Starting the Backyard!

We have dedicated this Spring and Summer to finishing our backyard. It is an x-large piece of slanty yard which just so happens to need a lot of TLC!

We knew what needed to be done first, excavation and a retaining wall. After several bids, we were able to pick a company to go with. There was just one problem. It was now the beginning of April and they were more than six weeks out (thanks to the help of Mother Nature!) Yikes, my dream backyard wouldn't take shape until the end of May!?!

Then last Thursday we got a call. They had a cancellation and asked if they could start work that day. We said of course! Which was good because they were already sitting in our drive way!

They waisted no time getting started.

We had to leave for a couple of hours and when we returned we found this,


A huge mountain of dirt, which the kids immediately started to climb on!

In those few hours, the digging was done and all the rocks had been delivered. We were so surprised.

They returned the next day to build the rock wall. We watched them work all day long! It was so fascinating watching them pick up each rock and strategically set it in its place. It was also so amazing that it was coming along so quickly!

It took a total of 11 hours to finish the project.

Here is what it looks like today (yes, that is snow you see on the ground! So sad.)

We have so much work left to do but I am so glad that the biggest part is all done and about 5 weeks earlier than we thought!

Great 8.....

On Saturday, the 23rd my oldest child turned 8 years old. What a fun 8 years it has been!

I will admit, the older he gets, the more I miss the years that have gone! I love that with age kids become more self sufficient and they are capable of doing a whole lot more. But, I miss all the cuteness and innocence that little toddlers have. I don't know if I am ready for the older kid stuff!

Connor was a great baby, probably my easiest as far as temperment goes. He loved everyone, ate great (once he figured things out,) he was happy, and was a great sleeper.

(I had to include a picture of Connor and his helmet! What a fun few months this was!)

Things pretty much stayed the same as he grew from a baby into a toddler. One of my most favorite things was when he started to talk, he called Kelly Daddyn. I remember being so sad when it changed to daddy! He had a favorite blanket that he called "bootie." He had two favorite stuffed animals that he carried everywhere, Mr. Dog and Whisikers.

Another thing that I loved (and still love) is that Connor could meet a friend wherever we went. The playground, nursery, the splash park. It didn't matter. He could always find someone to play with.

He is such a joy in our life and I am thankful for him and all the happiness he has brought to us. I just hope the next 8 years are as pleasant!

1 Year Later.....

Today is March 28, 2011. That can only mean one thing. Jace is 1 today!

I have to say that the last year went by so fast! I know I say that with every child, but seriously, Jace's first year was the quickest ever!

It is hard to believe that exactly one year ago today, I was getting ready to deliver this beautiful baby boy!

Little did I know that he was going to be a little ball of fire!

Before I delivered, we talked about how he probably wouldn't have red hair like his sister. But I remember Kelly coming in after they bathed him and he announced "he definitely has red hair!" We couldn't believe it. Two redheads!

As a newborn, Jace was more than pleasant. He was my best eater and my best sleeper. That all changed as soon as he got teeth and learned to be mobile!

(Doesn't this picture just make you long for summer?!)

Just like his older siblings, Jace loves to be tickled and tossed around by Daddy!

He also likes to torment the cat!

There is never a shortage of messes wherever Jace has been!

He is our first of four children who can empty all the drawers and cupboards in the blink of an eye! (no kidding at all!)

Our little one year old can say "Ma-Ma," "Da-Da," "Go," and "Down." It is exciting to see him start talking and becoming a little person!

Yesterday we celebrated his first birthday. Always fun to watch them dive into their first birthday cake!

Happy Birthday Jacey Boy, Jace-a-bud, Monkey, and Little Monster!

We love you!

Carson Turns 6!

Carson turns 6 today! Time sure flies when you are having fun.

Here some of my favorite pictures of Carson. It was hard to pick just a few out of the thousands on my computer. I tried to pick the ones that show off his personality!

Carson was born in Phoenix Arizona on March 25, 2005.

We were so excited to have another sweet little boy in the family!

Carson was a happy baby and his smiles and grins were always this big!

He quickly learned that playing with daddy was something he enjoyed!


He also learned quickly which team the family cheered for!




Carson loves to swim and because we lived in Phoenix for the first 5 years of his life, he got to spend lots of time in the pool. He was jumping in and swimming by age 2!

Another perk to living in Phoenix was the quick drive to Disneyland! He loved the times we got to go there. Carson wasn't afraid to try any of the rides. Some of his favorites are Tower of Terror, Splash Mountain, Space Mountain, and Soarin' Over California.

Carson has always been adventurous and one thing I love about him is that he isn't afraid to try anything (including jumping off the rocks of our friends pool!)

Or climbing to the top of the jungle gym!

He has also been known to fall asleep anywhere, anytime, or anyhow! Yes, he fell asleep like this one night!

Happy Birthday to a wonderful, happy, friendly, exciting, adventure seeking, and fun loving kid!

We love you Cars!