Before Pictures - Part 4

Last set of pictures!

Our Bedroom.

More bedroom.

We would like you to notice how none of the bedrooms have closets in the rooms, which is going to require some creativity in terms of storage.

Also, we would like your opinion on something.  Please look at all the rooms upstairs.  We're having difficulty trying to decide how to paint them.  Since all the ceilings are slanted, it's difficult to determine where the ceiling ends and the wall begins.  Any suggestions or advice please!!!!

And remember to stay tuned over the coming months as we unpack and settle into our quirky British cottage!

The Chrastinas

Before Pictures - Part 3

More pictures!!!!

Upstairs hallway - we've already bought a chest for the hallway

to put extra sheets, blankets, and linens in.

Spare Bedroom #1 - this will house a twin bed for guests 

as well as a desk and Melissa's crafting/knitting supplies.

Spare Bedroom #2 - this room will have a double bed 

for guests to stay in.

Upstairs Bathroom - very spacious, but no room for a shower

due to the slanted ceiling.

Upstairs Bathroom.

The Chrastinas

Before Pictures - Part 2

More before pictures of the inside of our house!

Downstairs hallway and cupboard under the stairs - Harry Potter style.

More hallway, internet equipment, and the door that won't open.

Dining room - complete with loaner furniture and hideous tangerine walls.

Living room - with loaner couch and our awesome entertainment center

(i.e. rubbermaid storage containers).

More living room.  There is also a fireplace on the wall you can't see.

We intend on putting bookshelves on either side of the fireplace.

The Chrastinas

Before Pictures - Part 1

Since we're going to be living in our house for the next 3 years, and our landlady has no problem with it, we're going to be painting the rooms of our house.  Here are before pictures of the inside of our house before unpacking, before our furniture is here, and before we paint the different rooms.  Stay tuned over the next few months as we paint and unpack to see the final results!

Downstairs bathroom - the only one with a shower.

Tiny kitchen - which is currently a complete disaster.

More kitchen - thankfully we have a regular size fridge.  

British refrigerators are much smaller.  And yes, our

washer and dryer are in our kitchen.

The office - completely filled with boxes.

This room is currently totally un-usable.

More office.  This is the only room in the house with a closet.

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Our Life...

...is just completely inundated with boxes!!!!

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Baby Bosch

For those that don't know Griffin's sister, Ann, is expecting her first baby in February!  Here are pictures from her 10 -week and 20-week sonograms.  They want to be surprised about the baby's sex, so we still don't know the gender of little baby Bosch!

At 10 weeks.

At 10 weeks.

At 20 weeks.

At 20 weeks.

Look!  It already has the Chrastina signature nose!

We can't wait to meet you Baby Bosch!

The Chrastinas

New Pictures of Baby Laela!

Here are updated pictures of my cousin's baby, Laela, at 7 weeks!

The Chrastinas

Congratulations to Caitlin and JP...

...who are expecting their first child in April!  We couldn't be happier about the start of your family!  Congratulations!

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Welcome to the World Lilyana Jean!

Congratulations to Devon and Bob who welcomed their first baby girl last week!

Lilyana Jean Weaver

September 15, 2008

8:58 p.m.

8 lbs. 6 oz.

20 inches

You can follow little Lily's life at her blog: www.littlelilyjean.blogspot.com

The Chrastinas

Happy Fall!

It seems that autumn has quickly fallen upon us.  Melissa and Griffin have both gone back to school; Melissa in her last semester before graduating and Griffin another class towards his degree.  We are both enrolled in the same Public Speaking class on-site at RAF Alconbury and then Melissa is taking the remainder of her classes online.  

The house is moving along very slowly.  With Melissa back to work, at the base Child Development Center, there has been little time to do much around the house.  Due to a paperwork snafu by the Navy down in Norfolk, it looks like we won't be getting our furniture for some time.  Which does leave us a little more time to do some painting around the house.

Other than that, there's not too much to report from across the pond.  We have quickly settled into our daily routine of work, school, and unpacking.

Happy back to school and fall to all others out there!

The Chrastina's

Introducing Laela Mae

Laela Mae Stackhouse

August 13, 2008

born at 8:36 p.m.

7 lbs. 1 oz.

21 1/2 inches

The Chrastina's

Congratulations Jaclyn and Mike!

Laela Mae Stackhouse was born last night, August 13, by C-section at 8:36 p.m and weighing 7 lbs. 1 oz.  Pictures to come as soon as we can get our hands on some!

Congratulations on your new family and beautiful baby girl!

The Chrastina's

Robin Hood Festival

On Saturday we went to the Robin Hood Festival in Sherwood Forest, near Nottingham.  We had a really good time.  It was like a Renaissance Faire, but actually took place in a country that experienced the Renaissance!  There was food, gift shops, story-telling, archery demonstrations, alchemists, and, of course, a joust.  It was a really fun day!

Griffin & Robin Hood

A very patriotic archery demonstration.

Sherwood Forest

The joust.

A victorious Robin Hood.

The Chrastina's

Our British Cottage

This is our new home!  Our little British cottage is located just outside the village of Alconbury and right near the base!  Though it has some bugs, needs some sprucing up, and has had its fair share of problems, we're looking forward to have a very British experience this time around!  Some of the home's highlights include: 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, study, dining room, lounge, kitchen, patio, and a nice size backyard!  We can't wait to have visitors!  And did we mention that we have a gardener!  No yardwork for us!

The front of our house, including the medieval door that cannot be opened.

Sliding glass door and patio.

Nice, big backyard for Bailey.

The "driveway."

Shed and kitchen door (how you would actually enter our home).

Look for pictures of the inside shortly.  Right now there's just stuff everywhere.  But once we've painted, received our belongings, and set-up we'll be willing to share pictures of the inside of our cozy new home!

The Chrastina's

England, here we come!

For those that don't know, Griffin is being stationed in England again.  So we have moved back since July 15th!  We'll be here until July 2011 and welcome visitors!  Cheerio!

The Chrastina's

Delaware - Bed & Breakfast

To enjoy our last week-end in the U.S., we decided to go on vacation with Bailey.  We decided to go to a Bed and Breakfast in Lewes, Delaware that is pet friendly!  This way we were able to enjoy time with Bailey and just relax after the stress of packing and getting ready for the move.  The Lazy L (http://www.lazyl.net) was a fantastic place to stay!  Our room was beautiful, breakfast was delicious, and the pool and scenery were amazing!

The front of the Lazy L.

The marsh.

The back, including hot tub.

More marsh.

Mr. Bailey with his huge tongue hanging out.

Bailey at the beach.

Bailey with his paws (and whole body) on this side of the Atlantic.

Family portrait.

Outdoor dog park.

We had such a fantastic time, and would recommend it to anyone!

The Chrastina's