Aug 23, 2011

I'm UP with That

From the movie Up
Every year in Utah they have a Parade of Homes. It’s really expensive and we never go. And I’m OK with that…most of the time. But this year they had an amazing house that all of us were just dying to see. Our neighbor and his crew had designed and built an awesome replica of the UP house.

UP is a Disney movie that came out a couple of years ago about a guy and his wife. They had many plans that never seemed to work out and eventually the wife dies. So the guy attaches balloons to the top of his house and sails away with it to try to fulfill one of their fondest dreams. The movie is full of vibrant colors in the balloons and in the house itself. Just looking at the pictures, I’m not sure I’d want to live there, but I was sure I wanted to see it in real life. They even licensed the house with Disney.

So the home show ended last Sunday and today I called my neighbor to see if we could tour this cute little house. We headed out there at 8:30 after what I thought were special arrangements to see it. Turns out we would have been OK anyway. There were still dozens of people taking pics and waiting to go in. Our poor neighbor looked like he could use a nap!

The house was very authentic right down to the hose reel near the front porch. They even had furniture custom-made to match the movie. I loved the retro appliances and kitchen fixtures. In the basement they had a smallish family room with a projector playing…what else?… UP! They also had two bedrooms downstairs that were furnished for two kids from the Make-A-Wish foundation, one boy room and one girl room.

The upstairs had huge walk-in closets and a nursery identical to the movie. They even managed to find an oversized tub and you would not believe the shower! I want it in my house for sure. It had water spraying from the ceiling! Even my tall sons could get completely wet in a shower like that.

As we were finishing up, my sweetie noticed that the bookcase was hinged. I suggested that he pull it open. He glanced around and since no one was looking, he swung the doors out. The kids crowded closer. “What’s in it?” they asked. We were expecting maybe a water heater or something. “Balloons!” he exclaimed.

The house was perfect, top to bottom, completely finished and furnished. The Drama Queen would have plunked her money on the counter today (if she had any). She loved the house and honestly, it would have suited her. I know they are still looking for the right buyer. Maybe in ten years…save your money, Drama Queen.










12 comments:

Amanda said...

super cool! totally loved the movie! who knew someone could build a real life replica???

Vicky @ Mess For Less said...

I would love to visit that house. I have heard about it. How cool that you got to check it out!

Thanks for the visit. Following you back!

Vicky @ http://messforless.blogspot.com

Katie said...

very cool!! I am not sure I would want to live there either, but it would be fun to see!

mCat said...

Interesting story about the family for who that house is for.

THe litle boy is dying of cancer and they hope that he will live long enough to enjoy the home.

Ticked I didn't get a chance to get over there and see it

mommeeof10 said...

Sounds like you had more fun than we did today. The dc area is not prepared for earthquakes, even ones far away... People freaked out and all left at once for home, clogging the roads. Maybe traffic will be okay when I go home at 10:30?

Anonymous said...

How neat is that. Very Cool.

Jillybean said...

We didn't make it to the Parade of homes this year, if I had known we could still go see the UP house, we would have gone there.

Autumn @ Autumn All Along said...

That is amazing! My husband and I always thought it would be fun to visit, but haven't. I'm glad you took pictures for us instead ;)

Sara SHOEmaker said...

wow this is AMAZING! I want to see this house in person. So someone really lives there? I would SO live there in a second, I love that movie and it's such a darling house. thanks for your comment!!!



The House of Shoes

Aubrey {All Things Bright and Beautiful} said...

How awesome is that house?! I'm honestly contemplating a visit to UT just to see it! And it's so neat all the detail that they put in to it! You have got to be one busy mama, I don't know how you get it all done!

Lexie Loo, Lily, Liam & Dylan Too said...

Oh, wow, that is really cool!

Emma Frances said...

That's incredible! I heard of this a while back. I wish that I could go. It sounds just so whimsical. :]