Next week, we should be picking up the keys to this place:
I say “should be” because after everything we went through last time, I won’t believe we have a house until I’ve signed all the paperwork and changed the locks. No taksie-backsies!
For those of you who watch our Friday movies, you actually saw a bit of the inside. We filmed in the house when we had the home inspection (you can see it here).
This house is a bit bigger than the first one we tried to buy. The back yard isn’t as big, but it has tons of fruit trees…I can’t wait to figure out different ways to make the fruit into beverages. Sangria, anyone? To make up for the smaller backyard we have a sun room/playroom that we can use year-round. We’re really excited about it.
I know what you’re thinking, and I don’t know if the ping pong table comes with the house. But believe me, I ask about it EVERY DAY.
The kitchen is amazing:
I love this kitchen. I actually feel compelled to USE IT. Mike has dared me to try cooking something new once a week, and I think I might take him up on it. Bartending counts as cooking, right?
The front room
The family room, which includes a raised area in the back that will serve as Annie’s stage.
The master bedroom
I love the way the house is staged. It looks so grown-up. Probably because no one actually lives in the house and spills peanut butter and milk on every surface.
Just when I start to let myself get a little bit excited, I remember we have to pack. UGH. Think Annie is old enough to pack?
Panni says:
Wow! Absolutely beautiful
Mindy says:
SO pretty & oh SO big!! Congrats!!
Kate @ UpsideBackwards says:
It looks amazing Heather! Best of luck, I will definitely keep my fingers crossed for you! The kitchen looks gooooorrrrgeous. I would totally sneak over and cook/bake in it for you and not tell Mike it wasn’t you, if you like
Jenn says:
YAHOO!!!!!!!!!!! We got us a new house….again!!! I think this one is going to go through though!!! I love it!!! I love the kitchen and cannot wait to see how you Heatherize it!!! I know it will be AMAZING!! Maybe you could even plant the little “Forget Me Not” flowers in honour of Maddie. I’m so excited and happy for you guys. Can I have your new address now?
HAPPY PACKING!!!
YAHOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
sherene says:
Oh my that is so lovely:))
heather says:
So happy for you guys! I know it’s a little bittersweet, all of the memories at your old home and we all know that packing and movie stinks!
Good luck in the next week!
Claire says:
Wow Love it! I have kitchen envy! I also have a sun room like that and it is so awesome! We use it all the time and my boys play there all the time! Good luck
Katie says:
Congratulations! I hope it all works out for you guys.
Erin @ One Particular Kitchen says:
OMG GORGEOUS! I would die for that kitchen. I’ll come cook for you!
Amy says:
Sure she can. Not well. But she can….
Jan says:
Wow! Fabulous home! Sending some prayers your way that all works out exactly as you hope…you’ll need roller skates to clean all those rooms, tho….LOL! BEST of Luck!
julie says:
Congratualtions Hope all goes well with the closing and all….here in NC it has been almost 100 and I am moving 20 years of teaching stuff to my new school….ugh…at least I have teenagers to help…..they work for food….chick fil a yesterday….5 guys today?????
you will love all the room….
hang on for a crazy august..
julie
Margie says:
Wow, that place looks lovely and a sun room?! SWEET! Crossing my fingers and toes for you guys.
Candy says:
I have my fingers crossed for you, the house looks lovely!
Becky says:
Amazing!!! I love it!!
Megan says:
What a gorgeous house. Those floors!!!
Erika says:
Gorgeous! Congratulations!
Becca says:
Oh. My. God.
1. look at those floors!
2. look at the lighting! (natural & electrical)
3. loot at that KITCHEN!!
(#4 I can’t believe I’m so in love with those things.. man, I sound grown up)
It’s beautiful. As I said previously – I felt the same way when my partner and I bought our house. I was convinced it was going to fall through even as we left closing with keys in hand. It’s such an emotional and surreal experience. Have fun and congratulations!
Kristin says:
GORGEOUS house!! Congrats!!
Erin says:
It’s beautiful! Fingers crossed!
Rachel C. says:
Congrats! It’s beautiful. I love the floors!
Patti B. says:
Gorgeous! Congrats!
