What an amazing trip! No, we didn't decide to stay there for 4 weeks instead of 1... I've just been overloaded with work and such since getting back so the blog took a bit more extended vacation than I did.

 

First, the home turned out better than I had ever imagined. It's hard to fully picture everything that might be when you're trying to do everything remotely, but our designer (Carmen from 4Front Interiors) did an absolutely wonderful job. As did out tiler, Chris from Taffy Tile. When we first looked at the home, there was some really worse-for-wear linoleum in the kitchen in bathrooms, and some carpeting on it's last legs in the living room and family room. We had Chris replace all that with tile, and it came out wonderful. We also had the home painted from top to bottom, with Carmen selecting colors and accent walls, and the new high gloss white on the trim and railing made everything look like a brand new model home. But enough talk... here's some pics!

 

This is the living room, on the left as soon as you walk in the front door. I really liked the contrasting colors on the walls and the windows treatments. 

 

This is the dining room, connected to the living room with an opeing in the wall which is a pass-thru to the kitchen. I love how the bookshelves stand out with the darker paint inside each cubby.

 

 

The kitchen is nice and roomy (way more cabinet space than I have things to put in them) and there's an eat-in area right off the island.

 

 

There's a pantry next to the refrigerator and one of two sliding glass doors leading out to the pool. We arrived very late so didn't take pictures of the very dark pool, although the light switches next to the door turn on the pool lights.

 

 

Nice family room, huh? I added a 50" HD Plasma TV against the wall, but my TV stand hadn't arrived yet so I didn't take a picture. I'll be adding one soon.

 

 

So this a 7 bedroom home, and we've got one Master bedroom downstairs (off the family room) with a King, another Master upstairs with a King, then two rooms with Queen beds, and the remaining three rooms with matching twins.

 

This is the downstairs Master.

 

 

And that leads into a really nice Master bath with soaking tub and oversized shower...

 

 

Upstairs we have the 6 other bedrooms. The first is the other Master, followed by the two Queens and three twins...

 

 

Then Queen #1...

 

 

Then Queen #2...

 

 

Then the Animal room...

 

 

Then the Star room...

 

 

And lastly... drum roll, please... the Mickey room!

 

And that's the house (for now). More pics coming... especially of the trip itself. My son Derek got a new digital camera for Christmas and took some fantastic shots at the parks. I just need to show him how to post.