a paved space

Every year we add a pretty large project to the completion of our yard and home. This year the task has been to place pavers to our walk out/dug out area in the backyard. This has actually been a project that has taken multiple preceding projects to get to the end result.

1. remove the dirt from the entire back of the house (this was mostly done when we were building, but Jed had a lot a finite tuning to get it right).
2. place rock retaining walls-2006 (Only a small section was done when we first built. Jed's work looks way better than the excavators, but it did take a VERY long time).
3. plant the hillside and rock walls to prevent erosion-2006/2007 (We cannot count how many Vinca plugs we stuck in that hill).
4. build the deck-2007 (we love it!)
5. plant trees, shrubs, and a bit more ground cover on the hillside-2008 (We enjoyed this year immensely. Chase was coming. We had our basketball court installed. Jed completed the lawn area. The kids enjoyed the addition of the playground Jed built.)
6. 2009 More excavation to the walk out area. The sprinkling system to the hillside was completed. Also, Jed placed a drainage system with a 10 foot deep water runoff container. (The kids loved throwing dirt back in the hole on dad.)
   

You can just imagine our excitement after so many years in getting to the point to have a completed backyard. Placing the pavers is like icing on the cake.

As with all of Jed's projects, it was done with complete meticulousness. He preps and preps and preps. And then he preps more, getting the layout just perfect. It was so fun watching it come together.
Being that I am growing a little person, I was no good for the type of work that was needed. I got to sit back and occasionally tell him where to put the next paver, yeah pretty much the foreman-haha.

In the end, it turned out just as we have imagined over the last few years. We love it! And, as with all projects, you hope that you don't look in the back of your mind to the next addition, but you always do. Nothing is ever completed.

pretty fancy

Chase frequently comes to us with two little hands full of barrettes.
He proclaims, "ON PRETTY!!!" (ie. I want pretty).

For a few moments in time, he transforms from the rambunctious little guy that we know into a still soldier. It is literally the one moment where you can get him to willingly stay in one place and not move a bit.

When the 'prettying' is done, he shouts "FANCY!!!"
He then begins to look for the camera while shouting "cheese!" I think that is what he thinks a camera is called.

iris of my eye

In case you didn't know, I LOVE Iris'. They are definitely one of my top favorites. I guess that I will claim them as my favorite rhizome.
Interesting fact, the Greek translation for Iris is rainbow. I would guess that it is because there is such a variety of colors to pick from.
If I had the space, and the plants didn't have to be split so often, I would want one of each.

This was our plants second spring after being last split and transplanted. The flowers have been abundant. We have loved watching them stretch upward and unveil their beauty.
They have thrived in our yard (minus the yellow that never made it). They have thrived so well, that some plants have nearly doubled in size since last spring. They are due for some splitting later this season. Always a sad thing to take away their perfection and scar them until they fill back in the following year. But, I want them to remain in a clump formation, not spread as they would like. They would surely take over the rest of our plants if we would let them.

If you want to add one of these beauties to your yard, let us know.

shake it dancing queen

Bayli had her year end showcase for dance. It was long, hot, and surprisingly entertaining. Thank goodness the boys were well cared for. Chase got to visit Aunt Sheri. Jed got to play video games on his phone in between her performances, "man that went by faster than I thought!" Well duh, you were completely entertained for the 2 hour event.

Her dance studio had a Disney themed recital. All of the songs were from Disney movies.
She danced to Wish Upon a Star from Pinocchio and I Just Can't Wait to be King from The Lion King. Bayli had been practicing so hard for her 2 dances.

This age is so funny when they start trying to move more gracefully, but don't quite have the strength in their little bodies to hold a position. Leg wobbles and funny angles are what we enjoyed, especially with her first number. It was based more on basic ballet movements.
Her other was more fun and she got to shake it. Which she is pretty talented at doing. She loves to say, "Look at me shake my big back porch!" And no that is not a statement that we taught her, although it wouldn't be surprising if we had. In her defense, she heard it on a movie, specifically The Princess and the Frog.

We love our little dancing star. She gets so excited about being on stage and performing. Even if she forgets what she is doing, or twirls 3 more times than she should have (who wouldn't get caught up in a series of twirls if they looked down and saw a pretty tutu extending out from them). She is learning how to move her body. Although skipping and leaping have been very hard fetes for our little gal. As long as she enjoys herself, we don't mind.

praying for peace the southern way

One morning Bayli told Jed that she had a bad dream the night before.
She then told him(in her southern accent), "so I got down on my knees and said a prayer."
I would like to take this time to thank her wonderful Primary teachers-thanks!
Jed said, "did you feel better after that?"
Bay responded, "No." And abruptly walked away.

She later told me about the bad dream and praying, although I didn't receive the information via her southern impression. (Jed hadn't shared the earlier encounter with me).
When I asked her if it made her feel better, the response I received was much different.
Bay, "Oh, yes!"

Funny girl! We are still perplexed as to what she really felt about the end result.

organic facial

Amazing what a little avocado and blackberries can do for your skin.
Our little guy is wonderful at testing out new products.
He has the silky smooth baby skin to prove it.

heavenly gazing

While looking at Jed's Star Gazing application on his cell phone, Bayli inquired on how it can see where the stars are at.

Jed explained how it worked as best as he could to a five year old.

Bayli excitedly said, "When I grow up I want a phone just like this!"

Jed responded, "When you grow up there will be an even better phone."

Bayli had an intense moment of thought. She then responded, "Yeah, maybe I'll have a phone that I can see Heavenly Father and Jesus with."