5 Yrs at Susan--The Never Ending Project

We moved into our home exactly 5 yrs ago this month. I fell in love with this house and location from the moment I walked in-- which in looking back was a bit of a miracle. Holy cow did it need work! But I saw the potential and believe me after looking at 100's of houses before this one I knew exactly what I wanted. So 1000 hrs later this is what we have now. These are just the "before" pictures that the sellers gave us. I wish I would have taken more but oh well. So for every "before" picture I just took an "after." Sometime I'll put other pictures of the house as well but this is a good start. After all, it is our families anniversary in our home and this is what it looked like almost 5 yrs ago today. And to think that Tom didn't think he was a do-it-yourselfer kinda guy. Ha Ha Tom--you are amazing!

I could not find a picture of the house before we added some curb appeal. It would have been a lot better with an image to show how bad it was but basically we changed the windows, knocked out the lava rock planter on the front porch, made shutters and window boxes, painted the front door, and played around with the landscaping. Needless to say I got the cottage I always wanted instead of whatever crazy 7o's style it had before.

The Brown's love the Beach!

Newport Beach with the Brown family. I don't think there is a better place to have a family reunion then the beach. The only time we leave, and by we, I do not mean me, because I never leave, is to go to the grocery store. Since that happens to be Tom and my Dads favorite pastime, they are the only ones out of all 25 of us that venture off. Well unless walking down to the doughnut shop counts as leaving. Because we do that every morning. Needless to say from sun up to sun down you can spot the Brown sisters, some husbands and Grandma plus like 50 children planted directly in front of the water. Newport Beach is empty this time of year so that really is just my family sitting there and believe me it is heaven! Nicholas drove with us down there and then flew back for football and school. It was perfect having him there and a bit empty when he left.

Winston Farr and NicholasBenjamin skim boardingKick off to birthday season. Ella's 8th birthday breakfast. We ate at our favorite breakfast spot Ruby's. Have you had their cinnamon french toast--to die for!Ella loved skim skim boarding this year and she would practice for hours

My CharlieI just thought this picture was so cute of Annabelle and Anna KateA twin and Charlie looking at their treasures

What everyone does for 1 week straight--play in the water

210 Miles, 3 States and Some Amazing Riders

The Lo to Ja finish line. This is Gardner and his son Josh (who by the way rode the whole 210 miles by himself.) He had biked on the Tandem with Gardner in years past. Pretty impressive for a "17" year old. This is Gard and his brother in law Brian. Brian is very anxious to know how far back the competition was.

Everyone at the finish line well except Tiffy she was asleep in a field close by.I love this race! It is so inspiring! Gardner has said that after doing this race for "20" yrs he is going to call it quits. I am devastated because I look so forward to being with my family in Jackson Hole this time of year. We will have to find another reason besides the Lo To Ja to spend a weekend enjoying fall in Wyoming.