The Framing of Our House!

Last week Jeff and I drove by our new home site just to see if any visual progress was made. As we're about to turn down our street we could actually see a glimpse of our house from far away. Jeff and I couldn't believe it. The frame of our house was up in less then a week. It's actually starting to feel very real now seeing the house all put together.

Here are some pictures of our house:

Jeff's Graduation Present

Almost 2 years ago, I graduated with my Masters in Information Systems at UMBC. For a while, I was talking about getting another dog to keep Lucy, our pug, company during the day (Lucy at that time started not to hear or see well, so I thought the company might do her some well). I wanted another pug, but Jeff as much as he had grown to love Lucy didn't think he could handle two dogs snoring at night and snorting in his face. Jeff's grandfather always had beagles, so he wanted to get a beagle. I told him we could always get a puggle, but he said "no, we don't really need another dog." Little did I know that almost a year later, Jeff would drive all the way up to Northern Pennsylvania to get a puggle.

That night he came home very late, after spending the entire day with his friend in PA (oh so I thought), that I rushed upstairs to meet him at the door. There Jeff was holding in his hands this wrinkly and adorable puggle puppy. I quickly said "What is that?" He said "Look we compromised; it's a puggle - part beagle / part pug. Congrats on your masters. I'm so proud of you."

Zoey has been a great addition to our family -- it was totally worth getting my masters. LOL

Here is a picture of Zoey on her first night home:


Now that Jeff is graduating with his Masters in Information Assurance on May 15th. I had to think of something very special to do for him also. I asked Jeff if he would like another puggle, but he didn't go for that one.

After 3 months of researching and planning, I decided on the perfect graduation gift. I decided to get Jeff a pool table with a ping pong conversion top to put in our new basement.

Last week (when Jeff finished his last assignment), I told Jeff what his gift was and that I wanted him to come with me to pick it out. He was so thrilled to hear he was getting a pool table that he quickly started doing research.

We ended up purchasing the pool table on the first night we went out (after negotiating a wall cue rack, upgraded felt, the ultimate accessory kit, delivery, and installation all for free). It was a done deal...almost. After purchasing the table, Jeff noticed that the guy charged us $5.00 too much. Instead of refunding us the money, Jeff got the salesman to give us pool table cover valued at $115.00 for the $5.00 extra we spent.

Here is a picture of Jeff's graduation present:


Jeff - I'm so proud of you. Congrats. I love you.

Foundation Construction Part 3

Spoke to our project manager today and he said within the next two weeks the frame of our house will go up!

Pictured below are more construction work to the foundation:

Below is our basement and to the left of the picture you will see our basement door walk out on the side of house.
Below I am pictured on the side of our house where the stairs are for our basement exit.

Appliances Check!

When we purchased our new house we got to choose a double oven, microwave, and dish washer at a much upgraded selection for almost FREE! We had the option to go through our building company and also get a refrigerator and washer/dryer, but both Jeff and I opted to go purchase those units on our own.

We both wanted very specific things in our refrigerator and washer/dryer, so before even buying our new house we use to use the phrase "in our next house" a lot. So, today after seeing our favorite fridge go on sale at Best Buy this weekend, we decided to mark one more thing off "Our List to Do before We Move."

So below is what I call the "SUPER FRIDGE":

I LOVE THIS FRIDGE! It comes complete with French doors, a ice and filtered water dispenser (a must for Jeff), very spacious, energy star qualified (to save some money), and an LCD touch screen (for both of us). Plus it got great reviews from both customers and professional critics (researched by Jeff).

With the LCD screen: You can also access a calendar, check your schedule, read nutrition facts, showcase personal photos, and even check unit conversions for those last minute cooking emergencies.

Jeff also pointed out how the freezer is also child proof, because the handle needs to be lifted up and then pulled to be open. I love it-Jeff thinking in advance!

And finally below is what I call the "STEAMERS TO THE MAX":

Both the washer and dryer steams clothes (less ironing) and can fit up to two queen comforters (less loads)! We also purchased the pedestals for extra storage and the fact they sit up higher, so we don't have to bend over to get clothes out.

I am so excited to see our purchases in our new house!

Foundation Construction Part 2

Three days after our foundation was set, we could see the start of work being done to the interior:

Our driveway and garage:


The start of our basement:

View from our backyard:

More pictures to be posted soon!

Foundation Construction Part 1

After the hole was dug, 7 days later the foundation of our house was completed. We can actually see the start of our basement, morning room, and garage. We can't wait to see what happens at the end of this week...when the framing starts!

But until then enjoy some new pictures of our future house...

7 eleven, 7/11, or 7:11

When Jeff and I got engaged, we decided to get married a year later in June or July. When it came down to picking our date we noticed that 7/11 fell on a Saturday. We thought it was kind of funny and we both knew we would never forget that date--for obvious reasons. :-)

This past 7/11 we got married and it's hard to believe that we've almost been married a year (and been together six years). At our wedding during the cocktail hour, we even served alcoholic slurpees in 7 eleven cups to commemorate the date.

One of my friends asked me not too long ago "How did you know Jeff was the one?" And I answered, Jeff is my best friend and I can't imagine spending forever with somebody that isn't. Plus every night and every morning at 7:11 he kisses me and tells me he loves me.

Below is a link to see some more photos from our wedding:

Wedding Slide Show

Baby Sit, Baby Heal, Baby Fetch!

It's been great watching my husband with our first nephew, Nicholas (my brother’s son).
Jeff, being an only child and the youngest in his entire family, never had the opportunity to be around young children before. The only thing he has ever watched or taken care of has been puppies/dogs, so needless to say that Jeff got a little confused when it came to time to be in the company of a baby for the first time.

• The first time Jeff held Nicholas he petted him like a dog.
  


• A few months later, Jeff was trying to teach Nicholas his first trick "rollover"!



• Another time, Jeff got the idea that he wanted to play fetch with Nicholas the only problem was Zoey (our Puggle) would be the only one chasing after the baby toys. It wasn't until Jeff decided to throw a bone (meant for Zoey) that Nicholas hurried up (doing his marine crawl) to get to that bone and eat it. Not that we let him put the bone in his mouth, but he did enjoy chasing the bone a couple more times after that…hmm maybe Jeff was on to something. J/k
  

But my favorite all time memory of Jeff with Nicholas was when Nicholas was not feeling well and was crying alot. Jeff asked me if he could hold him and he rocked Nicholas in his arms (standing) for almost an hour until he felt better. It’s moments like that which make me truly appreciate my husband for the lengths he goes through to make others happy. I love you Jeff.

The Dig!

The hole for where our house will go has been dug!

Below are pictures of the home site and Jeff posing with our lot sold sign:


And here Jeff is pictured in the giant hole (quick somebody bury him in it--just kidding). :-)

Jeff and I are super excited for the coming weeks and can't wait to finally see our house finished.

We Bought A New Single Family Home!

Over the past year there have been a lot of changes in the Burke's family. Jeff and I got married on 7/11/2009, I changed my last name to Burke, I got a new job, and last but not least we bought a new single family home!

Below is a picture of us after we purchased our new home:

We decided to go with new construction in a community of only 4 houses in Severn, MD. The community just felt right to both of us not too many houses (but still a community), our property backing to woods and in view of a farm with horses, and plenty of parking for our friends and family.

Below is a picture of our lot and future home site:

Jeff and I can't wait to move into our new home, but until then we plan to post weekly pictures of the development of our new home. Check back soon!