Introducing........

"The Lodge"

For the last year or so (longer?), I've been secretly scoping out houses for sale and areas to move to. It had become pretty clear that we were both completely done living in our rental home. We were definitely ready to buy again and be in a house that was bigger and was OURS! We planned on buying sometime next year, probably in the spring or so. Well, one day while driving around, I saw this neighborhood that was in a hilly part of the city and was on the way to Kevin's work. It was only about 5-7 mins closer to work, but the location was very convenient. Also, since Indiana is a very flat state, hilly areas are extremely rare. I'm pretty sure that area is about the highest part of the city (and it's not even that high). Anyway, driving into the neighborhood, you drive up this hill with woods on both sides and it sort of feels like you are driving up to a cabin or something. At the top of one of the cul de sacs, was this gem for sale. I scoped it out online and decided on a whim to go see it. We both fell in love with it. The best part is, it was at the low end of our budget. Totally affordable!! Actually, it was less than our first home in Florida! The price had dropped almost $50,000 and an open house was scheduled for that weekend. We really had a feeling we needed to jump on it. So, with no plan, we put in an offer and it was accepted. We quickly found a mortgage person and got preapproved. It was a bit nerve wracking doing everything so quickly, but it just felt right. Plus, the morning we put in an offer, our lawn mower broke. We went to the house one last time and realized there was no lawn!! It was a sign, lol!! 

We moved in the last weekend in September, but had a week or so to slowly move everything from our old house. We finally said goodbye to Miami Club Drive the end of the first week of October. I don't miss that house. We had some amazing memories there, it's the only house my kids remember, and my daughter was born in the upstairs bedroom. Even still, I was very happy to leave that house!

Ok, enough back story. Here's a tour of the house!

Stats: 

*5 bedrooms

                         *4 bathrooms (2 half, 2 full)

                                                                *about 4300 sq ft. (3000 sq ft upper, 1300 basement)

It sits a bit higher than the neighbors and has quite a bit of privacy behind the island out front. The island is shared by the cul de sac residents. Everyone sort of takes turns caring for it. There are flowers, benches, and a vegetable garden. Looking forward to planting some fruits and veggies next spring!

Love this heavy, wooden door! Also a pretty rose bush on the right side.

The entryway. There are big coat closets on both sides of door and a half bath on the left. Forward is family room, right is living room and dining room. 

I'm sort of obsessed with this wood floor. It's so rustic looking. It has these old nails in it. I wish there was more of it in the house!

Here's a pic of the entryway before we moved in. The bathroom has already been updated and the wallpaper removed.

Here's the formal living room. It's still empty : ) We are eventually getting a new sofa set and new pictures and decorations and such. (sorry, I couldn't resize the pic)

The dining room. 

The family room. This room is also quite empty as we are getting a new sectional soon. (All our furniture went down to the basement) That's a double sided fireplace that looks through to the office/den.

There's a great, big window with a bench looking out to the back.

We mounted the TV into the brick and put all our movies in the built in bookshelves in the corner.

I love the kitchen. There is so much cabinet space! The pics can't even fit all of them in! There are 2 ovens and (finally) a gas range. The range came with a giant iron skillet and grill top for grilling over the stove. We put a desk chair over in the desk area on the right and table in the open space.

The sliding door goes out to the deck. 

The hallway there leads to the laundry room, garage, guest bedroom, bathroom and coat closet.

This may be about my favorite room in the house. On the other side of the double fireplace in the family room is this office. We have a big desk that has been begging for a nice, wooden office to call home. Complete with skylight, built-in bookcases and cabinets, and fireplace, it's pretty awesome. The window looks out down the hill and has a nice view.

The master bedroom is huge as well. I love the view!! It looks out to the back and has nice, big windows. There is also a giant, walk-in cedar closet and another walk-in closet in the bathroom area. I don't love the master bathroom. It has the necessities, but is pretty outdated. There are double sinks, linen and walk-in closets, a tiny, tiny shower, toilet, and 80's whirlpool tub.

Upstairs, there are 3 more bedrooms with the master, as well as a full bath for the kids. There is one bedroom downstairs that we are using as a guest room. 

Finally, a non-basement laundry room!! It walks out to the jacuzzi area. It has lots of cabinet space and drying hooks. The iron comes out of the door on the right and there are shelves and hooks next to it where the pic cuts off. 

The basement is the size of a small house. It's quite outdated with the drop ceiling and wood paneling (unlike the nice, real wood upstairs). Still, there are so many possibilities! There are a bunch (6?) big closets and two built in work benches. Someday in the future, we plan on putting another bedroom and bathroom down there, as well as a drum room for Kev and a multipurpose room.

The basement walks out to a patio on the side of the house. Behind the brick (not pictured above) is the utility room. It has lots of shelves, built in utility table and the water heater, ac, heat, etc.

Definitely what sealed the deal for us was the yard. The neighborhood is surrounded by undeveloped forrest. There are private walking trails for the residents that go through the woods. It comes complete with deer, squirrels, raccoons, and wild turkeys. There is a big wrap around deck that overlooks the neighbors on the side and woods in the back. There is also a nice jacuzzi on the left there : )

If you go straight back, it leads to a walking trail.

An old hunting platform?

Here is the trail. It's so lovely!!

Walking to the trail.

Here's what our yard has looked like lately. So many leaves!! Good thing we have a good leaf blower!

I don't think I will ever get tired of looking out into the woods through all our big windows or relaxing in the spa after putting the kids to bed.

The neighborhood is private and part of an association. There are 2 pools and kiddie pools, walking trails, parks, and a community garden.

 We are loving this house!!