make sure Allie gets a good breakfast.

3.  Eat breakfast.

4.  Nap!  Wake up and get dressed for the day.

5.  Start chores.  Help Mommy with the laundry, check to make sure the electronics are set properly, make sure the plants have been watered, and reorganize.

6.  Eat lunch and share the leftovers with Allie.

7.  Now starts our busy time of the day.  We answer emails, watch TV, make some phone calls, train Allie, reorganize AGAIN, . . .

We're working so hard we start panting like Allie!

8.  We take a break for some music and books.

9.  After another nap, we reapply our lipstick then check out what's going on outside.

10.  We let Allie out to go potty and then plan what we're having for dinner (knowing that we won't have the ingredients and will have to go out to dinner instead).

11.  When Allie comes back inside we give her a treat and make sure she has food and water.

12.  We finally get to play and then dance with Daddy when he comes home from work!

13.  We go out to dinner, return home and cheer for the Gators in the College World Series, and then it's time for a bath.

14.  Pajama Time! (which doesn't always go so well).  We have story time with Daddy and then it's off to dreamland.