Summer 2008 wrap-up

It has been a busy summer in Marshall-Krummville. Some highlights:

We put our Ravenna house on the market. Spent most of the spring and early summer getting it ready to sell.

Why? Aaa; we weren't thrilled with the isolated location, although we FINALLY had the house the way we wanted it. We dreamed of a neighborhood with sidewalks and other families.

The house sold, even in a tough market -- nice validation for all Krumm's hard work.

David O'Grady and Michelle and then John and Elia came to visit during the staging process -- and all were good natured about it, thank goodness. It was fun and grounding to have friends and family interrupt the chaos for just a little while.

With the help of the world's best real estate agent, Kay Rigley, we found a new place in Maple Leaf. The location is perfect; the neighborhood is literally TEAMING with families. It's almost ridiculous how many baby carriages are traveling the street at any given moment. We have full view of them, too, from our corner perch just one block from a very popular coffee shop.

The new place is another Seattle oldie but goodie. It feels small, because the main floor is smaller than the main floor of our other house. But there's a fully finished attic space and partially finished basement with potential. Settling in has been a little overwhelming -- there's a LOT to do. The pic should give you a flavor for the best and worst of it.

Green carpeting already gone. Nice hardwords underneath.

Grandma came for a visit just in time to help us get settled. She was a HUGE help.

Although the move took up most of the summer, we managed to squeeze in our first family camping trip on a gorgeous weekend mid-September. We went with Erin, Eric, and Ruby to a place called Owhi, on Cooper Lake, just north of Rosalyn and Lake Cle Ellum. GORGEOUS sites, if a little populated (with other families, though -- fun!). You park your car at the top and walk in. Great fun! Tristen and Roo spent HOURS throwing rocks in the lake, enjoyed their first s'mores, and slept well in the tents. Here are some pix of the happy little campers: