Replenish time

After a busy morning (running errands, primary meeting and grocery shopping)

I was tired

when I finally got home around 2.

All I really wanted to do was

plop my butt on the couch

and read.

And so I did!

So glad I did it too!

1. great friends to serve with in primary

2. getting my grocery shopping done (internal struggle today, but it won out in the end)

3. ice cream cone Paul brought me from Mc D's

Deck progress days 4&5

Day 4- Ya think it's big enough? We really got a feel for how big the deck is going to be on day 4. We decided to have them replace the existing floorboards of the old deck since they would need to be done in the next few years anyway. Might as well have them do it! Hey what's a little more money at this point? So excited for summer to come! Unfortunately Spring has just arrived.

The kids were running like crazy on the deck after the guys finished up for the day. Xander learned that it is NOT a good idea to run so fast on the deck (like Mom and dad told him). He fell through the gaps and smashed his chest and has a huge bruise on the inside of his arm. Lesson learned!

Day 5- The guys got a lot done today, but got cut off early due to the rain. So they covered up their saws and worked on cleaning up all the old boards and sawed off pieces. Bummer it is going to rain all day tomorrow! They should be done by the end of the week. These guys are working so hard. We are so grateful!

Those are the old stairs they will be replaced!

1. laundry almost done and mostly put away

2. pushing the limits on my new running route and not dying!

3. house vacummed

Waiting....

Xander decided that he wanted to use his allowance to buy a Lego go cart. Unfortunately they did not have it in stock at Toys r' us so we ordered it online. He was okay the first couple of days, but then the waiting was getting to be too much! I checked the order on Wednesday and it said on its way to final destination. Little did we know that meant from UPS to the USPS. So he waited very IMPATIENTLY on Wednesday for UPS. Which never came...

It finally arrived on Thursday from USPS. Paul and I were holding our breath as the mail lady drove up our driveway...Please let it be there...please....please...

It was! And it only took him 30 minutes to build! He said it was worth the wait.

Easy to say after the fact!

Deck progress day 2 & 3

Day 2-Well the guys have been moving steadily along. They hit tons of water (imagine that in our backyard swamp) so it delayed their progress a bit, but the tubes are in and will dry overnight. They can start framing tomorrow!

Day 3-Wow what a difference a day makes! Day 3 was a huge success! We can really see what it will look like. Paul constantly looks at the guys working and says, "I am so glad that I didn't do it myself!"

With 3 guys working hard for 8 hours each day it makes such a difference!

So instead we did yard work. Anything to stay outside on a 71 degree day in MARCH!

The kids played in the mud, stream and on the rocks- 3 sets of clothes today!

and Lola chewed on sticks and happily enjoyed another beautiful day outside!

Deck progress day 1

Can I tell you how much I LOVE progress? Finally now that the nice weather is here we have been making steps towards progress and today it is STARTING!! After getting several quotes for a chain link fence and the deck we decided to have the deck built and do an invisible fence ourselves. The chain link was just too expensive for the area that we wanted covered. Paul was originally going to do the deck himself but after much consideration we decided to have it done. And today's the day they are starting! Woo hoo for progress! I can't wait until it is done- which should be by the end of next week! We are adding an additional 20 feet one way and 30 feet another. It is going to be HUGEEEEEEEE! It will be the entire length of the pool and extend wrap around the left end. YAY!! I seriously can't wait until summer, but for now I am more than content with progress!

Here are the current pictures of how it looks.

The deck will run the entire length of the house and connect with the pool.

This side of the pool will have the deck wrapped around.

This side which faces the driveway will have a bit of the deck wrapped around the corner.

1. PROGRESS

2. Guys who build decks

3. Beautiful weather

Happy Birthday Grandma Sandy

This weekend my mom, Grandma Sandy, came to stay and play. It was so nice to have her here for 3 days. Yesterday my sister and her boys came up so that we all could celebrate Grandma's 65th birthday. We had a great time visiting, eating lots of cake and hanging out together.

Look at the kids in the background blowing the candles from a far.

We all got a good giggle at Grandma putting the cake on the plate upside down. It will be awhile before we let her forget this "senior moment!"

Happy birthday Mom! Here's to many more great years ahead! We love you!

1. family

2. a wonderful mom

3. a fun weekend

A new lunch lady!

While HAPPILY doing yard work on Saturday Alyssa comes out midway and asks what is for lunch. I said maybe you could do it? And this is the delicious results!

1. In a few months yard work won't be so much fun, but as of now it is so nice to be outside in the semi warmth.

2. a helpful daughter and a son who shares his oreos

3. snow melting

4. double stuffed oreos with a pretzel in the middle - yum!