10 hours, 2 truck loads, and 8 family members and friends later…we are in the new house!
Thank you all so much for hangin’ in there with me while we’re getting settled in. I don’t think I’ve ever been more exhausted in my entire life, though I’m sure it’s nothing compared to how Ben et al. are still feeling after the marathon box and furniture moving sesh that started bright and early on Saturday morning with coffee and sustenance from The Dunk!
We fueled up then moved…and moved, and moved (and moved, and moved, and moved!)
10 hours later every item we own had been taken out of our old place, and put into the new one. After our last move I said we would never do it again without professional movers. Ben, who “likes” moving, now agrees. We’re getting too old for this much heavy lifting! ; )
At the end of the day, and after a much-needed round of showers (it did end up being the hottest day of the year so far!) we celebrated with Chipotle for dinner and fireball shots for the men…which they took then promptly passed out. ; )
Welcome to the new crib!
The two features of this house that really sold us are the kitchen (show ya’ in a sec) and the outdoor living area, complete with a serene koi pond with waterfalls and fountains, and a lushly landscaped yard.
We came from a house with virtually zero landscaping, to a house with maintenance-requiring plants on all 4 sides of the house. I know, what have we gotten ourselves into, but gosh, it sure is calming and pleasant.
We’ll probably have to scale back some of the plants, but that’s a decision for another day.
Oh, Mr. Bullfrog says hello!
The other part of the house that immediately spoke to me was the immaculate kitchen.
Every finish was something I’d pick out myself if I were to build my own kitchen from scratch, and I could not be happier with it. It’s absolutely gorgeous, and SO functional.
Check out my lid drawer – WHEE!
The outdoor space also has a wonderful kitchen, complete with an all-season fridge for quick beer access, a sink with disposal for easy cleanup, and a gas line-fed grill, which means no propane tanks to mess around with.
Last night Ben and I broke ‘er in and grilled steaks and asparagus for our first real home-cooked dinner. I used this steak marinade recipe > on a couple of shoulder tenders.
And tossed fresh asparagus with extra virgin olive oil, salt, and pepper, then rolled them around on the hot grates for a few minutes.
Enjoyed under the evening sun, with the birds and crickets, it was just bliss. I cannot wait for a thousand more nights spent just like this. Nursery tour to come after the baby arrives! : )
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Congrats on getting into the new house!
It all looks amazing so far!
And I’m officially jealous of your grill, that thing looks all kinds of awesome.
As does this taco dip! Mexican food is my favorite and this looks so tasty, although I can’t have greek yogurt, but I bet avocado would make a suitable replacement.
Totally! A yog/guac swap would be great too!
I’m really impressed you already have a recipe posted after your move. When we moved, I’m pretty sure my kitchen stayed in boxes for a few extra days. haha
It was the one room in the house that I felt compelled to unpack right away. The rest can wait! ;)
Beautiful yard and kitchen! Congrats! We are house hunting now too and these are two of the top items on our list. Wish us luck!
Good luck, Sarah! You’ll find what you’re looking for!
That kitchen? TO DIE FOR! Love the landscaping too. Glad you all moved in safely and are safe from the storms (and tornados by my house)! Can’t wait to see the food photos from your new digs.
xoxo
oh my goSH amazing! That backyard is luscious and the kitchen looks like a dream to cook in!
Oh my, I am totally green with envy over your outdoor space! We just moved into a Beaverdale house and the exterior and the kitchen are what need the most work!
Enjoy your new digs! The landscaping and outdoor kitchen are amazing. I’ve been wanting to make our outdoor space more liveable. Never thought about putting a kitchen sink, etc., outdoors. Got to love summer dining!
We said the same thing after we moved the last time! Luckily since then we’ve gotten married and now own “real” plates and appliances so I have the argument that if they broke due to our terrible moving skills, we’d have to spend a lot of money to replace them!
Your house is gorgeous! Slightly jealous over here with my one bedder! :)
I LOVE your new place, Kristin!!! I’m with you, the kitchen and the landscaping would have sold me in an instant :) I would be out on the patio at all times taking in the lovely yard!
It is gorgeous! Your kitchen is amazing, but the grill! WOW! I am so jealous!! Nice!
This dipp also looks delicious! Win, win of a post!
My gosh your new place is beautiful! Love the amazing outdoor space. We’re working on getting out outdoor space into “entertaining” shape, but we have a long way to go.
And yes, professional movers are well worth every penny. We used them for our move up to Minneapolis and it was a huge lifesaver.
Des Moines has a Dunkin Donuts? How did I not know that? Congrats on the house and that gorgeous kitchen! I’ll be trying the taco dip soon. :)
Yeah! On 8th street right off I-235. There’s a new one coming in Waukee very soon, and I think like, 5 more in the next several years. Wahoo!
Wow, Kristin. Your new house is beautiful! That kitchen…and that yard…gorgeous. How exciting to be the owners of such a nice home with your first baby on the way. Congratulations!
Congrats!! The house is so gorgeous – the landscaping is breathtaking and the kitchen is a dream kitchen! Wish you guys much luck with it!
The house looks amazing! You’ll love that backyard with your little boy when he’s old enough to go exploring. The taco dip looks great too.
oh gosh, that kitchen is beautiful! and the outside kitchen is amazing!!