Melina E. says:
Wow! I love it! I surely hope you are holding the keys in your hand, this time next week (but I’m betting that you will be).
Exciting…:)
Ninabi says:
What a lovely house. I hope it’s not premature to say “congratulations!” before the papers are signed but it’s a beautiful place and I hope you enjoy it for many years to come.
It even has a stage? And ping pong? What fun!
tonya says:
I love it! It’s so open and bright and welcoming. Congrats.
Amber says:
Love this house! I actually love it more than the first one. In fact, I kind of want to move in minus the living in CA part. Hmmm can you bring it to NC?
KK says:
Can you say, upgrade!?! The old house sucks balls compared to this one. I’d say, JACKPOT! Congratulations & hope all goes smoothly with the closing. I’m sure you’ll learn soon enough, that the previous rejection was just God’s way of saying, “Wrong choice, dear!”
Lisa says:
First…. you can spill peanut butter? LOL!
I’m dying over the kitchen! My kitchen is so lame! I LOVE “new” houses. Good for you! Can’t wait to see Annie take the stage!
Lisa says:
Wow beautiful! See this house was the reason the other fell thru. I am in love with the floors, I don’t think you will be so much after the first few times you have to sweep and mop LOL. Good luck with everything.
Karen says:
It’s perfect!
bessie.viola says:
Yay! It is LOVELY. Love all the hardwoods, and that kitchen? Wow.
Best of all, a stage for Annie?? She is a lucky girl!! I have my fingers crossed for you all that closing goes smoothly.
Lisa says:
It looks beautiful. That sunroom will be awesome on crappy weather days.
Good luck with the closing.
chantelle says:
Fingers crossed for you! Good Luck!
Karen says:
This house is AH-mazing!! The kitchen is so spacious! I hope the closing goes smootly. I am so happy for you! Congratulations
Lamb says:
Wow, wow, wow! Your new home looks so fancy. Yes, you’re going to need to do some cooking in that big ol’ kitchen and, even more, you’re going to need to get a ping pong table.
Lacy says:
GORGEOUS! LOVE LOVE LOVE the kitchen.
Tanya says:
Congrats! I have to say, i love this house! It is gorgeous…ask them if you can buy all the furniture…i love the kitchen it is so nice..and yes, you have to learn how to cook in a kitchen that looks like that….
Lisa says:
Congrats, it’s beautiful!!!!
lisaj says:
I LOVE this one. I definitely think it is an upgrade! Praying, crossing fingers, etc.
Jessica Harrison says:
LOVE THIS!!! So excited for you guys! The floors are fabulous! Love them! Best of luck with everything!
Nellie says:
Wow, this house is absolutely STUNNING!
Sending positive and happy vibes your way so that your next post is….”Gotta pack my crap, folks!”
If I lived near you, I’d pack for you – love doing that…it’s the unpacking I absolutely DREAD!
I think Annabel is old enough to label all the boxes – I’m sure that will make the move that much easier…hee, hee!!
Shelley says:
This house kicks the old house’s ass.
Carla says:
EXACTLY what I was gonna say!!! As much heartbreak and pain as you went through over the last house, I think this one was the one that was meant to be!!
Monica says:
This is absolutely gorgeous! The kitchen is beautiful!
Trisha says:
Wow!! That kitchen is so dreamy and the sun room is super cool.
Keeping my fingers crossed for you guys that everything goes smoothly and you close on time with no delays.
I think Annie could totally help pack. You stand and have her right beside you and pass things down to her to put in the boxes. It could be fun until she gets bored with it and starts unpacking it all again
(((HUGS))) from Florida
karen says:
Please excuse the lack of overwhelmed comment….. dont want to put any temptation in the way of fate.
Will however sincerely look forward to next week when I can say what I feel right now
Sherri says:
Told you! Even better than the last one! Holy cow it is GORGEOUS!!!
Lisa says:
Love it!!! This house is so yours!!
Nanette says:
It’s PERFECTION! Can’t wait to see it in person!
Elaine says:
Looks lovely. Congratulations.
Kelly says:
I love it! The sun room/play room will get so much use, you will love it.
Nicole says:
Fingers crossed for you!
