Monday, August 22, 2016

Landscaping.

We had a few more landscaping projects to knock off our list.
1. dig in our trampoline in the ground.
2.  cut down a few more trees
3.  dig out some dirt to make a level surface for an above ground pool.
4.  lay pavers on our once dirt 3rd driveway.
5.  haul in a bunch of dirt to level & seed our front yard.
And whatever else pops up on the to-do list!
Watching dad cut down some trees.
Grandpa & Grandma Johnson came with the bobcat to help with the earth moving parts.
The beginning of the trampoline hole.
Ohh was that a project!
We kept Viv safe & occupied in her swing while we worked on the yard.
And the boys kept busy zooming down the back hill.
Digging out the 3rd drive, getting ready for laying pavers.
Relocating dirt to the front yard.
In the midst of all the trucks hauling & dumping in our yard,
we also installed a radon mitigation system in the house
since the boys now sleep downstairs.
More & more piles in the yard!
Vance had to make sure to get a little chainsaw work done too!
Staking out the spot for the bobcat to dig out dirt for our pool.
Too bad we later realized that was the exact location of our drain field.
And the pool had to be sold!
It was a sad day,
but we said we'd get a hot tub in a few years instead.
Luke got a concussion from the last tree branch that he cut down,
so it was my turn to do some manual labor with the boys.
I rebuilt the side retaining wall AND layed the whole driveway of pavers.
It was exhausting, but worth it!
Smoothing out some dirt in the front yard.
Getting some much appreciated help from our neighbor with his tractor & lawn attachments!


March.


March proved to be a pretty busy month.
We finally got around to using our Powder Ridge lift tickets that we won at the Meeker County Fair.
Nothing like leaving it til the last couple days of the ski slopes being open!
But it ended up being perfect for all of us.
It was quite warm so the snow was a bit stickier than usual.
Great for kids learning how to ski for the first time!
Adler & Brock did so good.
They tackled the bunny hill & Adler even joined us on the big slopes.
Viv is pretending how to use a pacifier!
Causing a bit of chaos in the library.
Fruit smoothie brain freeze!
Adler's Disney themed concert.
Spending time with grandma on the porch.
Vivienne loves riding the crazy cart with her brother.
Impromptu DQ trip on a chilly afternoon.
Her 1st cone!
(she loved it)
Adler mentioned one day that he wanted to move downstairs.
I always thought he would want to stay upstairs for a couple more years (at least),
so when he brought it up I couldn't believe it.
He has always been the one is more fearful of the basement or gets scared easily.
But he was gung-ho & we went with it!
We moved Adler & Brock downstairs together
because let's face it....they are attached at the hip.
They feel more grown-up now & I feel like they're more grown up now.
It was actually a bit emotional for me, but it feels good to be settled 
into our home even more now.
Everyone is in their rightful rooms now until they leave the house.
And Vance has his own room & goes to bed so much better now.

Friday, August 19, 2016

Mother's Day.


I think every mom (with little kids especially)
is excited to see what Mother's Day brings.
Sweetness, tantrums, hugs, fighting, kisses, little love notes...
you never know what you're going to get?! haha
This year consisted of breakfast in bed.
And sweet messages.
& snuggles.
For an early Mother's Day celebration,
we went to Clearwater Travel Plaza/Nelson Bros.
Making our way to church 
(with tantrums...I knew that had to be tantrums today! haha)
I decided I wanted to run around the lake all by myself.
This happened to be the day Adler said he wanted to run around with me!
Ohh my, I couldn't say no.
It was his first time around the lake & he did great.
Time to end the day with storytime with mom.
Happy Mother's Day to me. 
It was a great one!
I just love being a mom.


May.

Adler played Spring soccer with Tri-County Soccer Association.
He loved every minute of it!
And we loved watching him practice & play.
I'm pretty sure we have a future soccer player on our hands.
This warmer weather is feeling good enough to get outside!
Relaxing at soccer.
Lazy Saturday mornings.
We invited the Olberding's to join up at the Monticello Community Center
for a day of fun, while the weather was still a bit chilly.
Stella had her heart surgery not long before this 
& she climbed up that rock wall like a champ!
After swimming we decided to play in Romp N' Stomp.
Someone got herself a new horsey!
Just like one that I had growing up.
Our first boat ride of the year with the Young's.
Ride'm cowboy!
Adler's artwork was chosen to be displayed at the Becker Library.
We had to swing by & check it out.
Viv & her favorite snowglobe from Grandpa & Grandma Herdina.
Shortly after this picture the globe broke!
I just knew that was going to possibly happen at some point, 
but she loved it so much that I couldn't take it from her.
I'm sure grandma will find another one.  oops.
Gabe had his 10th birthday party at the bowling alley.
The boys loved it!
Couldn't quite make it through lunch!
Fooling around at soccer with our pal Nicholas.
Track & field day at school with Brock.
More track & field day fun with Adler.
Playing on the beach at the Young's.
Figuring out the trolling motor on the paddleboat.
Smores time!
ALDI boxes have been proven to provide lots of entertainment!
Playing with grandpa.
The kids just love our neighbors.
Playing at Conner's graduation.
Conner displayed all the woodworking things he has made.
More fun in the sun at the Young's!
For Adler's last day of soccer
it was time to play a game of kids versus parents!
Last day for 3 four to play with each other, until next season!
Nicholas getting Vivienne to smile big!