Disappeared......

SO, Dan and I have disappeared here recently. Everyone keeps asking where we went, and when we're going to surface again. Let me explain:

While I won't get into the particulars, for Dan's job, we were being forced to relocate somewhere, oh, say, 25 miles away. We weren't sure what we were going to do, but took a chance and put our house up for rent. We had some "lookers", (well, they were lookers.....they weren't even a consideration of people to rent to, for us, but they THOUGHT we were considering them) but weren't doing anything too quickly. THEN, a perfect renter came along. Middle aged doctor coming to work at Purdue, needed housing for a year minimum, more than able and willing to pay what we were asking, and sweet as can be. (Dan would tell you that she is a "hot brazilian", but note that this did not factor in our decision to rent to her.) She loved the house, and wanted to rent it. The catch? She needed to move in by July 1. She starts work at Purdue on the 20th of July, and would like to move from Ohio, settle in, and get acclimated in enough time. Okay. We can't turn her down, so we agreed.

We were going to rent an apartment for 6 months or a year. I'll spare you the gory details of our apartment hunting excursion, but lets just say we decided that this wasn't for us. So we decided to buy something. We looked at a place that was just OKAY, would have been quick, and would have worked. We weren't all that fired up about it, but thought that we could live with it temporarily. Then, as we were driving around a few neighborhoods (yes, 25 miles away), we ran across another house for sale. Odd how it unfolded:

We pulled up, and I loved the house from the outside. It appeared clear that there was no one living in the house (I won't lie, the yard was a mess), so we peeked in the windows and really liked what we saw. We couldn't find it in the real estate book. So, we called the number on the sign out front. The realtor told us he was only 10 minutes away, and would meet us there if we wanted. Of course, we agreed, and he promptly showed up to let us in. Within minutes of walking into the front door.....okay, SECONDS, we both knew that this was the house for us. It's absolutely gorgeous, and we were instantly in love. An 1800 sq. ft. RANCH home, with gorgeous solid wood floors, solid cherry trim and doors, a sunroom, and an ISLAND in the kitchen. Did we mention the fireplace and the jetted jaccuzi tub in the Master bathroom? Or the his and hers closets? Yeah, it was just the house for us!

We stopped at the gas station, got 2 40 oz. Coors Lights for the road, and called the realtor with an offer before we ever got home. This was approximately 8 p.m. on Thursday. By 9 p.m. Friday, we had agreed on a price, accepted their counter offer, and the ball was rolling! It's our house! :)

We got everything with the bank, insurance, appraisal, inspection, etc., taken care of LAST WEEK (yes, that is not a typo)....LAST WEEK, and are set to move this coming Wednesday/Thursday. WOW! So, needless to say, we have been a little busy around here, packing, moving, cleaning, weeding the landscaping at the new house, you name it. So, that's why we've been gone......BUT, in one week (DAN JUST PROMISED ME ON THE PHONE TWO MINUTES AGO that this would all be over in a week....... noted.) this will all be over with, and we'll be the owners of two homes...... and starting our life together in a new place, nearer to friends and family. :)

I've included a photo below of the outside of the house. You can't begin to appreciate the beauty of the home until you see the inside. It's absolutely gorgeous, and we can't wait for everyone to come visit and see it! Let us get settled, get our new furniture and t.v. (Dan's obsession) delivered, and we'll invite everyone over for a cookout and beer. :)

Can't wait! Stay tuned for more! :)

As you can see, this picture was taken in 2004. The outside still looks the same.....but the landscaping right now is gorgeous! I couldn't ask for better! Best part? We don't have to landscape, paint, or remodel ANYTHING before moving in. The house is exactly how we like it. For now. :)

Up, up and away!!

My Nannaw, who many of you know is very close to my heart, is 94 years old. Her entire life, she has dreamed of going on a hot air balloon ride. She has always said that she wanted to do this before she died. While she is in great shape for a 94 year old, she is undoubtedly getting up there in age, so this past weekend, my mom arranged for all of us to take her on a ride. :)

We went down to Indy and rode the hot air balloon, which went up to 400 feet! It was sooooo neat, and she loved every minute of it. She is STILL talking about it, a week later! While I enjoyed it, the best part of it, for me, was seeing how happy she was, and how much SHE loved it. :) It's a memory that I will always have of her, and I couldn't be happier that we got to share that moment with her before she isn't around anymore. Here are some pictures of the day:

Note: Dan hates heights, and is afraid to fly. He did get on the balloon, with much pleading from Trevor. Without sharing the details, let's just say that it's safe to assume that he did NOT enjoy the ride as much as the rest of us. :)

Nannaw and I before the big ride. Isn't she beautiful?

Mom and Dad with all their grandbabies. Trevor, Gage and Olivia. Gage, Grandma Moss, and Elizabeth opted to stay on the ground. The rest of us went.

Our little family, right before boarding the balloon.

