House Day 4

Ok, so these Mennonites don't waste any time. Here is the foundation, still in the "mold" though. Natalie took the pic, pardon the angle. Pics of the kids resting from bike riding.

Our House...Already Started...

Ok, so we went for our drive to photograph the site BEFORE they break ground. Well, initially we were closing on a Friday and they would break ground the following Monday. Since our settlement date was moved up a day to Thursday, they OBVIOUSLY broke ground on Friday -- we did not even know as much. Anyway, here is a pick of the poured concrete, footers, FOUNDATION... Check out the views! We are so excited. Our neighbors, the ones on either side of the house, came out to welcome us--again.

Family Reunion

As descendants of Albert and Lille Swavely we congregated and reunioned in Reading for a day of family fun--the annual swimming, BINGO, fresh clams, baby shower (this time for Marla) and just TALKING with everyone. What another wonderful family time. We have the greatest family!

Our NEW Home!

Yes, so after a number of tough months we finally took the plunge and bought our first home. The most fun is the location and the fact that since it is a new build we get to create our home, from designing where we wanted windows, to the flooring, to a custom kitchen.... We had settlement today and Mr. Musser, WONDERFUL Mennonite man, begins on Monday with the build. We are sooo excited. The home, although in a development, backs up to a flood zone (No, it is not in the flood zone) currently farmed. So NOTHING will ever go up back there! It is a GORGEOUS view, especially at sunset with the sillouette of the farm in there. I am so excited, many homes for many playmates for the kids, but the country feel. So anyway, it is Natalie's job to take the pictures each week. Although the build technically has not begun, I will include a picture of the lot from the road, so you can get a feel for the area. Hope you enjoy.

Time with the Firemen

So we joined our community Fire Station for an evening together. They had horse rides, candy scamper, check out the fire engines, a light-the-cars-on-fire and put them out event, and our personal favorite...a hay ride through the streets! No, although we are surrounded by farmland, they got a ride through town--we laughed.

Everett's Goose Egg

OK, so he has enough to fill a scrapbook. From learning that an entry way has one step down (he got a couple from that one), to learning that his little legs do not move as fast as his upper body... So we are at our favorite park when Everett is running downhill excitedly. Fall...thump... Instant knot. I about ran him to the ER, but thanks to Dr. Tom, head wounds at the front of the head are not dangerous..it is the one's at the back we need to worry about. Here are some lovely shots of the Egg!

Union Canal Tunnel with Uncle Richard and Linda

What a wonderful day with Richard and Linda, friends of the family. They came up to visit us for the day. We took them to the Union Canal Tunnel, actually initially envisioned by William Penn and later surveyed by George Washington. It was built to transport goods from Philadelphia to Harrisburg, the soon-to-be new settlement. Amazingly the sight of the tunnel is 300-ish feet above both the Philly side and the Harrisburg side, and therefore required over 105 locks. Amazing. It was a lovely day for a boat ride too. Everett had a ball singing on the way home. We video-ed that too! Enjoy.