Kirsten says:
Kids should start learning to back away their own belongings from about 18 months, so go right ahead and get her packing her stuff!
The house looks awesome, I’m holing thumbs for all of you!!!
AngieM. says:
that kitchen is making me drool!
Stacy says:
*drools* I’m sooooooooooooooooooooooooooo jealous! Wicked jeaous! It’s beautiful! I’ll help you pack if I can cook in your kitchen!
Pattie says:
LOVE it! Fingers crossed for you that everything goes swimmingly this time and that you get the paperwork signed and keys in your hand soon. Good luck!
Mandy says:
That is a gorgeous house!! I hope all goes well with closing!
Cara says:
Love it Heather! The kitchen is amazing, I am jealous! Keeping my fingers crossed for you!
Marin D says:
Oh my gosh that is wonderful. I want that kitchen! I hate mine. Huge house, crappy kitchen! What is up? I hope you get it! :o)
Jenifer says:
Oh I have been thinking about you since the first house fell through. Fingers and toes crossed that this one is meant to be your new home!
Glenda says:
Love it! It’s beautiful! It’s spacious… love the floors…love the staging! The kitchen is big and beautiful… keeping my fingers crossed for you and Mike.
MelissaG says:
OMG, the floors! Wow, looks really nice. I hope all goes as planned!
Brittany says:
Gorgeous! Congrats and I hope everything works out and you close on time! That kitchen is awesome!!
Liss says:
you will LOVE those floors with a dog and a (spilling all the time) kid.
Jennifer says:
It looks gorgeous!
(And we moved when my son was 6 months old, and the changes going on around him definitely showed up in his behavior a bit. Just a heads up – try to pack Annies stuff last and unpack it first and make sure you always know where her Most Favorite Things are.)
Jen says:
Fingers crossed and clicking the ruby-red slippers that you’ll soon be spilling upon and smudging up the many surfaces of in this comfy dwelling you’ll call home sweet home for years to come.
Kayla says:
Oh Heather, your home* is GORGEOUS! Just absolutely beautiful – I think I love it even more than the first one!!
* And yes, I say your because I. Have. Optimism!
GingerB says:
Fabulous house! Finger and toes crossed here for you. It is like an anti-depressant building, all filled with light and reflective surfaces to bounce that light around. It will be yours, I can feel it in my bones. Can you shows us kid rooms too?
Jeanie says:
Fingers crossed for you. It looks lovely — and huge!
kate says:
uber-fun!! my fingers are crossed for you guys. The packing is SO worth it if you get to UNPACK everything in THAT place! Hooray for home-ownership! :)….and can we talk about the ping-pong?? I am almost more excited for you about that little potential addition…I see EPIC games nights in your future.
Courtney says:
It’s beautiful! Fingers crossed that it becomes yours soon!
Wallydraigle says:
GORGEOUS. I would come cook for you if I could live in your kitchen. Is that creepy?
Mommy says:
SOOOOOO pretty! I am so freaking jealous! That kitchen is an absolute DREAM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Leigh Elliott says:
GORGEOUS!!!!!! Fingers crossed super tight!
Heather Krauel says:
Congratulations! Bartending is totally cooking
Funsize says:
I LOVE your kitchen and screen room. SO jealous!
Mary Ann says:
It’s beautiful sending good vibes your way that everything works out this time. Congratuations!
lisa @ early morning run says:
Heather!! This is absolutely beautiful!! I wish you all the best of luck signing the papers and getting in there. You’re going to make such amazing memories in this place!! Congratulations!
Lynnette says:
Good luck to you guys! The house is beautiful!
Amy says:
WOW!!!! (and yes, I DO have serious house ENVY!!!) Looks gorgeous and love the sun room. Very happy for you all :))
Dee Dee says:
That is one kick ass house! I say it beats the last house by far. Good luck and I hope to be saying congrats in a couple of days. I love it!!!!
amourningmom says:
Best of luck! If Annie is not up for packing maybe Rigby will give it a try :-). Take care.
Lindy says:
What a lovely home!
Elle says:
It is gorgeous! Congratulations!!!!!
