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."

the finished product

Chase's cute bed, ready for paint!

We decided to go with a royal navy. Jed LOVED turning the shop into a speckled mess with the sprayer. He did a fantastic job, so glad he is so meticulous.

The bed turned out perfect. Jed set it up in the basement for a few days. I know that he was delaying handing it over to the boy. And for good reason. When we finally started to set it up in Chase's room, the boy started working it over with his little tool set. I guess that we shouldn't have encouraged him to watch the building process.

I had found this cute bedding on clearance almost a year ago. Where you ask, Target of course. It was a super deal. Plus, it matched his room perfectly. We were excited to not have to repaint his room. And he can keep his cute fishies up for a while longer.

the finished product, minus the bed rail we were hesitant to put up

Chase was so excited once it was all put together. He would point and say "bed, nice!"

the happy guy testing things out

Then he started getting a little crazy and had his first 'fall out of bed' incident. We decided that we would have to put up the toddler rail, even though the fall wasn't far. His bed is still cute, but doesn't show off the overall wow factor as much.

The first fall. He kind of made it look like he was doing a trick, not so.

He slept wonderfully in his new big boy bed. The following morning, he was again super excited. He came and got mom and had to show her his new bed. "Mom, bed, wow!"

Bayli was also super excited because she got a new mattress in the process, handing hers down to Chase. "Mom, I slept so comfortably. Why does my bed smell like butter?" Gotta love that new bed smell. But butter, never would have thought that.

Thanks dad for making happy sleepers!

preschool wrap-up

The week before Bayli was supposed to finish preschool, her class had 'When I Grow Up...' Day.
If you haven't talked with her about animals, you wouldn't know that she is "...an animal expert. I know all things about all animals!" So she decided that she wanted to dress up as a Vet. We were only slightly surprised that she didn't pick a dancer, ballerina, fashion designer, mommy, or all of the other obvious girly titles (which she loves as well).
So we went to work putting together our best Vet costume. She was filled with glee.
Her preschool put on a Graduation program at the Magnolia Reception Center. It was nice, BUT, they needed a stage so that we could actually see her in the densely packed room. At least the singing of a bunch of 4/5 year olds was cute.
After the kids sang, they were given graduation caps (so cute! made with rainbow crayon paper). Then each child got to speak into the microphone and say what they wanted to be when they grow up. It was funny to hear a large number of the little boys say "...construction worker." We definitely need some of those, but I am betting they will change their minds when they get a little older.
Then the class of 2010 was presented.

I love fast 30 minute programs!!!

the super excited Graduate (that would only smile if she said "dad stinks!")

Bayli & her wonderful teacher Miss Michelle

Bayli & her very proud Grandmas

Bayli & her very proud daddy


Bayli & her very proud mommy

springing to life

As with every season, we have a wonderful time watching the changes that occur in our yard. This Spring has been no exception.
In addition to the lovely plants that spurt out leaves and new blooms, we have been able to see the growth from the seeds planted in our garden.
We have planned our garden in spurts this year. We planted Romaine Lettuce, Spinach, Onions, and Garlic in late March. These cool loving plants have flourished, especially the Spinach. We have Spinach coming out our ears! If anyone would like some, come on over, it is very tasty. Bayli is often found snacking on it mid-play.
And our Romaine lettuce is also delicious. It is so nice to be able to eat it while at it's tender baby stage.


We have been surprised by a few plants. We love Blue Oat Grass and have multiple plants throughout the yard. It had taken us a while to find it. It is not common in local nurseries. We found our first starts at a small town family nursery in Southern Utah. And have since found a few local starts. Last year it seeded, giving us multiple surprises throughout the yard this spring. The funny thing this year, is that unlike years past, some plants have already shot up their tassels. We usually don't get to enjoy them until later in the summer.
As usual we are anxiously awaiting the arrival of our "late bloomers." The Sumac and Gambel Oak are always one of the last plants to unveil their leaves in our yard. Of course, I always have to wait for my favorite things to arrive-isn't that how it works. Not to mention that I hate waiting for my Iris' to bloom. I should be more patient because they come and go so fast.
Seeing tiny blooms form is always exciting. We know that it will spring the beginning surge of the Honeybees that love to come and visit the Bluebeard and Sage. And the lovely Hummingbird Moths that will feast on the prolifent flowers of the Butterfly Bushes. The Robins and Bayli's that eat the fruits of the Currant bushes-so tiny yet so delicious.

beginning blooms of the Snowball Bushblooms on the Amur Maples
ever so tiny blooms on the Currant Bushes

Seeing the shoots of the Hostas gets me filled with warmth and relaxation. Every year as they mature, they arrive sooner and sooner. I can't wait for their blooms to come this summer. Hopefully we will be able to enjoy them with an adjacent paved area rather than the empty barren dirt that sits like a scar, reminding us of all that we have accomplished and the baby steps away from being completed.
The plant that I believe Jed and I have both been most excited about, is our beautiful Cut-leaf Lilac. It is perfect for our Xeriscaped yard. It has a more desert-like appearance than other varieties, and seems to be hardier in the drier climate. It maintains it's gorgeous green hue throughout the summer, unlike the other Lilacs in our yard that seem to get overheated and dry looking. It bares gorgeous blooms that have a more spindly look.
We have been very tempted to take out our other Lilacs and replace them with these lovely's. Unfortunately it has also proven to be a harder plant to find. It was a happened-upon pick from my dad's greenhouse. He doesn't even remember anything about it when we inquire if he has more. I guess we might have to venture to our favorite little Southern Utah nursery to see if they might have some.