Memorial Day 2017

We had a lot of fun celebrating Memorial Day.  We spent the early afternoon with our ward at Symmes Park for our picnic and then it was a touch chilly when the sun wasn't beating down, but we still got to the back yard for some water fun.  At the end of the day we are grateful for the freedoms to have days together like this because of those who went before and made the ultimate sacrifice. 

She could do this for hours

She loves the sand

She loves to eat - and grab your phone when you take pictures of her

Mae performing

#freedom

Water fun

They weren't out there very long

November Happenings

November had some memorable moments - from Aunt Laurie coming to visit, our girls defeating Goliath once and for all, leaves not wanting to fall and still having to cut the grass in December, and Thanksgiving. 

A visit from Laur

Coward hid behind the fence

He was no match for these girls though

They didn't go for the head though - they swept the legs.

Everyone look at the camera

Getting closer!

I think it actually happened!

Labor Day Fun

With Lindsey ALWAYS being up on our preparedness, we bought a tent.  On Labor Day weekend we set it up, made s'mores, and camped in the backyard.  Okay, we didn't camp, but we did play games in the tent...in the dark.  It was a good time. 

They say it's supposed to go up in 90 seconds - it took me a little longer

S'mores delight

Anna-ther 4 Year Old

Didn't Mae just turn 4?  Oh right - yes, like 20 months ago.  Our sweet Anna turned 4.  She loved her day - presents, swimming, an Oreo pie!  Can't beat it.

Breakfast muffin

Our little curly gift amongst her gift

Bring in the crazy!

Brooklyn - ready to start swiping some toys

Swim time!

 

 

Singing time

 

 

I mean it's not the worst thing that our kids always pick Oreo pie

Does Mae think it's the middle of Winter?

Make a wish

Finally four!

The Grass is Always Greener - Until the Roots Destroy It

We "finished" getting the roots out.  Yes, we completely dug out our yard, and almost made permanent damage to the nerves in our arms, hands, and knees, but we got those evil evil things out of our yard.

This root came up fast and furious just last year

So...the roots were where?

Remember when we used to have grass in our side yard?

Annual Bushes Photo Shoot 2015

Our Annual Bushes-Bush-Bushes family photo shoot.  The bush on the left is slowly growing back - look at that!  It didn't go so bad this year - we only really had one person per picture mess it up. 

I didn't make it in time

What are you looking at, Brook?

Is it on the other side now, Brook?

Really, Anna?

So close

The best we got

The Leaves of 2015

Every year it seems as if we have more and more leaves.  This year they fellseemingly all in a couple days.  Just like past years though, all the hours of blowing and raking was worth it with all the joy it brought.

Oh man - the before

Long day ahead

Running to the fun

A great place for a crash landing

A little more cautious

 

It's big

Thinking about asking Mr. Locke to jump in

You can get lost in here

Sighhhh

This is always a great sight

So Long Apple Tree

One day, I looked over and saw our apple tree was no longer standing.  It's been dead for years (we've never actually seen edible apples on it) and well, it came tumbling down at some point - right on the swingset. 

And man do we get leaves!

And we won't even have to deal with a stump

How are we supposed to swing on the swings?

Rooted

After the birthday fun was over, I took another day off of work to get rid of some roots - and when I saw some I mean an entire underground city.  I can't remember a project leaving me so sore and so beaten down.  I couldn't hold a fork or a pen for 48 hours after without shaking.  I crawled up stairs.  We didn't even get all of them, BUT we got a majority!  We paid the price but now I worry less about tripping and head wounds for the little ones.  Papa D could have gone for a couple more hours, but I had nothing left.

The view from the box seats

 

These were the easy ones

 

Well it sure doesn't help the look of the yard

If only this were the only section

Now that's one big pile of roots

Complete exhaustion