2149 1/2 Woodridge Drive

Today has been cloudy and somewhat cooler, which has been a nice break from the heat of the summer. I suggested to the kids that we should enjoy it and play outside. Berkley agreed and also decided that we should have a picnic in the playhouse. Beckham thought that was a fabulous idea as well. So, I fixed our lunch and we all headed out to 2149 1/2 Woodridge Drive (where our busy b's reside) for a wonderful dining experience. As we ate lunch together in their playhouse, my mind began to take a stroll down memory lane. I thought back to how we acquired this wonderful house, the hours of work that Marmie & JT put into it, and all of the fun and excitement that have come since it was completed. I decided to take you all down memory lane as well. I hope you enjoy!

In the Summer of 2006 we were over at a friend's house eating dinner and letting the kids play. They have a daughter that is just a few days older than Berkley, and they have been friends pretty much since the moment they were born! We were watching Berkley and Annabelle play in a playhouse that they had in their yard that was completely falling apart. Our friend commented that they needed to get rid of the house before it did fall down. I immediately insisted that they could not get rid of it, knowing the potential this house could have. (The need to save an old house definitely comes from my mom!) They agreed, but knew it would be too much work. They offered the house to me on one condition... I had to find a way to get it off of their property without the house completely falling apart. I wished so badly there was a way to get it, but knew it would probably be too big of a job.

I was foolish to think that any job was too big for Marmie & JT who are pros at fixing up old houses! I mentioned the house in conversation to my mom and the offer that had been given to me and immediately her eyes lit up as she said, "You have to take it!" She mentioned it to my dad, and he just happened to have a guy who does some construction work for his company who owed him a little favor. He thought he might be able to move the house for us. So this is where the journey began.

The guys showed up with big machinery to make a plan of attack...
After several trials and errors, the house was successfully off of the ground,
headed down the driveway,
and onto the street headed to its new address!

Without much trouble, the house safely made it up our driveway.

Berkley watched the whole process, not completely understanding the prize that awaited her!
After a lot of hard work and maneuvering, the precious old house was settled in our backyard. It "sat" there for the entire summer untouched and unattended. It was not really in good condition to be played in, and time had not been found to spend "remodeling" it. Matt, who was not in favor of moving the house to our backyard for this very reason that it might just "sit" in our yard and continue to fall apart, was beginning to relish in many "I told you so" comments! The Fall and Spring passed as the little old house continued to sit. As Spring approached, plans began to be discussed as how to save this great house. Marmie spent many hours dreaming up all of the fixes that she could make to the house and planning its miraculous transformation. Once the Summer of 2007 began, there was some serious work that needed to be done!

I was 6 months pregnant and was not a lot of help during this renovation period, but not to fear... Marmie had 2 little helpers who were always eager for a job!

Look at these professional paint scrapers...

Working with such precision and technique!!! We could have scraped old paint for years!Anyone having images of Cinderella?!? Berkley was always a big help cleaning up at the end of a work day. Once the scraping was finished, it was on to the inside. Berkley assisted Marmie with the wallpaper.Meanwhile, there was quite a bit of construction going on inside. JT & Beckham built a counter complete with cabinets and a kitchen sink!Looks like Beckham is finishing up a job for JT.Hammering just a few more times... it has to be just right! JT putting some of the final touches on the paint job. (Beckham really wanted to be helping up there as well!)A little glimpse of a before photo of the inside of the playhouse... The same view after wallpaper, paint, new shutters and a lot of clean-up and TLC!!!

The playhouse was finally complete and Berkley had big plans! She had already decided during the renovation that she wanted to have a tea party in her new playhouse to celebrate her birthday. So, we quickly put all of the finishing touches on the playhouse and prepared to have a birthday brunch at 2149 1/2 Woodridge Drive to celebrate Berkley's 4th birthday. Here is the picture that we used for Berkley's invitation.

Several of Berkley's friends showed up, dressed in their tea party best, to enjoy the new playhouse with Berkley. They all had a great time and looked absolutely adorable!Marmie, Amy, and myself couldn't miss out on the fun either. We joined in and dressed up as well.Berkley's party was the first of many fun times in the playhouse. Berkley and Beckham both LOVE to play in the playhouse. (And I'm sure Brenner soon will!) It has been everything from a house, to a school, to Starbucks or the church nursery... you name it. Imaginations run wild when you step inside. Thank you Marmie & JT for all of the hard work you put into this dream house. We are all forever grateful and will always cherish all of the memories that are made inside!

This brings me back to the present... our picnic in the playhouse. (Just one of the many ways we are always enjoying this little place!) So if you are ever in the neighborhood, you must make sure to visit my little b's cozy cottage. Some even joke that it is nicer than some of the places they have lived. After all, Marmie was the interior decorator... what do you expect?!?