Our Garden!

We have this empty garden space that has been a thorn in my side. Last year we put a shed on part of it, but the other half is still empty. The weeds grow wild and rampant, no matter how much ground kill is used, so this year we decided to actually use the provided space and try our hand at gardening. We planted pumpkins, many, many pumpkins, to test the ground for future use. Depending on the outcome, you all may have pumpkins for the fall season :)Despite the hard work, Alec and Chloe stuck with me through the whole process and Alec even commented how much fun he was having! After we were done, we ate lunch outside to enjoy our newly planted garden. Have I recently mentioned how much I love being "Just Mom"?

Another weekend at the resort!

We were able to get back to the resort, my parents, this weekend. We love having a place to get away for the weekend, not to mention that the price is right! We had plans to go to the Sidewalk Chalk Festival at The Gateway with Eric's family on Saturday and then my Grandma's 80th birthday party/Father's Day was Sunday at my parents so we decided to make a weekend out of it. The chalk festival was tons of fun. The kids got painted, sprayed and tattooed. The chalk art was amazing.

On Sunday the kids surprised Eric with a candy dish and heart stand that they made for him. We molded salt dough and then baked it to harden it. They kids then painted it and put pictures and hand prints on it. He absolutely loved the gift and all the kids' hard work was greatly appraised. We made Eric and my dad a fabulous breakfast and then spent the afternoon in the pool. Chloe was so tuckered out that she fell asleep on the patio. The party later that night was a lot of fun! The kids love to get together with all their cousins and it is so fun to watch them all play together! Thanks for another great weekend Banana and Papa!

She's 4!

In some ways it's hard to believe that she is already 4, in others it's hard to believe that she isn't 30. Chloe is curious and adventurous, two things which keep slowing down impossible for her. She is my shadow and never more than 3 steps behind me. She loves to help out and even though helping out isn't always the easiest thing for me to have her do, I think I would miss it if she backed up a few steps. She has a smile that lights up the whole room and a laugh that is more than contagious. Chloe loves to sing and dance and play games and watch movies. Her favorite Disney Princess is Ariel. She asks a million questions and wants them answered immediately. Immediate is essential for Chloe. She has one speed and it's turbo. I like to call her Taz. She is also known as The Princess Monster. It is not uncommon for Chloe to be dressed up in her princess clothes, wrestling with her dad or her brother, armed with a tiara and necklace in one hand and a gun and a truck in the other. I love how well rounded she is and can't wait to find out where all her passion for life and living takes her. I am just glad to be along for the ride, even if it never goes slower than 100 miles an hour. Today is also a special day because Chloe was born on the same day as her great-grandma, Esther Barrett (my grandma), who is celebrating her 80th birthday today. They also share the day with Anna Maria Zang, who is my grandma's grandmother. I too was born on my great-grandmother's, Zella Barrett, birthday, but it is through my grandpa's line. Still, it is a neat legacy for Chloe to have. I love you Chloe! Happy Birthday :)

Oh NNOOOOO!

NEED I SAY MORE??? SHE IS ONLY 8 MONTHS OLD....don't mind the drooling and runny nose, she is also cutting teeth.

Reason for lack of blogging..

Over the past few weeks, whenever it is good weather, I have been working on this...

I should have taken before pictures, but let me tell you it was a true labor of love. By the time I cleaned, sanded, repaired and then applied two coats of paint, along with keeping up with the kids, the husband and the house....well let's just say, "HOORAY IT'S DONE!!" This has been something that I have wanted to get done since we moved in. It was one of the first things on my list when I quit working. I really wanted to get it done before Alec was out of school so we could just play all summer. I almost made it, I finished Tuesday and Monday was his first day of summer vacation. I guess I can let it slide :) After several days of hard work it is nice to be able to just sit back and enjoy it. Eric has decided that he needs a hammock for Father's Day to put on the deck. And he deserves one after completing his project...

There used to be 3 trees in our mow strip. Last winter we lost the biggest one in a bad wind storm. It blew over leaving about 1 foot of the stump. It was one of the end trees and the one in the middle was barely surviving so we opted to take out the three and replace them with two. Eric cut down the remaining two trees and removed all three stumps. He only had sprinkler issues with one of the root systems, if you ask him he will tell you that one was enough for him, and then replaced them with these two new beautifully landscaped trees! They look great. I just keeping looking out front and back and can hardly believe that it is all finally done. This is going to be one great summer!

You know you are a dedicated parent when...

Today was Alec's dance festival. I knew about it a few weeks ago because of a note that was sent home, but Alec didn't actually mention it until a couple of nights ago. His acknowledgement went something like this. "...Um....I haven't exactly told you about this but um....we are going to have a um..dance festival on Thursday." I didn't tell him that his hesitancy was moot, I was going no matter what, but I was glad he kinda invited me. Anyway, it was at 10:00 this morning behind the school. The weather had predicted a 30% chance of rain for the Wasatch Front, which does not usually hit us so I was not too worried. I was however glad that I had two car blankets and a sit n' stand stroller with a very large hood. The girls stayed really dry and warm, I however was drenched. Alec's class was the very last of 6, it was only the third grade...6 third grade classes... whoa, to perform and the 3rd class to have to perform in the pouring rain. They did a great job anyway! I only got a couple really bad still pictures because manning a still and video camera and trying to keep the girls dry in the rain proved to be a little too tricky. We made a video though and put it to Alec's favorite song, Enjoy!!

Tagged

Jenna tagged me a few days ago and I am finally getting around to it. It was much easier than the 100 things about me, but I was held up on the tag 4. I am not well known in the blogging world and don't have many blogging friends. Sorry to those named but I will enjoy reading about you :)
A- Attached or single: Attached.
B- Best Friend: Eric.
C-Cake or Pie: Cake, chocolate, chocolate or white, white..never mixed!
D-Day: Friday.
E- Essential Item: Diet Dr Pepper.
F-Favorite Color: Green, always has been, always will be.
G-Gummi Bears or Worms: Gummi bears, but only if they are the white or cinnamon ones.
H-Home town: Taylorsville Utah
I- Indulgences: Warm brownie with vanilla ice cream. Eric just made some! Yummy!!
J- January or July?: July.
K-Kids:3; 1 boy, 2 girls.
L-Life is incomplete without: Eric and the kids!
M- Marriage Date: 11/14/97.
N-Number of Siblings: 2 brothers.
O- Oranges or Apples: Oranges.
P- Phobias or Fears: Earthquakes, Kidnappers and Serial Killers.
Q- Quote: Everything has a place and everything in it's place.
R- Reason To Smile: Life is good!
S- Season: Fall, I love sweatshirt weather.
T- Tag Four: Kim, Michael, Marne, Megan....sorry I don't know that many bloggers.
U- Unknown fact about me: I love Neil Diamond!
V- Vegetarian or Oppressor of Animal: Oppressor, but it has to be well done! Jerky :)
W- Worst Habit: Not taking the time to enjoy things. I am working on it.
X-Rays or Ultrasounds: Ultrasounds.
Y-Your favorite food: Cafe Rio Grilled Chicken Salad.
Z: Zodiac Sign: Taurus.