So much to look forward to!

If you didn't already know, Nate and I bought a house during our trip back to the States. The house is in Groveland. Here's a description off a realtor listing:

Warm & inviting 3 bd., 2 ba, ranch w/quiet secluded resort like living w/fishing, boating, swimming, beach, club house & volleyball. Completely remodeled w/oak floors/ceramic tile in '09. Newer kitchen in '04 w/stainless appliances & AristoKraft cabinets. Bathrooms new as of '09. Newly painted in '09. Huge master suite w/walk-in closet. Woodburning FP in LR & LL, Pella front door new in '09. Andersen windows, CA new in '00, Hi-Eff. furnace in '89, intercom music system, large open bsmt. is ready to complete w/4th BR & 3rd BA. Rear yard backs up to 6 acre park. Near Morton, Pekin & E.P.

I'm excited. Very excited. I feel that I'm ready to enter a new more "permanent" way of life. I've been moving around every few years ever since I entered college, and have seriously enjoyed the fun that comes with being transient. I don't know if it's the prospect of turning 30, or just that I have a kid now (and my first gray hairs, sigh), but I've been feeling more and more the need to settle down.

So here goes our first attempt at home ownership. The mortgage hanging over our heads doesn't feel so pretty, but the thought of putting down equity instead of a rent payment that just floats away is nice.

And plus, Elena is going to be around her aunts and uncles. And I mean, who wouldn't want to be around people who make her look like this?


Or cousins that dance like this?