More work on our yard

I'm never going to want to garden again after all this! We spent another weekend of labor in out the back yard. Things are starting to look better. Finally the progress seems more measurable. We've got a couple more weekends of hard work before it becomes  maintenance work rather than complete overhaul work. So here are a couple more pictures (this time I got a few before pics!).

Kindly left by the previous tenants: a pile of rotten wood, a carpet, some buried garbage and lots of loose leaves/yard debris.

Northwest corner Before picture

We're not done yet but we're getting there. We found a ton of bulbs growing back there that we replanted once we cleared the area. We'll see how they turn out. We also planted some leafy shade growing plants (I can't remember their name), which will help cover  the fence damage and we'll plant some more grass later too.

 Here comes the big part!! We took out part of the "useless" fence and it completely changed the whole look of our backyard. It feels bigger (which is a bit overwhelming) but way more open and less dumpy.

Martin Posing for the before picture

Another Ugly before pic

 

 When we began digging over there we discovered the railroad tie went under the fence and made the perfect shape and size for our garden! Martin rototilled the crap out of it and once we sift a bit more and get that weird bush out of the corner (lol) it will be perfect for tomatoes and lettuce and sunflowers...can't wait! Can you even tell it is the same backyard?

We're going to have a yardwork party/bbq pretty soon - we'll need a bit of help with the last few parts. I'll be sending out an invite soon!

Yard work!

We have taken advantage of every minute of sunshine to work out in our yard. There is so much to do but I think it will all come together just fine in the end. I want to start on the inside too but when it is sunny out, what is better than pulling weeds and getting dirty? Even Lily was outside most of the afternoon- helping here and there and playing. We'll make an outdoor girl out of her yet!

Before this section was edged with rock and covered in old bark and weeds. Bleh! Now we just need a little more dirt and some plants and it will be all better!

This garden area was basically used as a yard waste pile- now it is mostly cleared and started a rock creek.

Front Yard

This was a two week project- one weekend we did the gravel and rock wall, the next weekend we laid the sod. Before it was just dirt and weeds.

Now we're just getting settled for another busy week. Martin started overtime last week and it will continue for the next couple months and I've got a bunch of work to do for the girls' school plus lots going on with my job. Kendra and Lily are doing Cheer Class on Mondays this trimester and starting Wednesday they are both going to take a series of after school classes on different countries- learning about different cultures and languages.

I bought my wedding dress last weekend. Well, I ordered it. It won't come in until May.This weekend I got the invitations mostly sorted out (a huge thanks to Briana's dad for making it happen for me!). So I'm feeling productive on that front : )

Doing good in most areas all except the housework which just didn't get done at all really. Meh. I'll get to it eventually.

Caught red handed

...reading the directions....

He's been working so hard making our home beautiful! Love you sweetie : )

Ice Skating

Lily was invited to a birthday party at the local ice rink. She had never been ice skating before and she wasn't sure she wanted to go. She told me she was afraid she'd fall through the ice. I laughed a little then explained there was no water beneath the ice only concrete. She didn't really believe me.

We went anyway and she held onto the wall as I skated beside her and held her hand. After a lap or so she let me hold onto her in front of me and I pushed her around the rink. She was very afraid to fall and cried a bit here and there out of that fear but she mostly got over it. It was a good experience for her- outside her comfort zone but still safe enough. It is hard to know what is too much and how far to push her beyond what she thinks she is capable of. This time I think I got it right.

I need to start taking more pictures around here...I'll post some of our new house soon!

This week

I forgot to post these. Gramps was hilarious with his snowman earmuffs. What a goof!

Martin and I are going to see the Hobbit this weekend- I am so excited. Date night! There is also a *small* wedding show at the Tulalip Casino on Saturday...but do I dare?

So long 2012.

Well, we've had quite the year. More ups and downs than I can really count. I can say one thing though. I am ready to leave 2012 behind and start fresh.

This year we're getting a house.

This year we're getting married.

This year we'll have 8 year olds.

This new year can't come soon enough.

See you on the other side!

What's going to happen for you this year?

Keeping Up

Some pictures of our other adventures. Maybe I'll start writing on here again sometime...sometime.

Zucchini Racing

Zucchini Racing

Carving Pumpkins

Oooh! Spooky!

Lily the Witch

Kendra the Pirate

Lily of the Leaves

The Fairy Circle in the Garden

 

Fall Fun

 

Oh Fall!

 

 

We're still here. Always busy or finding trouble to get into. Last weekend we helped Auntie Briana rake a huge pile of leaves and then jumped in them. What could be more fun?

 

Looking forward to Thanksgiving this week and spending time with family and friends. Thankful for the time we get to spend together.  

 

 

 

Lily's Birthday Party

We celebrated Lily's birthday with her friends at Paint the Town this weekend. I tried to keep it pretty low key with just a couple kids. It went well and turned out to be really fun. I can't wait to pick up the pieces we painted next weekend and see how they turned out. Lily asked for leaf cupcakes so we did a google search and came up with an idea to do chocolate cupcakes with colored fondant in the shape of leaves. While we were shopping I found a cute ceramic owl and had the idea to make paper owls to go on top of the cupcakes too. Lily loved them and I had fun working with the fondant for the first time.

At Paint the Town the girls all got to pick one piece to paint- I think some of the concept went a bit over their heads like the glaze layering etc but each of them worked very diligently to finish and the amount of time we had to paint was just about right- with enough time for cupcakes and presents at the end. Then of course, how could we resist playing in the fountain for a few minutes before we headed home.

Last weekend she had so much fun bouncing on a backyard trampoline that we decided to give Lily a trip to Sky High with a friend as her birthday present. I can't wait for the next adventure!

 

 

Today you are 7

Dear Lily,

Today you are 7. It seems you are on the cusp of something much bigger. You are growing up too fast. Some words that have been used to describe you recently: precocious, smart, sweet, intense and thoughtful.

Your memory astounds me.  I can't believe how much you can remember of things that happened years ago. I am constantly surprised by your attention to detail. You love order and predictability- it makes you feel safe after a year of lots of changes and some really tough stuff.

I never thought I would come to love that gap tooth smile as much as I do. When you laugh you just light up. You make lots of jokes and fall down laughing at them sometimes. Since I bought you a radio to help you sleep at night your love of music has grown. You listen and sing along all the time- just like me. We are always singing buddies in the car. I think your confidence in singing has grown too.

I hope you continue to grow in your self confidence and learn to be comfortable with who you are.I hope you have so much fun being a first grader and making new friends. I hope you always know that you are my baby girl and I love you with my whole heart!!!!!