Spanish Colonial Revival House Crashing

So my sister and her family own a most amazing home in the Bixby Knolls historic district of Long Beach CA.  It has not only been featured in the Rejuvenation catalog, but also several magazines and was a featured home in their neighborhood's annual historic home tour.  It also won a prestigious home preservation award this year.  Everything (with the exception of a couple lights) is original, even lots of the furniture!
Probably needless to say, but my sister is quite the historic home know-it-all.  So much so, that she is starting her own design consulting business.  So, if you live in Southern California, own an old home-early 1900s through the 60s and need help either restoring it to a period appropriate design or decorating, she may be your gal. 
Back to the topic, this house.  It's beautiful.  Here is some eye candy for old house lovers.

this is a picture of the cute little rental house that is attached to the property

Sadly, they are trying to sell their home and considering moving closer to their kids' schools (also where my sister works).  But they are quite excited about a possible move to a mid-century modern home-a whole new adventure in decorating and living!

Almost there

Are you tired of reading about our bathroom?  Well, I'm tired of posting about it.  We have a couple more projects down and just a few more to go.

ü  Artwork-check

These little pictures are called "Hilda" prints.  The first time I put them up, I used 3M strips to try and not put holes in the plaster but it was a HUGE fail, all but one picture came crashing down within a day and shattered all over the floor

ü  Latches-check

ü  Plaster-check

ü  Paint the wall-check

To do:

o   Ceiling paint by new plaster

o   Paint & install window/new privacy window glass

o   Fix ceiling electrical box

o   Fan

o   Fix plaster by window

o   Install escutcheon plates under sink

o   Fix light switch by bringing out to make it flush with tile

We're back in business

Wow, I can't believe it has been a month since I have posted.  oops!   Really just haven't been in the writing mood.  Plus, Ben & I went off to LA for a week, cashing in on his last free airline flight (he turned 2 just a week after we returned home) and hoping to cash some vitamin D and blue skies but instead we found rain and gray skies.  None-the-less, we had an awesome time visiting family and friends.

my brother's new pup, Otis

What else?  We have gotten a couple things done around the house (coming soon), we threw Ben a second birthday party. and the following day was Easter-also Steve's brother's birthday

last picture as a one year old

he woke up to a special 2nd birthday surprise

riding the MAX train for the first time for his birthday

welcome to Ben's construction party!  Can you tell his current obsession?

Ben hoarded all of his eggs and wouldn't even put them in his basket

he took the eggs and opened them, stuffing his treats (fruit snacks) in his mouth as he opened them

Steve and I were also able to jet off to NYC for a long weekend to visit our close friends. 

top of the Rock

can you tell that is actually a pig in the park?

9-11 memorial-really sobering, cool experience

the only tree that survived 9-11

Pictures of our house progress coming soon!