It started as a garden

We've been waiting for more than two months to have our backyard "fixed". There are ducks living there now, which tells you it's a swamp... or lake... or pond! One big mess! With a little setback last week, we now have a new contractor and a new plan. Now, being that it's too late to seed, we have to wait until October. Crazy, but that's how they do it here!






We decided with our yard being out of our control, we should do what is in our control. We planted our first garden!

Jim tilled it up with Pa's tiller, and we got to work. A row of beets for Grandma, carrots, zucchini, squash, watermelon, tomato and pepper plants, and lot and lots of green beans! I just imagined filling Granny's jars (I was lucky enough to have them passed down to me) with yummy green beans.

We knew it was our practice garden, but didn't expect it to be washed away within the first 48 hours! With five straight days of severe weather, our garden now looks like the rest of our yard... guess we'll be tilling again!

Busy Week

As I laid in bed last night, I tried to figure out why this last week has seemed so busy. Nothing too exciting, but crazy! I came up with a list of just a few of the happenings that kept us hopping!

1. Tyler's Toe: First trip to the doctor this week... Tyler had his big toenail taken off. Yuck. I couldn't stand to watch, but held his hand at the head of the bed. Coleman on the other hand took a front-row seat and watched every step of the painful process. We said he may end up being the doctor in the family, but he insists he's going to be a race-car driver.
2. Justin's Bench Press: Justin loves weight training. Taking on a little more than he could handle, he dropped the bar and it landed on his face. Happened so fast, his friend didn't have time to react or catch the bar... Yes, it hurt! It was 175 pounds, so I give him a little credit for trying.

3. Caden's Mullet: Half way through trying to cut Caden's hair, he wanted Daddy to do it, not me. Of course, this is nothing new. As the result of Daddy's first haircut, Caden's mop is now officially a mullet. Yes, if that's not 80's hockey hair, I don't know what is!

4. Zoo Workout: The little guys and I slipped out the other day for an afternoon at the zoo. We've been working hard... needed a break. I thought I'd be smart and take the stroller in case Caden got tired. Plus, it's handy to hold drinks. My idea backfired. They both thought it was a free ride. The plan was to wear them out... not me. They're already set to head back. I'm still a little tired from pushing 80+ pounds around.

5. Poison Ivy: A kind telephone repairman let me know in the fall that we have poison ivy throughout our treeline. It's been on our never-ending list of things to do, but made a quick jump to the top of the list this week as Jim has been hit hard. It's bad stuff... a rash with blisters and an itch that won't stop. This picture is after a week of it and finally drying out.

6. Pink Eye: Second trip to the doctor this week... Justin has pink eye on the last day of school. Bummer... but, somehow he talked the doc in to letting him return. Begging to go to school... why only on the last day?

7. Solved: I've got five large pots on our front porch filled with some of my favorite flowers. They're doing well, but two of them have had a little trouble. I haven't been able to figure it out until last night. I knew something was eating them... and it's been so frustrating. Why only two? Last night, with my Encyclopedia Brown flashlight in hand, I finally caught the creature in action. It was a caterpillar. I hope there aren't others. Of course, I was proud of myself for figuring it out and called Jim to look... his comment... "Honey, he was a very hungry caterpillar." I didn't think he was too funny last night, but today I've had to laugh. So much humor in our home... what would I do without it?

All this along with planting a few new trees, putting in our garden, working, the last day of school, both little guys with the 24-hr flu and a few other things... we've not had a dull moment! Maybe this week will settle down!

Like Justin- Like Seth

Yeah!! School's out! Time for camps, the pool and sunshine!!

I've seen resemblances to my brothers in both Justin and Tyler since they were born. Both in personality and physical features. As they get older, they remind me more and more of Seth and Steele. I just love it. My brothers are smart, witty and good looking guys! I didn't take this photo of Justin... he and Ty decided to do their own photo shoot... But, he looks so much like Seth to me- it blows my mind! The pose is definitely a Seth pose, as well!

Our Mighty Oaks and Maples

Once summer finally rolls around, Alaskans step up to the plate and savor every minute of the daylight and sun. With long winters and short summers, you have to get out an enjoy the sun while it's shining. It's so short-lived if you don't- you'll miss it! It is the norm to abandon everything in the house to spend the day outside if the weather is nice.

The problem I'm having right now is I'm not in Alaska anymore, but can't seem to shake this mindset! I find myself intrigued with the weather and with warm days, it feels like I should be outside to enjoy every minute of it. That would be fine if I was on top of things and didn't need to work or clean every day! I don't have the excuses any more that accompany a short summer... "Sorry, I didn't make dinner... it was nice outside," or "I couldn't possibly clean today... it was too nice to be inside!" I'm wondering how long it is going to take me to adjust to having to clean and make dinner even when it's above 80 degrees! So hard when I feel the constant tugging to work in the yard!

This week, we've been working on planting our trees... seedlings, that is. We ordered them from KU- the cooperative extension. It's a great way to be able to afford buying trees when you need a bunch. We bought 75... sawtooth oaks, northern oaks and maples. We'll probably be 80 when they're tall enough to enjoy them...but, we're excited anyway! They've actually got buds on them... so they're on the right track! I had to add this bottom picture to put the size in perspective! Look closely, or you'll miss it...They're only 18" - 24" now, but should grow 2-4 feet a year...

