Our First Weekends at The Lodge

And just like that, The Lodge is done and we’ve begun splitting our time there. It felt like it took forever and ever to get to this point and now that it’s here, time is moving at warp speed. We’re getting into a new rhythm here in our little lives and we finally feel like things are settling in.

Since we moved into The Lodge we’ve spent most weekends out there. We’re getting into a groove with timing the drive and it’s going really well. Everything is living up to our dreams. We are having a blast and it has been extra special to see this experience through Ben. He loves his “Mountain House” and has really gotten the concept that we are sharing our time between two houses now.

The house itself is all but done – only a few finishing touches remain at this point. We’re burned out on pulling together the little details so that’s going to be a slower process.

Ben has always loved being outside and The Lodge has only exacerbated that. He’ll wake up, put his slippers on and ask to go outside! Typically it’s been around 18-20 degrees when he rises for the day and he could stay out there all morning if we let him.

Similarly, Jackson is in his own version of paradise. We do let him stay outside all day and he does! He’ll patiently wait for someone to step out onto the deck to throw his ball for him then repeat that all day long. Jackson is in his element at The Lodge. He’s so good off-leash, too, thankfully.

Ben loves to be pulled in his little purple sled up and down our lengthy driveway with Jackson chasing after. He has taken a page out of Papa’s book and is the official shoveler of The Lodge, too. Ben has made himself right at home.

We’re all love, love, loving the extra cross country skiing we’ve been doing. Alex and I found great enjoyment out of Nordic skiing when I was pregnant with Ben. Since then it has continued to bring us more and more joy each year. I LOVE strapping a baby to my back or pulling the kids in the trailer. I’m not sure why but I take so much pleasure in that. I suppose that’s my inner adventure mama side coming out.

Despite being a bit burned out, the house has really come together. We’re working on framing some art that we’ve found and we’re on the hunt for some lamps. Thrilling, huh? Last weekend we got a TV for the basement and we finally got a toaster {hurrah!}. Other than the final touches and a railing for the deck {happening now!!!!} we’re almost there!

One of my favorite spaces is our entryway. I love the rustic details, the storage and the fun light fixtures. It is so lovely to walk into this room.

Another favorite room is our master bedroom. The bathroom, attached powder room and closet are nice, but the bedroom itself feels like a little retreat. I love it. I love how pulled together it feels, even though it’s not done yet, and I love how calming it is.

The bunk room only has beds in it at this point – it’s a space I really love {though, dang, making all four of these bunk beds took me almost an hour!} and am so, so very excited to see the kids grow up here. We got low-to-the ground sets of bunk beds so they would fit under the window. I didn’t even realize how perfect that would be for toddlers. Eventually we’ll move Ben and Hannah into the bunk room; for now, they’re sharing one of the bedrooms on the main floor.

So far, all of our hopes and dreams of The Lodge are coming true and are even better than we could have imagined. It brings us so much joy to sit on the steps of the deck and watch our boy run around outside, have an open layout on the main floor so when I make breakfast I can watch what everyone else is up to, and my goodness, the beauty surrounding us. I often find myself speechless and just stop and stare at the snow covered trees, the bluff in the distance and, gosh, the mountains. Right out our doorstep.