Summer Happenings

This post is pretty much dedicated to two things - our kids and work. After all, that's what our summer consisted of - kids, home for the summer. Of course I fit juuuust a bit of work in here and there (with the tour of homes and preparing for two new communities)....Not too much reading, at least to start with, but lots of cute pics!

Throughout the summer, Landon worked on learning some of the important things in life:

Such as how to enhance one's mind by reading...

How to feed himself... (What - you don't like my new hat?!)

and again... (note the noodle on the noggin!)

How to talk on the phone...
(eventhough phones no longer look like this)

and how to tell us he's ready for bed...



In mid-August Amanda and the girls made the trek over the mountain and through the woods to grandma Celinda's house in Dallas, OR. They went for one of Amanda's friend's baby shower. While in Salem, they made a few stops...the Carousel and The Gilbert's House Children's museum. The following pictures were taken there:

Landon: "I know I'm cute! Where my shoe?"

The girls: "Posing pretty"

Possibly the biggest event of the summer after moving into our new home, was Landon's 1st Birthday! And, following Sister-in-law Kerry's lead on her and Marc's blog, I too can post a video:

Not to be out done, here is a second:

And it wouldn't be complete without the classic cake pic!

I think he likes cake!


Summer was wrapping up in September and the girls were once again off to school. Here is a first day pic of each...so grown up!



Lexy starting 2nd grade.



Kendra starting Kindergarten.


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Changing gears...work was as busy as usual.


In late July, we participated in the annual Central Oregon Builders Association (COBA) Tour of Homes. We had 7 homes on the tour for '07 out of the 80+ total on the tour. Six of the homes were designed in house by us, the CAD team.


Four of the homes came away with a total of 11 awards - tied at the top for most awards by a home builder! (several different price categories, so some awards are the same) Of the 4 homes that won awards, one was just yards away from Mom and Dad's house in our La Pine community, Crescent creek, and just happens to be the same floor plan - evidence that they know how to pick a house! Simple single story living at its best, the Trenton received an award for "Best Value". It also took "Best Master Suite" so, here's to you Mom and Dad - you're livin' "The High Life".

(I apologize...I couldn't help myself!)


Two of the award winning tour homes were actually 1st time builds...something that is not uncommon for the tour because we strive to live on the cutting edge of design and will not settle for anything less than perfection. But, I have come to realize that perfection is a relative term during my career. As time changes so do opinions and outlooks, not only on life, but in housing design as well....okay, enough philosophizing -


The Westmont (a tribute to Marc and Kerry's alma mater of course!) was actually a spin-off on the Trenton. We wanted to acheive a similar layout, but on a larger scale (almost 650 SF larger). A few of the changes include an increased amount and more centrally located outdoor living area, a separate hall for the Master Suite and secondary bedrooms, a third bathroom downstairs, a small hobby area at the back of the garage, and a bonus room above the garage via an awesome stairway (my favorite feature). It was located out in Prineville and also won Best Value and Best Master Suite awards...I was happy, and not to sound greedy but I was hoping for Best Design on it.

The other 1st time build was the Riviera. Lets just say it pretty much stole the show. When I was mentioning cutting edge design, this more than fits the bill - it is a very unique plan and we took some large risks changing up the typical Pahlisch product on this one. Take a look at the floor plan by clicking on the link and you'll see it for yourself. We were rewarded for our effots with 5 awards - Best value, Best Master Suite, Best Front Facade, and my two favorites, Best Interior Design and Best of Show!

All in all, the Tour was once again a success. I enjoyed, as I always do, taking a turn on the "front lines" and hearing 1st hand the many compliments from the public regarding the commitment Pahlisch Homes has to build the best homes out there. It is also nice to see that people recognize that Pahlisch is not only interested in taking care of the Pahlisch neighborhoods but the entire community as well through their many donations and contributions every year.

The second main attraction as one might say, is that of Pahlisch starting two new communities here in Central Oregon. The Bridges at Shadow Glen, located here in Bend just south of 15th and Reed Market, will be our largest to date here. Not to mention that it offers the best amenities! Construction has started just recently and it will have three permanent model homes. One of which, the Logan, is a beast of a house! I had some fun drawing this one up.