Your outdoor living area (WITH a ceiling fan- how cool!) is absolutely awesome. And that kitchen? Yup, that would have sold me, too! :)
Your house is GORGEOUS!! Congratulations :) Can’t wait to see the nursery after your little one arrives!!
I’ll have to go back and review the recipe — b/c your new place stole the show :) That backyard is something out of my dreams. Kitchen for my husband; fantastic landscaping for me. ENJOY!!
Lovely!!! Those are my cors too! I love you outdoor space! I could just die! Congrats! Looking forward to baby room pics! Now relax!
I loved seeing the baby stuff in the back of the truck…can’t wait for your little guy to make his entrance :)
I would also like to just live on your deck…so fun to have such a great outdoor kitchen (and a beautiful indoor one)!
Plus, I’ll be making this dip sometime soon. The addition of hummus is a great idea!
WOW & WOW, Beautiful new digs! Congrats! Love that outdoor living space & kitch! A beautiful healthy boy otta round out a perfect summer for you!
I love, love, LOVED your greek dip platter last summer, and am super excited to throw together this taco one! Congrats on your new house–can’t wait to see how the rest of the rooms come together!
Wow, it looks like a dream house. I have a huge crush on your indoor AND outdoor kitchens.
Gorgeous kitchen and gorgeous yard! I love that your grill is gas-fed! Propane can be a pain sometimes! We’ll have to try that taco dip soon! Yummy! Can’t wait to meet the baby!
Wow – your yard is GORGEOUS!! We just bought a house and have been working hard to make the yard more presentable. I greatly appreciate all that gorgeous/peacefulness.
Love this dip idea! Totally trying it for an upcoming BBQ. Thanks for sharing the recipe.
I looooooooove your new home!
Do you need a maid or a gardener??? lol
Enjoy your new home. I am super happy for you guys!
That backyard is beyond serene & surreal…. I absolutely want something exactly like that!!!! It looks like a private oasis that could almost feel like you’re on vacation in the spring and summertime!
LOVE the kitchen too! Those are the two “must-haves” (functional, well-sized kitchen and patio deck + large backyard) as well when we begin to look for our “forever/for-the-long-run” home!
CONGRATS ON YOUR PLACE! Your baby boy is a lucky one to get to grow up in that beauty :)
Oh Kristin, the house is just gorgeous!! That backyard/deck took my breath away! SO happy for you guys! Are you still near your parents? Can’t wait to see more pics of the rest of the house. :)
We’re 10 minutes away now, instead of 2. It was traumatizing at first, but each time the drive goes a little bit faster! (I realize this sounds nuts!)
The house is beautiful! It looks like something off of HGTV. Aren’t you due in a few weeks? There’s no wonder you would be exhausted. I would have had my feet propped up eating that yummy dip while I watched everyone else do the work if I were in your shoes.
Lucky you Kristin. Everything is gorgeous and I predict more happiness to come. Warm wishes! Keep that frog happy and all will be well!
It is so gorgeous!!! I absolutely love everything about it girl! CONGRATS!!!
The new house is gorgeous! I am insanely jealous of your kitchen!
And this taco platter – YES PLEASE! I may just have to make it for dinner tonight!
Totally STUNNING! I could dig it for sure :) congrats…cant wait to see “your touch” to the place! We have always used low fat sour cream for taco dip…so I am intrigued by Greek yogurt as a sub for it. Will def- be trying it out!! :D
Glad the move went well and you were still there to oversee it all – my waters broke at 4am on the day our removals were coming at 10am! So glad it didn’t happen to you :)
Congratulations on your new home, it is just beautiful! Especially love the kitchen and the lush backyard.
beautiful house!!! just in time for the little one :)
Welcome to the neighborhood!!!! I saw you moving in but didn’t want to bother you! You picked a great neighborhood (anyone tell you about the 3 parks off the walking trails?) to raise kiddos! I will definitely stop by and say hi when I see you out again!
Oh my gosh too funny – talk to you soon! :)
Your new house is fantastic! Yay for the move going well and being all moved in. :)
oh, it looks amazing! we will be in our house in exactly one month, and i am so excited to finally be able to live with all the things i fell in love with!
:)!!!!
WOW, your house is beautiful!!! Congrats to you! And that taco dip looks delicious, I am going to try and make it this Friday when we have friends over for a grill out!
Congrats on the new house it looks great :)
Loving that taco dip recipe too!
Wow! i LOVE you new house! Congrats! Id die for that kitchen, and those flowers, beautiful!
Congratulations on your new beautiful home! I have followed your blog for a year and find you refreshing, informative and delightful! Big reveal, I am your parents age!!!
I can’t wait to see your new addition! Susan
You totally deserve this amazing new nest. When I saw the kitchen I could already imagine your blog pics from the new venue. Counting the days down with you in anticipation of the new babe and wishing you and Ben all the very best. Hugs from Kansas!
I’m in awe at both the yard AND the kitchen! What a beautiful home!
The taco dip ain’t so bad either ;)
Your new home looks wonderful! BTW, this Kansas girl got to experience the farmer’s market in downtown Des Moines a few weeks ago. Thanks for bringing it to our attention and for all the wonderful recipes you share.
wow your house is absolutely beautiful! congrats!
Your new home is gorgeous! Talk about an amazing kitchen. And this dip… oh man. Healthy and delicious. Can’t wait to make it!
congratulations on the new place! the kitchen(s) are amazing!
xo julesinflats.com