So first of all, I am loving how so many of you have told me you are enjoying my photo-tour of our home. I don't know if it's because it's just a pretty cool house, if it's fun to read about life in Denmark, or if you just miss our family so much (cause, i know you do!!!)... or a combo of all the above, perhaps? Anyway. I love it. Thanks for reading... (and commenting!) I'll try to keep it interesting as we keep moving on with this little tour! :)

The downstairs floor plan is very wide open. All the rooms blend together, but still have a clear space of their own. The openness is great for playtime. We've built a killer train track on this living room floor, and I can be anywhere and keep an eye on the kids while they are at the dining room table. 

I was so excited to finally get some art and photos on the wall. The ultra-whiteness is very common here in Scandanavia, but a little color on the wall is essential! I still need to get some photos printed for the frames... but the beautification process has at least begun.

Something very european is that no lamps come with the house. We didn't think this was going to be a big deal. You know, get a few lamps at ikea, done. BUT... turns out the walls & ceiling of this place are all CONCRETE. Really, really, really hard concrete.

We had a simple drill which is not the right tool for the job. I borrowed one neighbors hammer drill with concrete bits and STILL could NOT make much progress with these walls. Finally (after hearing through the walls all the struggles we were having with the drill) our other neighbor offered to help me with his SUPER professional drill. He's actually a carpenter by profession, so pretty much took over and hung out lights and my artwork & photos more carefully and precisely than I would have done myself. (I mean, he actually used a level. and measured! so unlike me!! ha.) I know who i'm calling next time...

The stairs are really fun. They spiral up and get really skinny at the central point. Katelyn has found that she can quickly climb the stairs if she takes them on the inside. But... they are also very slippery, and we have all fallen down them and busted our bums more than once. (ouch!)

Below the stairs (and right next to the dining room) is a small little half-bath. Colin thinks it is hilarious that you are under the stairs - especially when someone is walking on them and he's in the bathroom hearing a THUMP, THUMP, THUMP. 

The floor throughout the home are all wood (tile in kitchen & bath) - and I love it. We debated getting a rug or something, but honestly... I don't own a vacuum and I don't need one now. I just use this microfiber broom and mop and have been able to keep the floors amazingly clean. (and I realize I am talking a lot about how i clean, but remember... ours kids have CF and clean is crucial!) I have never been good at keeping things clean. I literally despise vacuuming and would put it off for weeks, which is disgusting. Plus, both DJ & I are allergic to dust - so no carpet is better for our allergies too. Not having carpet at ALL is amazing. A broom I can handle.

It can be a little cold though on the floors - especially in the mornings, and because we have huge windows and no curtains (yet!) to help with insulation. But the floors downstairs are heated, and I am sure that's helping keep the comfort level maintained. 

The living room is simple. We don't have much furniture, because we didn't ship a couch over from the states (sold it!), and we haven't bought the one we want yet. We just have this tiny little one to get by until we make the big purchase. We also don't have a tv (yet). I am totally ok with that, but DJ still wants one eventually. 

For anyone thinking "how could they possibly live without tv", don't worry. We watch everything on my laptop. And, we have worked out access to netflix, so we're still watching american television too.

The door to the backyard blends as one of the window panels. You can see it in the first photo up top (on the right). Our backyard is small and framed by some tiny bushes. And right behind our house is the pedestrian/bike path that we take to the city center (with the stores) and the train station. Behind the path is a row of trees and a large pond. Which means we have peace & quiet. And it's a beautiful view. To be honest, the view is what convinced me that I could like living here vs searching for a place in the city. And being able to take the kids outside and let them run around freely without fear of being hit or getting lost? That's what sealed the deal.