The whole group (minus Trevor and I) before getting on board.... (Brent, my brother in law, Nannaw, Mom, Olivia, Dad and Dan.)

Dan and I before we took off. This was when we were still on the ground, and he was still comfortable. :) Ha!

Nannaw, Myself and Brent. I still can't believe that she is 94. I hope I look that great when I am 94 years old!

Olivia also rode the balloon. She is 2. We thought for sure that she was going to get scared when she got up there, but instead, she kept looking down and announcing in amazement that we were "SOOOO HIGH!" She was so brave, and loved every minute of it! :) She's been telling people for a week now that she "rode really high in a big balloon"..... :)

Trevor and I up in the air. He loved the ride! :)

Take some time to do special things with those people that you love. It makes memories that you will never forget. Have a great week, everyone!

Viva Las Vegas Part 2!!

Here's an entertaining video from the Vegas trip..... Enjoy! :)

Viva Las Vegas!!!

Well, we did survive.......
Most of you know, we took a trip to Vegas for a few days last month! I should have had these pictures posted long ago, but things have been NUTS for us. Some of you may have seen these on FaceBook.....but thought we would add some commentary to a few of them. They ARE in chronological order here, from start of the trip to finish. I'm going to keep it G rated here, but there are definitely some stories!! :) Enjoy the pictures. I also made an animoto video, I'll post in a separate entry. :) Enjoy!

We started the trip REALLY early in the morning.......and,

Enjoyed drinks and breakfast in First Class on the plane.....

Laughed and entertained ourselves by taking self portraits. :) CLOSE UP!

Arrived in Vegas safely, to 100 degree temperatures......

Saw the light show at the Bellagio.....

Ate lunch at Toby Keith Bar and Grill.........

Where Rick saw Toby.......

(He thinks this looks real.)

Went to a wedding of some good friends of ours.....

Spent a lot of time waiting around on people......

Rocked out in a limousine to Freemont Street.......

Where we had a blast with good friends.......

Got robbed by the Golden Nugget and their blackjack dealer, Emily.......

Saw the Memorial Day Tribute light show over Freemont.......

Laughed with great friends.......

Still waiting on people........ At least you can have beer in public here.....it made the waiting less painful......

Hammed it up for lots of fun pictures..........

Showed our OWN patriotism with the flags we picked up on Freemont Street.......

(What you can't hear here is us singing "Proud to be an American" at the tops of our lungs.)

Laughed until we cried........

Got creative with headwear........

Posed for pictures on Hooter's Hummer golf cart.....Hang on, Marcus!........

Met some great (customers) FRIENDS for dinner at McCormick & Schmick's.......

Walked the strip and looked at all the casinos.....

Got a little carried away at Luxor........

Had lots of moments when no one knew what was going on.......

But we somehow came out ahead....... :)

Although we weren't in much condition to be gambling......

We "missed our flight", and ended up staying another day.......Where we saw this creepy Jesus thing hanging from the ceiling at the Rio.....

And ended our trip looking tired and fat, yet still smiling...... :)

Long time......

So it's been forever since we've posted a blog here.....but don't worry! We DID indeed make it back from Vegas. BUT, things have been crazy ever since! We wouldn't know how to act if things weren't chaotic all the time! :) I'm working on a couple of updates, and will post here very soon! :) Have lots of pictures to share, and news to spread.......Primarily:

• Vegas pictures and a quick rundown of our trip!
• Our hot air balloon ride
• Trevor's first small airplane ride
• We rented our house!
• We bought a NEW house!
• We're getting married!!!

We're insane.....We know. :) More to come soon! MUAH!

Dan and Sarah

Happy Birthday (Again), Wade!

It's been a while.....but we just got back from a wild trip to Las Vegas, and I'm still getting my bearings, and haven't had a chance to write much lately. :) Stay tuned for the Las Vegas update.....but for now, a much shorter post, I wanted to share some photos from the weekend, and to wish my cousin, Wade, a Happy Birthday (again)! He celebrated his 39th on the 16th of May, but his party was this past weekend. The band was great, the food was good, and the friends were even better. Here are some pictures from the evening. :)

Olivia and Savannah. Too cute. They're going to be wild girls together when they get a little bit older. :)

Brent and Elizabeth. I'm not sure that I have any pictures of Brent and Elizabeth recently without a kid or two in them. :)

Elizabeth, Jerry and Wade

Livi Lou and I

E, Gager Baby (or as Olivia says, "Gager Man"), Me and Livi

It's probably a safe bet that Wade should NOT have been riding the four-wheeler.

Wade, Elizabeth, Jerry and I. I love this laugh of Jerry's. It makes me laugh just thinking about it. :)

Who's THAT lucky guy?

Savannah played with her sidewalk chalk,......a LOT. She was filthy. And cute! :) Although we all know how I feel about dirty kids, she was still pretty cute!