Unbelievable- Caden AGAIN

Here's Caden's List of Favorite Things:

1. Daddy
2. Daddy's Tractor
3. Sitting on Daddy's Lap
4. Being held in Daddy's Arms
5. Waiting on the Porch for Daddy

Without exaggeration, Caden is truly a Daddy's boy. He tolerates me when Daddy's gone, and I don't even see him once Daddy's home. Yesterday, we spent the day outside. Of course, once the tractor is started up, Caden will come running from any direction.

My kid who thinks he's too big for a nap actually fell asleep while mowing with Daddy. It was so crazy to me! It was loud and bumpy, but somehow he dozed off and stayed asleep long enough for me to get my camera. He's something else!

My Kind of Snow

Even before we closed on our house last summer, I was ready to start planting! Love working in the yard! I was lucky enough to have my mom with me and amidst all the craziness of moving we managed to make it to a local greenhouse. Neither my mom or I are too keen on shopping, but we LOVE nurseries! The smell of dirt, the humidity, the colors... LOVE it all!!

Of course, August is the end of the season so everything was picked over. We found a few of these "snow in summer" plants that are just beautiful. Problem was- they were about half dead. I asked the guy first if they had any more (no, wait until Spring...), then if he thought they would make it. He agreed- they were dead. We browsed a little more, then checked out. As I held one of the half-dead plants, I asked him if he'd discount it. He kind of smiled, then said I could just have it. So, without hesitation, I ran back to rescue a few more. We were so excited- what a deal! Jim kind of shook his head when we brought our bargain of the day home... couldn't understand why I was so excited about a few dead plants!

Well, they made it... and I love them! Best of all, they come back every year... bigger and better!

Summer Running?

What was I thinking? I'm so excited for summer... with a relaxed schedule! My plan was for Justin and Ty to help motivate me to work out since we have this Y membership. I also envision sunny days at the zoo and weekly trips to the library. It's likely the big boys won't humor me with another summer of summer reading program, but the little guys will be so excited!

School's not even out and the camp registration forms are already coming home. Ty wanted to do basketball camp, which was just fine with me. I wrote the check and signed the release. I also planned on football camp for both of them- no big deal. There's a speed development program that the school offers as well that Tyler was really interested in. He mentioned it several times, and I finally let him know if he really wanted to do it, it was fine.

He brought the form home and while I was busy doing something else... he filled it out. I wrote the check ($65) and signed the medical release. I asked him what days it was... he said July 9- July 17. That seemed alright, it would break up July a little bit.

As I went back to look over the details two days later, I discovered it's really June 9 - July 17. Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9-11. Three days a week of running- me running back and forth that is?! Yikes! As soon as I realized the real dates, I asked Ty. His comment was, "Mom, do you think they would really charge $65 for just a week of camp?" I didn't think that was too much- they could have gotten away with it with me.

It wouldn't be too bad except we're not next door to their school. It's a 20-minute drive each way (25 if you get stopped by a train, which is probable). So, trips taking him there and back if I don't wait in between add up to 80 minutes in the van- three days a week!

I've got to figure out how to get out of this one- I may even just take a hit if I can't get my $65 back. Feels like I'm trying to buy my time back.

Caden Crashed

Since he was up BEFORE 6:00 this morning, Caden decided to take a little break today. He crashed hard! I knew he was going to need a nap and tried to lay down with him. He wouldn't have it... but, dropped off on his own terms... stubborn kid!

My new Ivory Silk Lilac

I'm so excited! For Mother's Day this year, I did something I don't think I've ever done before. Jim asked me what I would like, and I actually gave him an answer! I am usually content with happy kids, a clean house, being together... not having to make dinner. This year, I got all of the above in addition to a lilac tree.

I've known my whole life that lilacs are my mom's favorite flower. It wasn't until lately, that I really wanted one. Not one with the traditional purple blossoms, but a white one. Jim searched high and low, and really surprised me with an ivory silk Japanese lilac tree. Better yet, he planted it with the boys help! It feels like a new baby and I find myself checking on it several times a day just to make sure it's still there... I know, I'm crazy!

Pick of the Week

At first, I thought the deep purple (almost black) were my favorite color. They remind me of the beautiful tulips years ago in my cousin Laura's yard. I thought they were the most beautiful flower (Laura's) I had ever seen. As an Alaskan gal, I think this was the first time I had seen them other than in the stores. It was love at first sight!

Then, as the ivory bloomed, they were definitely my favorite! I like the pink, but last week my red ones showed their color and delicate scalloped edges! My north side has been the last to bloom and this week was the biggest surprise.

I have striped pale yellow and pink ones. They're my favorite for sure! I love how Coleman and Caden put them among the reds and pinks. They really do blend well- I would have never mixed them! I don't even remember buying this variety, so they really were a surprise! I just love them! I've had a different arrangement on the table every few days and they're still blooming!