Burst of Energy

So we had a burst of homeowner energy in February.  

I stripped wallpaper in Matthew's bathroom--it has yet to be painted; 

I'm waiting for another burst of energy and creative inspiration.  

We finished painting the basement, but it's still not decorated yet, so pictures will have to wait.  

My big accomplishment was that I completely finished one room!  

Our front room is all done, nothing else for me to do.  

Here's the before:

and here's the after:

Paul is not sure he likes the green walls, but I do.  

Too many neutral walls and I feel like my whole life is beige.

Holiday Home Tour

I was inspired by Brooke who was in turn inspired by the Nester, to show you our home for Christmas.  This is the first year we have really decorated because this is also the first year we have stayed in Chicago.  We are all very excited--while we may not have a certified Christmas decoration explosion (as would be found in my mom's house) we like all the little touches here and there to remind us of the season!

the kitchen--not too decorated, but I loved the polka dot runner and snowflakes on the window

the family room tree--another cute polka dot runner (plus I found polka dot wrapping paper)

I think I'm going for a red/white theme--polka dots, but I also love snowflakes--as you'll see

the first time we've actually had a fireplace to hang our stockings on--aren't they great?

I bought all six when Afton was a baby and Paul's mom had our names put on this year.

The dining room--I love these windows.  You may also notice that there is new paint in our house from the last home tour.  We're still figuring out window treatment options for many rooms.

My mom designed the Christmas Carol dolls and they were manufactured by Dept 56.

I love having a little bit of my mom and her favorite Christmas story in our house!

Our hall door is holding your beautiful cards--

it's so fun to walk by and see our friends and family in our home!

This is the new tree this year--I call it "my tree" and it's rather become "my room" too.

It's still a little sparse, but I figure I'll add onto it each year.

My nativity is also in the front room.

Many families have the Willow Tree nativity too, but my mom sent me this beautiful creche that's different than the one that coordinates with the set.

My mom also gave me the set, which makes it extra special.

The beginnings of my Dickens' Village houses are also in "my" front room.

The kids have learned early on if they touch these, they are in big trouble!

I'm hoping one day my mom can design a cool platform with snow/trees/paths etc. for my buildings!

The girls' tree upstairs--all pink/green/yellow/red and girly

(Matt also has a tree, but it's not really "decorated"--he wanted it done fast and did it all himself)

I saw these and had to have them--

it was one of the few times I've seen ornaments that I couldn't resist.

I just love that there's a little brunette, a little blonde, and a little red head--

just like my three girls!

So there's the tour--there's plenty of wreaths/candles/decorations/embroidered stuff scattered around the house, but that would take way too many pictures.

Let's just say that the Christmas spirit is overflowing at the Walker home!

Come on out...

Our guest room is finally done!

I painted it all by myself and Paul told me it passed muster!

I really love having house guests.

This is the first Christmas we will be staying in Illinois.

Luckily for me, we have lots of guests coming!

Ryan, Ruth Ann and their kids will be here for the week leading up to Christmas.

My mom and dad will come on the 26th!

I am so excited--I think this will be my best Christmas ever!

(forgive my mess--I'm also organizing Christmas presents and doing some wrapping-

if you come to stay, I will make sure to clean it up!)

Upstairs

So we'll just move on upstairs for the last pictures of the house.

We love this area at the top of the stairs that 

separates the "grown-up" spaces from the kid spaces

Paul's office

our bedroom--still need drapes, but we love how much space we have and the views when we wake up!

And I also have to say my favorite part of the house is the "girls' suite"

we made the hallway/bathroom/playroom and 2 bedrooms into the girl area

I just love how it turned out!

the girls' hallway

one side of Afton & Halle's room

Afton & Halle's beds

outside the "jill and jill" bathroom

the girls' bathroom

Nora's room

still Nora's (obviously)

the playroom

more playroom

more playroom

The Main Floor

Here are pictures from the main floor--just remember that we still have to do some painting, replace light fixtures, get new window treatments and do some other updating--but you get the idea!

the entry way--looking to the front door

the living room (aka home teaching room) 

but Afton has also been practicing her rock star skills in here (note the guitar on the floor)

the family room--Afton is picking up some new rock star skills watching Hannah Montana

Matt's room--I'd like to say it's usually cleaner than this, but it's not.  

Legos rule in Matt's world-he's always in the process of building or taking apart and hates to put things back.

the kitchen--please ignore all the school supplies stacked on the counters.  They will be gone on Monday!

the eat-in area off the kitchen. I just like to sit here and stare out the window.  

Mornings are beautiful in the backyard

the dining room

One Month Later...

So we've been in the new house for a month now

Here are the promised pictures--I figure I'll just post a few at a time

and give you a good look at the house.

Maybe you'll decide that you want to come visit (hint, hint)

from the street

from the driveway

the back of the house

the backyard

So we love the house and you can see why we love the yard so much--lots of room for the kids to play and the trees and yard are beautiful.  We're planning to do a little vegetable garden next year and Paul's going to hang a couple swings from those big trees.  There's also a trail that goes back through the trees to a clearing with a fire pit.  I'm sensing a lot of marshmallow roasting out there in the future!