New House

The big day has come and gone... AJ and I FINALLY closed on our house this past weekend! We really went through some ups and downs during our first home-buying experience, so we're so happy to finally be in our dream home. AJ and I had signed a purchase agreement on a townhome back in November, and after a long wait during the short-sale process, we decided to call off the deal and start searching again. Short sales are such a tease, and can be the biggest upset if you have your heart set on a place. In our case, we were upset at first about loosing the townhouse, but it turned out to be a blessing in disguise, because we found the HOUSE of our dreams. Christian Unser, one of the producers at TWIN CITIES LIVE, has named our new home the "Minnetonka Mansion". This house is everything we wanted... new, clean, open, and it even has a HOT TUB (but we don't know if it works)!

We spent the weekend moving in with the help of our family and friends. AJ's dad installed all our bathroom hooks and hangers, as well as helping AJ mount the downstairs TV. My parents surprised us with a brand new grill for the deck! We really appreciate everyone's help. We couldn't have gotten moved in so quickly if it wasn't for our friends and family.

I'm quickly learning what it takes to be a home owner. I've already called to have our cable hooked up, set up garbage/recycling, electricity, gas, water and sewer! Although I had to ask my co-workers what gas was used for, and who picks up our garbage... I still did it all by myself! I had no idea how much goes in to getting settled in a new home... and how much money things cost! And it's the little things you don't realize you have until you're in a new home... things like garbage cans, toilet paper holders, rakes, etc.

Speaking of rakes, AJ and I took a little trip to Home Depot on Sunday to buy two rakes and spent 3 HOURS raking and bagging 20 bags of leaves! This was not one of the weekend highlights... especially when you have a big yard. Big yards are great, until you have to rake them... and we haven't even started mowing yet!

But we really are so excited to be in our first home. Let us know if you'd like to stop by because we love visitors!!!