My little patch of heaven....

When Scott and I built our house, we had no idea how much work it would be to get the yard in. Scott has been working a ton in the yard and he (and I do mean he...I haven't done a thing out there!!!) finally has everything pretty much prepped and hopefully we will be planting here shortly. But for now, I have a little patch of heaven in my backyard.

My parents are doing an addition on the back of their house and had to cut away some sod to make room. They graciously offered to come and give it to us. We decided to put it right around our back door-kind of a natural dirt stopper, I hope!

They came and worked to get it ready and had most of it laid in no time. Scott and my dad worked on it the next morning to get it all finished up. I can't believe the difference a little grass makes!! It will be so fun to have a full yard of green grass in the spring. It really is the little things that make a girl happy!

One of my friends commented the other day about how great my parents are. I have to agree-and I'll add my brother Matt to the list. He does so much for us-I'm thankful he's right next door. He is a great uncle and friend to me and to my kids!

So thanks, mom and dad for our little patch of heaven in the backyard! And thanks again for your work in putting it in. Love you!

PS Don't we grow cute flowers around here??

Fun at the Fair

For the last five years, Scott and I have worked with our friends (the Smith Family) at the fair at their food booth. We serve teriyaki and sweet & sour chicken, philly cheese steak sandwiches and the all favorite fried candy bars, twinkies and oreos. It is always a great time!!

My parents have taken over fair touring duties with our kids the past couple of years and the kids have loved going to the fair with Mamie and Gramps. It is fun because they bring them to see us and then take them to see the animals, eat cotton candy, and basically spoil them because that's what grandparents do best. :) Thanks again, mom and dad for taking our kids and giving them a great time!

Here are a few highlights from the Fair, 2009.

Landon did NOT like the pigs. The closer my mom would push the stroller to the pigs, the farther apart he would put his legs so that he wasn't close to the snout. So funny!

Hard at work at Yan Kee Kan Kook. Even Parker and Pacie got to help for a few minutes and they each earned a dollar for their labors. :) Thanks to our wonderful friends for letting us be a part of your fair experience!

In the back, making the fried goodies. We did something like 400 twinkies and 4 boxes of snickers on Friday. (around 250) People like their fried sweets!! (Next year they are doing fried cheesecake and I'll tell you...it's a must try!!!)

I do.....

Love this little girl of mine.

Safety First!

Yesterday my dad and my brother, Matt, and Scott finished our basement. We had all of our base trim to do as well as three closets. It took the three of them 8 hours to do about 400 feet of trim. It looks AMAZING. I am so thankful to them for taking their Labor Day for my benefit. I'll have to post pictures of the finished products later once I take some.

The best part of the day was when my dad ascended the stairs wearing this hat.

He was doing the toy/play room and came across our hard hat collection.

Thankfully, there were enough to go around.

And good thing too. Mere seconds after this picture was taken, Matt "sort of accidentally" dropped his tape measure on my dad's head.

Not only that, but my other little man, Landon was so tired out after his long days play, this is how I found him after his bath.

Thanks again to some of my most favorite men. I really appreciate you.

And I dig the hats too.

Hippy Chic

Presley came into our room dressed in this outfit yesterday.

I especially like the bracelets on her legs.

She is the new Hippy Chic.

And sorry for the burred pictures, but she was shakin' it!!

Anyone up for an omelet?

So here is the story.

On the first day of school, I took the younger two to Sam's Club to do some shopping. When we got home, I thought to myself, "I better take the eggs in first so they don't get broken." I brought them inside and then went out to continue bringing in the other food. Landon had accidentally pushed out a giant jar of strawberry jam and it had broken all over the sidewalk. (Note to self: when you think you'd be better off buying the two squeezable jams as opposed to the giant glass jar....trust your first instict.)

So I get that mess cleaned up and come back inside to find this.

Presley had gotten out a bowl and had cracked 9 of the 18 eggs that I had just purchased into the said bowl and all over the floor. She was up to her elbows in egg. But-it was one of those moments where you either get REALLY mad, or laugh about it later. I chose to laugh about it. After all, she was just trying to be domestic.

And I have to say, I was really impressed with the lack of shells she got into the bowl. Maybe we have a chef in the making at our house. I'll keep you posted.

I've got the back to school blues.....

So it's here. Again. The first day of school.

I remember posting on that last day of school and said before I knew it I'd be doing my back to school post. And I was right. Summer flew by and it's time again.

I'm not one of those "I can't wait for school to start so my kids are gone and out of the house" kind of moms. I love having my kids home. Granted, I know they are ready to go back, and they were super excited, so I will be happy for them, all while missing them like crazy and watching the clock all day long today.

Parker is starting 2nd grade and Pacie is in 1st grade which is a huge move for her. Being there all day is a big switch. But I think they are ready. Scott gave them both the sweetest blessings last night and I got all of my tears out then. (Until my sweet mom came over and gave them a hug-that started the mini-waterworks again...but the girls didn't see me-so technically it didn't count)

They picked out their outfits, had their backpacks and boarded the bus like pros. Now here I sit in a house quieter minus two (it's still not THAT quiet-I do still have two little ones here and all) watching the clock.

3:00 won't come quickly enough. I can't wait to hear all about their day, who is in their classes and how their day went. I love you, girls! Hope your day is wonderful.