So I used to get all sucked into the HGTV Dream Home Sweepstakes.
That’s not to say that I don’t already live in a pretty sweet place, cause I do. Extremely lucky and extremely grateful. Mostly for Kevin who took an average house and turned it into a masterpiece of home renovation. But as nice as it is on the inside, there’s only about 10,000 sq ft of outside that comes with it. That’s a smallish side-yard, some room for palm trees and a pool backyard and a medusa-like cactus the size of a small home in the front yard.
I grew up on a normal sized lot in the suburbs. Kevin grew up on a 40 acre sized lot with a river running through it and an island for goodness sake! So needless to say he feels a little closed in on his 1/4 acre here in Mesa.
The homes on HGTV Dream Home always got me all gaga with their stately homes and picturesque lots with sweeping views. Well thanks to fate/luck/really nice people/an abundant universe/luck/our risk-taking nature we have our own little slice of dream homey-ness on the edge of some AZ wilderness. I’ve always said that I wanted my own little piece of the wild, wild west, right? Well now I have it!
I’ve posted this photo before because the Superstition Mountains call to me, but it turns out this shot (taken by Kevin!) is not just any random shot – it’s our new backyard! He took this from our master bedroom balcony!
Here’s a shot as the sun was starting to set. See the mountain on the left? That’s The Superstition Mnts. that I’m always blathering on about! I am giddy at the prospect of some of the shots I’ll be able to walk out and get any time I want to walk out and get them. Sunflare & cactus? Mountain silhouettes? Sunrise? Sunset? Critters? Hawks? Ohemgee, I think I am moving to photographic heaven!
We decided to take a hike up the hill behind our house. As I trudged along, I could not believe that we could walk so far and still be in our own yard! I’ve never had a yard like this before. Hey how did they get so far ahead of me? Note to self, bring a bottle of water next time. The top of this hill looked like it was sooo close. It was not.
Here’s the view as we walked up the hill behind our house. We are still in our yard!
Here’s the medium-sized villager on what I think is his first hike ever. To the right of him is our house. This path is right at the top of our hill and is the steepest hill I’ve ever walked up. But I’m a multi-tasker because I was taking photos, balancing myself and holding the baby! At this point I was pretty sure Kevin was going to need to walk back down to our house and get the car to come pick me up. I was a little skeered about getting back down. Can’t wait to tackle this hill for some great exercise in the mornings!
I won’t bore you with any more for now, but I just wanted to share our exciting news!
Hope you have the happiest of weekends!!
Tracy
I know, right? My husband gets a little more worried each time he sees me looking at yours! I am going to try to figure out the wildlife situation and see what I’ll be up against.
Thanks, Kim! You are all welcome ANYtime! Of course we are the dipshits who bought a house with only 3 bedrooms, (who builds a 4,200 sq ft house with only 3 bedrooms?) so you might actually have to use the tent! Of course I shudder to think what sort of wildlife may visit you in the night, so I’ll clear the kids out of their rooms and relocate them so you can sleep inside where it’s bound to be safer!
And we are also the brilliants who bought a house in AZ with no pool, so don’t come in August! Might be a nice winter get-away-for you tho!! We’ve got to get busy planning the addition(s) and pool!
When do the chicks arrive?
Wow, it looks amazing! Is there room for your favorite cousin, his wife and their 3 kids to stay? We could pitch a tent in that huge yard.
Hey Shan!
Thanks! Oh, you are so right – I totally need a carrier/sling. At first I thought back-pack style, but I don’t know that I’ve seen any with rave reviews. I think I’d actually feel more comfortable with her in front of me and be less likely to loose my balance. She’s almost 16 months old and weights 20 something lbs. Any suggestions on what brand/style to get that won’t kill my back?
Thanks again!
T
WOW- all I can say is WOW. What a wonderful thing for your family!
Side note: put the baby into a sling and u can have your hands free…