The other new community is Saddlestone, located in Sisters, OR. This is an exciting project as well because it is our 1st in Sisters. The model home currently being built is the Carson plan, which as you may know, is our house! Two decently sized plan changes that I did on our home were added to the standard plan because they received good reviews from fellow employees that have walked ours.

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Lastly and most importantly, but I'm sure most of you already know, Amanda has taken a part-time paid position on the church staff as Preschool Coordinator. Her job includes coordinating the Saturday night/Sunday morning (2 sessions) preschool classes - curriculum, supplies, volunteer teachers and helpers, etc. She gets paid for 10 hours a wk, anything above and beyond (which is weekly) is volunteer work. She enjoys it and I know the kids at church enjoy her because they are always wanting to say hi to Ms. Amanda in the hallways. All of this in addition to Directing the Cubbies program for Awanas, being a mom to our three kids and keeping me fed and happy - what a woman (although I get in trouble if I call her that). I think she needs a sticker...

Better yet, here she is below!


I love you! :-)

Thus completes Part 2!


- Matt

Fall is upon us!

This brings us to present day... a time of harvest - seasons changing. We are anticipating a snowy winter. Friday evening, Oct. 19th, we received our first sign. When we awoke on Saturday morning a bright sheet of snow blanketed the ground. It was gone by midday, but was enjoyed my most of our family, except Amanda. That same day, we partaked in a much-needed family outing... to Central Oregon Pumpkin Co.

For those that don't know, the Central Oregon Pumpkin Co. is a popular attraction for families w/ children. It is located in Terrebonne, OR, just north of Redmond, near the base of Smith Rock (see below)

Its widely known as being the perfect training grounds for rock climbers. (Side note: Near Smith Rock is what I consider the ideal location to build a house...view this link and you will see why - http://www.ranchatthecanyons.com/default.aspx. I would recommend browsing through if you have some time.)
We had a wonderful time at the pumpkin patch. Amanda and the kids took a magical ride on the "Black Pearl"


Alexis even walked the plank!

We also picked out 3 pumpkins that were to our liking...

Okay, okay, we didn't buy THOSE pumpkins...
Here are the real ones - and Frank, our scarecrow (his head fell off in the move but the surgery went real well as you can see).
The smallest pumpkin in Frank's lap is Landon's. He told me that he wants me to paint black stripes on it like a basketball...I swear! Lexy's is the scary one (too scary according to mommy), Kendra's is the yellow-orange one..."Winky" as I call her, and Amanda's is the one to the left. Landon really wanted this one but we thought it best to let him pick one more his size that he could hold the rest of the afternoon.

Mansion of a Side Job! (Pun intended)

Last year (and year before) I spent a good amount of time designing a home for a client here in Bend. It took over a year for them to complete their home and they finally moved in a week or two after we moved back in June. I finally got the opportunity to stop by and view the spectacular finished product. I was quite pleased to discover they hardly changed a thing because they were so happy with the design. I wanted to share some of the pictures with you all:

Alan Jackson's version of "From a Distance" fits best I think. Residence is on the left; shop w/ living quarters above is on the right.


A closer look at the residence - the short cement wall in the front will eventually enclose the courtyard.


A view from inside the home looking back at the entry shows off the enormous vaults and rough-sawn stained beams.


An overall view of the great room w/ wood-burning fireplace.



The grand kitchen (Amanda's favorite part of the house. The cabinetry through out the home was very impressive and the slab granite counters w/ polished rough edge were stunning.



A closer look into the kitchen.



The inviting dining area facing the mountains to the west.



Quite the master bath!


Custom office...I think I could get some work done in there (maybe).


Lastly, I had to throw this one in...nothing special, just the stairs leading up to the recreation room above the garage, but note Landon - he had to take advantage of the camera!

All-in-all, it was a great experience designing this place. Believe it or not, the client is but a carpet-layer and his wife doesn't work... this is their third design-build that they have completed, taking advantage of the Central Oregon real estate market. Just another example of the great American Dream!