Gina’s parents are selling their house. They wanted to avoid the real estate commission, so I was nominated to do all the internet-based private-sale busywork. That’s okay I guess. I suppose I’m a professional point-and-clicker, and watching my inlaws navigate web apps is painful. I can’t subject them to that.

So I took some photos, built a little web page for them, and listed it on 6 or 7 different websites.

Want to live in Nelson?

Home for sale in Nelson: $439,000

After almost ten years in St. Louis, Sarajevo, and Vancouver, Gina and I moved back home to sleepy little Nelson, BC. There’s 10,000 people here. No traffic jams. No smog. No noise. It’s perfect.

We bought a tidy little house, kind of like the one I grew up in, with a huge back yard and about 100 trees. We’ve painted, put down hardwood, and bashed out a few walls. Now we’re getting a soundproof office put in downstairs so the kids can play while I work.

I’ve started playing hockey again, after a 12-year hiatus. I’m still not any good, but I’m having a lot of fun.

Ana learned to ride a bike today. And Sam learned to ride his tricycle last week.

It’s documented on video for posterity’s sake: kids_learn_bikes_lo.wmv

Duet: Sam & Dad sing “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star” (266K MP3)

This is Sam’s first live recording. He decided on one of the classics: Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star.

Venue: Sam’s bed
Date & Time: Wednesday, December 21st, 2005, Bedtime
Lead Vocals: Samuel Alexander McGrath, age 21 months
Backup Vocals: Dad, age 32 years

Ana drew this nice little picture of me. She’s 3-1/2. She even drew the bags under my eyes! What a sweety.

After 6 weeks of advertising my BMW in the Buy & Sell, I put it on craigslist. It sold the next day! And craigslist is free!

The bargaining part didn’t go as well. I had it listed in the Buy & Sell for $6300. When I finally posted it to craigslist, I lowered the price to $4900. And when the first person came to look at it, he asked me what I’d take for it. I said, “Um, I guess $4000.” He said okay.

I don’t think I’d do well as a real estate agent. Negotiating isn’t my strength.

Today Sam uttered his 7th word. He grabbed a candy bar in the supermarket, thrust it towards Gina, and uttered, “Buy.”

Meanwhile, Ana was exhibiting her consumerism in a more sinister manner. Upon getting the groceries to the car, she showed Gina a package of Halls that she had swiped. “See?” she said impishly. Gina marched her back inside, and made her say sorry to the grocery clerk (who was having trouble holding back the laughter.)

DG pointed out to me that every single picture on my blog has someone with their mouth open. This one won’t disappoint. Guess we’re a family of Big Mouths.

Sam has been drooling since he was born. People always ask me if he’s teething. If teething means getting new teeth, I guess he’ll be teething until he’s twelve.