merry CHRISTmas!

staircase, appliances, sinks, faucets, and more

It's sure fun watching this house get built! After choosing all of the finishes and options, now we just get to watch the progress.

staircase (duh!)

laundry

kitchen sink

kitchen


neil ...

on top of this dirt
the guys in neil's room, which has the best view!

colored concrete and cool school

Clearly, Neil did not pose for this photo! He was pretty happy to see that we now have a real front porch. Keith and I were pretty happy to see that they used colored concrete.



Keith is our official photographer, when visiting the house. I love these.
Ours is the fourth one in from the right.
The school that Neil will go to for the last half of 4th, and for 5th grade, is so cool! Check out the video: (I guess it requires a cut & paste, if you are interested).
http://www.cbs8.com/community/cool_school/story.php?id=145168

my favorite celebrity (the one on the right)!

Karly was amazed to find that when she googled Keith, there was a ton of stuff on him! It is all good stuff, and mostly pertaining to his work with the USGBC (US Green Building Council). This year he has acted as the San Diego Chapter President, which involves a little extra travel and some speaking engagements like the one below. He appeared with Mayor Sanders and some guy from SDG&E for the lighting of Balboa Park's Christmas lights. After his speech, he got to pull the switch and light up the park!

camp guests

Charles and Natalie joined us for the remainder of their visit here, and didn't seem to mind the whole "one room living" thing. They have been camping quite a bit before, but those conditions were far superior!

this is cool

On one of the days we were visiting our house, we found a ton of empty boxes scattered around our usually tidy lot. They were from the tape and joint compound used on the walls, and they were all exactly the same.

kelly is here!

As soon as Shelley got back to TN, she packed up Charles, Natalie, and Kelly, and sent them out here to visit! Kelly stayed here with us, while Charles and Natalie headed up to Hollywood. They were going to see the Jonas Brothers, and do some other Hollywood stuff.

Kelly and Neil have so much fun together! It's quite warm, so they have been doing lots of swimming...

and snacking...



and playing at the splashpark...


and swimming some more...
and into the night!

happy thanksgiving

by popular demand...

photos from BSB at the Paladium

see's please

Karly spent the weekend training for her new holiday job - as a See's gal! History is surely bring made, as they have never before hired anyone under the age of 80. Karly is pretty sure this may be the best job ever. For starters, she and the other new trainees were taken by van to a training facility, where they were actually trained for the job for 2 full days. (Claire's and Yardage Town did not think training was necessary). The uniforms, as shown below, are way cool. Employees are encouraged to eat all of the chocolate they want. One of the other trainees is a "hot guy"... AND they pay $10/hr for all of this fun!

shelley's here! and some of her neighbors! (w/new photos)

Yesterday I picked up Shelley from the airport at noon, took her to see the new house, and then surprised her with a trip to Downey-Long Beach. Why? To attend a high school charity basketball game. Some of you, especially those in Westhaven, may recognize some of the players. One of them even sang the national anthem. Any guesses who?

paint, roof, and cabinets!

When we went to the house on Sunday, it appeared that construction was following some "Extreme Home Makeover" pace! They roofed, painted, and installed all the cabinets. Plus, it looks like they are doing a great job!

We ran into some new neighbors, and went through there homes, as well. It is fun to see how everyone does their options (or doesn't do options - bless their hearts)!


Neil actually went into the house, but always says it doesn't feel right. He is just sure we are doing something very wrong, illegal or dangerous. Come on-I save those activities for when he is nowhere around!

We love our new house!

designs by lulu

Karly has been nicknamed "Lulu de Volvo" by Grandma and Grandma Johnson, and I have shortened it to just "Lulu". It really suits her, especially when referring to her as a fashion designer!

A couple years ago, she asked if she could mess with my sewing machine. I said "sure" and hoped she didn't need any help, as I could barely thread the needle, let alone make something with it.
Well, it wasn't long before she was not only sewing like a pro, but designing and making up her own patterns. She had no classes and no help, just passion and a gift.

Here I proudly showcase some of "Lulu's Designs":
(Neils' fashions are courtesy of Target).







Lulu, I am so proud of you in so many ways! Love, Mom

paul & rosemary visit

Keith's parents, Paul and Rosemary, were here for a visit at the end of October. We had a great time, as usual. They got to see the apartment where we are living, and lovingly refer to as "camp"...

and our new house!

We went to lunch at Barbarella in LaJolla, where they do the best Halloween decor.

keeping our eyes on the prize

This is our house on November 9th. We really like to spend as much time away from "camp" (the apartment) as possible. If you've seen it, you know why. Each weekend we go up to the house to see the progress, visit Debbie and Christine in the sales office, and go thru the model.
Then we shop, go out to eat, see a movie, or whatever - anything to avoid going home! ha!