‘Snow pair’ slides into Lennar’s Antelope

Just about a half-hour from the Kyle Canyon entrance to Mt. Charleston, transplanted San Diegans Tammy and Doyne Pickett, 2-month-old Deacon and a pug named Mr. Bojangles are settled into what Tammy Pickett describes as a "happy' home."

After renting an apartment in the northwestern valley, and then a house in the southwest over the last three years, the couple began watching the area develop in the northwest around Lennar's Antelope community. They said they liked what they saw. Tammy Pickett teaches third grade at a nearby elementary school, and Doyne Pickett, a certified public accountant, works for a local firm.

Their new neighborhood brings them in proximity to shopping, entertainment and soon to be completed medical facilities. Antelope's community swimming pool and a neighborhood Clark County park are also nearing completion.

The Picketts said they love to go snowboarding in the winter and were thrilled that the neighborhood is only about one mile from the Mt. Charleston highway.

The family chose the Impala floor plan.

"I loved the openness of the Impala because I can be in the kitchen or the dining room and see what the baby is doing," Tammy Pickett said. "It's one all-encompassing living space that keeps Deacon close where I can see and hear him. We also turned the upstairs loft into a baby playroom."

Before baby Deacon arrived, the loft served as their exercise area. "We had matching side-by-side treadmills. We'd walk and talk."

The two-story Impala model features 1,775 square feet with three bedrooms, loft, two baths, powder room and two-car garage.

"Just about every community we looked at in this price range did not have a yard at all. And with a new baby on the way, a yard was a very important element," Tammy Pickett said. "We were so thrilled that at Antelope we would have a yard to enjoy for family time, barbecues and entertaining."

The couple said they enjoy their new neighborhood.

"We can just walk out of the back gate and over to the park," Tammy Pickett said. "It's wonderful. We also walk to the county park a block or two away on Gilcrease. There are horse trails and paths, and just more of the outdoor lifestyle we enjoy."

There are no SID or LID fees, according to the developer. Pricing at Antelope is from the $200,000s.

Upgrades, that are included in the price of the home, are granite countertops, raised- panel oak cabinetry, stainless steel sinks and a coordinated appliance package that includes range, dishwasher, microwave and refrigerator.

Antelope is an Energy Star-certified community. The neighborhood offers four two-story home designs. The Roan offers a great-room design with 1,302 square feet, two bedrooms, loft and 2 1/2 baths.

The Eland floor plan is a split-level design with 1,540 square feet with a great room, three bedrooms, 2 1/2 baths and two-car garage. The master suite is located on the upper floor, with two secondary bedrooms on the lower floor, along with a family room.

The Sable is accented by a recessed entry set at an angle. The home offers 1,578 square feet, three bedrooms and a loft. It also features the additional one-car parking slab. The plan is designed with two master suites, each with a private bath, on the lower and upper story.

To visit, take U.S. Highway 95 north to Durango Dive, turn west to Frontage Road (Oso Blanca), then north to Severance, west to Grand Canyon and right on Grand Canyon. The community is at the corner of Grand Canyon and Gilcrease.

The sales office is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily, except Monday when it closes at 3 p.m. For more information, call 395-9161 or visit lennar.com.