I had a couple of request for photos of the inside our home and hope to get to those soon. For now I wanted to share our first large family meal together over Easter dinner. This was our first chance to have all family for a special meal and most everyone was able to attend. This was our first time using the new dinning table with all the leaves and it was long! We quickly realized we had to set up the table at an angle to fit in the space. We had ten at the table and three at the counter which worked out perfectly.
Made several cappuccinos after dinner with many compliments. Dinner together was a very special day it made our house feel like home. We look forward for all our families joining us next year. If you can make the trip we would love to have you. 
The front of the house is looking good after Scherz Nursery completed the landscape work. The little tractor called a Dingo lifted the large Yuccas into place with ease. Then it easily moved the large boulders to complete the landscape. The last of the plants needed will be brought out in May when the weather is warmer.
The little tractor in the photo is called a Dingo by Turo, boy do I want one of those little things! They are powerful even though they are small.
We chose to zero-scape the front using drought tolerant plants which will be the easiest to care for. The top level will have most of the blooming color from salvia's and lantana's. The lower level will have Pride of Barbados, Blue-Sotol, Mexican sage and one tree placed west of the granite marker. 
I will post more photos tomorrow of the big Yuccas and rocks used on both levels.
This afternoon was a first at our house, a first for Daddy to climb up the stairs. Dan was able, with much help from Rita, to climb the stairs and take his first look at our second story. I think his favorite spot was on the balcony smoking his afternoon cigar out of the wind. 
We moved in our home January 21st one month ago. I continue to unpack boxes, organize items and then carry boxes to the attic. I finally rolled up the last of the corrugated floor covering yesterday in the study. We are just about unpacked. 
The garage has been a pile of paper, boxes and funiture for over three weeks. We found a neighbor who was in need of moving boxes which helped in our clean-up. Our trash pick up for the large dumpster is once a week, we really could have used a couple of extra pick-ups to help us quickly with our clean-up.
These are a few of the photos we took of the men unloading the granite marker in our front yard Sunday. The photos make the moving job look simple, however it was a little tougher than it looks. Paul marked the spot and the men set the marker in place. We hope the marker will be transformed into a fountain someday in our landscaping at front of the house.
Paul asked his father for the old McWhorter family cemetary marker which may seem strange, but Paul had a great idea for its use. Paul wanted to use it in our landscaping, possibly as a fountain. The marker used to be in the cemetray in Eldorado. Paul's family replaced it with a smaller marker years ago and since then it has sat out behind the wood pile at Paul's parents house. This past week Paul found a man in Eldorado willing to move the marker. The famly marker now has a permenant home in Christoval, Texas. 
As we were hanging Rita's art work thoroughout the house Paul remembered Rita had a painting of an oriental lady from years ago in her attic which Elizabeth might like for her bedroom. While at Rita's last Sunday she pulled the painting down from the attic for Elizabeth to view. Elizabeth thought it would be perfect for her room and Grammy agreed she could use the painting. In two days Rita had restored the painting, painted the frame black and gold leafed the inside trim of the frame. The oriental lady picture was just beautiful. Rita painted the oriental woman in 1967, a timeless piece yesterday and today.
Since moving in January 21st we have had a few family visitors stop by. Paul's Aunt Patricia came when we called her to come for a visit. She saved the local newspaper from the 21st and gave it to us as a memorial. Patricia also brought many other goodies which we shared later that evening, yummy. Paul asked Patricia to bring their Aunt Maxine and her family to see the house, they reponded right away and drove out last Friday evening. It was a fun evening for all of us.
Recently we received a lovely piece of art work from Paul's cousin in Dallas, Linda McWhorter. Linda designed and stitch a renduring of our home as a house warming gift. She is a very talented artist to design and petit point stitch a picture of our home. As we continue to unpack our many boxes we are trying to find the right place for almost everything. We think we found just the right spot by the front door for Linda's lovely gift. Thank you again Linda. Yes, Home at Last!
Rita helped Elizabeth set up her study desk yesterday. Rita has housed Elizabeth's study desk all this time in her TV room. She has been very gracious to house many of our items this past year. With everyone taking turns carrying the pieces up the stairs Rita and Elizabeth had it put together in no time. Rita has many talents and assembling furniture is one of them.
