Homeowners at last! We're thrilled to post pictures of our very first home purchase. Thank you to everyone who supported us through 7 different apartments in as many years. We appreciate your willingness to visit us even though we had little more than a couch and some floor space to offer you. You are all now cordially invited to stay with us anytime you happen to be in Tucson. The accomodations are much better. FYI--we haven't had time to do a thing to the house yet so all the window treatments, paint colors and landscaping are in the exact form and condition the previous owners left them. But before we begin the virtual tour, the first pic is a tribute to the two little reasons why we bought the house in the first place--here are A. and P. snuggled together for story time in their new house.

The front yard. No grass but we do have 5 varieties of succulents.

The front room/A.'s dancing room. We don't currently have any furniture for this room nor do we expect to in the near future but A. has taken advantage of its ample space to practice her twirling.

The kitchen. Ahhh, what a glorious thing counter space is!

The family room. Our shabby apartment furniture looks downright pathetic in this large space but it will do for now. Besides, I just don't think Jay or I can part with the "green dream" at this point. Too many intense X-box battles have been fought there, too many Jane Austen movies enjoyed. There are just too many memories involving that fake green leather couch to simply toss it out. Perhaps we'll put it in the office.

A.'s room.

The guest room, P.'s future room, or the room where we park the dolly strollers.

Front bathroom.

The office/P.'s current bedroom (it's just off the master bedroom which is why we have her sleeping here until she can go through the night without waking).

Master bedroom. Yes, we still use tupperware for a nightstand. It's becoming glaringly apparent that we need to get some furniture.

Master bathroom. It has two sinks and consequently has reduced Sunday morning squabbles over the importance of proper mascara application versus shaving by 85%.

The laundry room. (Actually, it's just a large hallway you go through on your way to the garage but having lived without any laundry facilities at all makes this little closet feel like a room.)

The garage. Thanks to this handy room with its automatically closing door, I no longer have to fear for my childrens' lives while I'm taking groceries into the apartment, er, house (still getting used to saying it).

The porch

The backyard
The sideyard

Ever the little imitator, A. saw Mommy using the baby bjorn to hold P. and she wouldn't rest till she had something to help her hold her baby doll as well. Thank heavens for bathrob belts and a little ingenuity!

A. and P. in their Easter dresses. Thank you Grandma Margaret for A.'s adorable dress and all the extra bloomers!

Ever the little imitator, A. practices her mothering skills on her baby doll.

Welcome P.E.Taylor!!!! Born February 13th, 2:18 pm. She weighed 8 lbs., 4 oz. and is nearly 20 inches long. We feel so blessed to have her join our family.

A. helps Mommy get ready for her baby sister to arrive by cleaning out the refrigerator. Here is a picture of Mommy just two weeks before the big day.

While visiting Grandma Margaret, Daddy introduces A. to snow and the art of throwing snowballs.

Here are a few pictures from my Aunt Amy's wedding reception. A. and her cousin had a great time hiding from Mommy & Daddy amongst the tables and potted plants.

This year we spent Christmas Day in Arizona with just our little family. Many thanks to our friends and family for the wonderful gifts. A. was particularly excited to rip up the wrapping paper!

Happy 2 year's old to A!

This year I got to spend Halloween in Utah! Here I am with my Grandpa Greg and my cousin.

Before leaving California I went to some classic San Francisco sites. Here I am at the bottom of Coit Tower, on the Filbert Steps on Telegraph Hill, in a Trolley Car, posing with my Dadddy in front of the Golden Gate Bridge and contemplating the universe next to Rodin's "The Thinker" at the Legion Of Honor Museum.

Another outing to the Children's Discovery Museum. The sand table and the bubbles are a particular favorite.