Going up

As it has been more than two weeks since the basement was poured (6 April) and about 10 days (13 April) since it was back filled we took a trip out to the house on a wet Saturday to see the progress.

Last time the house was 'going down' as the basement was dug out but now the walls are going up. Now we just have to hope it stops raining soon.

From the living room to dining room to kitchen, breakfast area and family room at the back (Note ladder going to basement on the right).

Master bedroom

Family room with central fireplace and back door. Wall to master bedroom on the right.

Walk-in pantry in centre (to the left of the blue jacket!) and the back of the master walk-in closet on the extreme left.

Living room, looking out onto the road

Going down

Having made the commute to the east end for more than two years now we are looking to cut down on my commuting time and we also were pretty sure our current house is not one we're want to live in when we retire. So between shortening the commute and deciding we wanted a bungalow we've (more 'I've') been keeping my eyes open to see what we could find. Having looked in a few areas and not found the floorplan we like, not to mention the price, we were about to give up. Then I came across a new development and a floorplan and price that looked right.

We made a trip to the site and saw a couple of almost identical floorplan bungalows that were under construction but we we not overly impressed, partly because they were not the right floorplan and they were messy as they were still being put together.

We were not convinced.

We asked the sales agent if there were any homes with our desired floorplan that were complete and she put us in touch with a couple who had recently completed on a purchase and were glad to show us around their exact same bungalow / floorplan we liked. New home owners are always willing and proud to show off their new place! (Fortunately).

Having seen the finished product we were happy to put down a deposit and reserve our spot.

We soon put our existing house on the market and it was sold in about 3 weeks.

Sold by owner on www.grapevine.ca

On 6th April 2011 the bungalow basement was poured.

Here are the poured basement pictures.

Front

Back

Back corner

Falling for Gatineau

Being thanksgiving weekend we went for a bit of a hike in Gatineau park. After some confusing driving directions thanks to Tom-Tom that wanted me to turn from one road onto a road that actually crossed the road we were on. No problem except that the road we had to turn onto was actually on a bridge over our road! I can't get there from here!








We went to a lookout over the park across to Ottawa as well as going for a short hike to a waterfall.

Baby sitting Sarah

Actually Sarah is no longer a baby (though she was at my last post!). She is now more than two years old already and turning into a fine young toddler.
We had the privilege of looking after her for a Saturday through to Sunday afternoon recently. We went to the local park on Saturday. Though it was a bit showery Sarah doesn't seem to mind the wet as much as some people!







Did I forget to mention that we also managed a 10 day trip back to England in september?

Best intentions

I do try to keep this blog update but time seems to run away from me. So here are some pictures of the last three months picture worthy events.

In early May we went to Algonquin Park to spot a moose - we actually, really, did see TWO but they were too quick for us to get the camera out -especially as we were driving at the time. However we did a couple of hikes through the woods and around a lake or two as you can see.

May 23rd saw Madisyn's FIRST birthday party, although technically she was one and one day...



In June Den's mum and sister came for a two week visit from the UK.....

I think Sarah will work out cell phones long before great grandma!!

Who are these funny people?

during which time we also spent some time downtown Ottawa as well as Pinhey Point (only 20 minutes from home but never been there before)....

....Gill did the 5k Barrhaven run...(red shirt #321....and she came in ahead of her shirt number)


...then we had a walk around Pink Lake in Gatineau park, Quebec.....

A stroll in the swamp

The snow is all but gone, Easter is here and the sun is shining. Looks like a good day for a walk at Stoney Swamp in west Ottawa whilst Daniel got some peace and quiet at home to study (the inside of his eyelids!).
I'm not sure why we bothered taking the stroller on the walk, it was quite bumpy so we carried Sarah virtually all the way!



Gill and Sarah





Who's this with big ears?






Sarah (in case there was any doubt)





Denise and Gill




Sarah and me (on the left!)





Denise




...and even a chipmunk poked his nose out of a tree trunk to check that Spring is really here....





Last weekend Natalie and Madisyn came up here for the day so it was a chance for the cousins to get together again for a few hours.





Duet at the piano!










Someone's getting tired...

I know already!

Yes, I do know that it's been too long, again, since the last blog. I would like to say it's been because I'm too busy but the opposite is true. I have continued looking for work but also been spending time working in Daniel and Gillian's basement. That is now finished, inhabited and looking good.

The job search is also just about over, I have picked up some work to do from home but am very hopeful that a more regular job is just around the corner...

Last Saturday we met up with David and Becca Munro and their children Georgia and Daisy. David is the eldest son of our very good friends in Christ, Tony and Jenny Munro from the UK. David lives near Toronto and was in Ottawa visiting other friends and experiencing Winterlude festival on the Rideau Canal etc. By the time we met them they were feeling chilly and tired so we headed directly to the museum of Civilisation for coffee and doughnuts! Gillian, Daniel and Sarah were also along for the ride.


Becca with Sarah


David and Georgia





Daisy