Rebecca says:
I had to laugh when I read that the house has a sun room that can be used year around. I think that Southern California can be used year around. The hottest it gets there is about 85F right? And the coldest is what 50F at night?
It’s been about 110F with lots of humidity here and only cooling off to about 80 at night. Of course in the winter it’s about 20-30F as our warmest temps…………..I might be jealous of your weather. Think I can move into your basement? Do you have a basement in that house? My family and I can move in….I’ll totally be your nanny.
Bampa says:
Rebecca..you’re right about Heather’s “sun room”. It’s more of a room addition on the sunniest side of the house. As for the highs and lows…guilty again. 85 is usually the extreme and at night temps drop into the 50’s which allows cooling without air conditioning. As for the basement …They are pretty rare in California. Everything is on a concrete slab so that when the ground moves one way..the house moves with it.
Rebecca says:
Bampa! Love that you replied to my comment! I love you in the Annie video’s! And the way Heather talks about you, you sound like a really great dad/grandpa!
Michelle H says:
Gorgeous! I wanna move to Cali!!!!
So happy for you!!!
Jennie says:
amazeballs to the MAX! how close to the H-view?!
Bampa says:
3 miles
Elisa says:
oh wow! I love love LOVE that family room, it’s amazing! Keeping my fingers crossed for you guys!
michele wallace says:
Beautiful! I’m totally jelous of mostly the kitchen
Kay says:
Gorgeous home and I’m very jealous of that kitchen. I love my kitchen and do cook every night but mine could use an update for sure! Hope it all works out for you this time.
Melissa says:
My dream kitchen. Just beautiful. Fingers crossed it all goes well. W’re house hunting now & I have a chronic stress headache from it.
jess says:
I’m in the process of trying to find my first place to rent. I’ll be moving in with a friend so it’s not as scary (omg on my own just me and my cat!!!!!) but one thing I’m looking for is a decent kitchen because I love to cook and bake. Your kitchen? I just died inside. I seriously just died inside. That is the most gorgeous kitchen ever. And I agree with Mike, try cooking one meal a week. Start small and work your way up! Also, crockpot meals count!
(Keep us informed on the fruit trees!! My aunt and uncle live in Cali and have fruit trees in their backyard and when I visited them had grapefruit for breakfast every day!)
Dennie says:
Lovely house! The lights are soft and its so spacious! This is the house my parents made me believe to be an American house and very few Filipinos owned the same one. I can’t wait to see pictures of Annie in your soon to be home. I’ll miss your brown sofa though.
Melissa says:
This looks just lovely! I love all the light….I think you will really enjoy an open floor plan, especially with Annie. When we were in DC we lived in apartments and then townhouses…and then when we moved to Florida we got a house (where we live now) with a very open floor plan, which works out so well with the kids.
And re the kitchen – you CAN cook, believe me. I couldn’t even make a basic pasta dish a few years ago and now I’m cooking up a storm!! My new large kitchen of course helped with that immensely, but I started working cooking into my day and planning for meals into my week and let me tell you it gets sooooo easy. When my mother saw me chop an onion last time she was here, here eyes nearly bugged out of her head! Start simple and go from there. If you want any clean recipes or anything, just email me. I’m on hiatus from my blog for a bit but I’m happy to give you some super easy and fast recipes.
Expat Mom says:
That kitchen is just too awesome!! What a gorgeous house. I have lots of really easy recipes (yet very impressive to the person not cooking) on my food blog, thegourmetmama.com, if you’re interested. Can’t wait to see pics of you guys settling in!
Erica says:
Congrats Mike, Heather and Annie! It’s beautiful!
Tara. says:
Congrats Mike, Heather and Annie! That house is gorgeous!
Hoping everything will go well this time and your move will go well.
Cathie says:
I. LOVE. THOSE. FLOORS.
Congrats on a beautiful new home.
Noelle says:
Looking forward to many, many Amazing Annabel videos to be filmed in your new home!
And maybe a cooking episode or two?!
Amy says:
Heather I am so late to say this but congratulations! The house is gorgeous and open and airy and you guys are going to be so happy there. Of COURSE you have a stage for Annie. xo
Kirsten says:
Any idea why so many of the pictures on your older posts don’t work?