out with the old and in with the new!

After being in the house for 3 summers we decided it was time to tackle the backyard and make it useable. I tried to find pictures of before but there aren't any... probably because it wasn't useable at all!!! We had a little 3 X 3 stoop of concrete out the backdoor that was quickly falling as the ground sank. we had nice rock edging that slopped so badly that all the rocks fell into the grass and everytime you walked on it they would slide (you with it). Then we had goatheads.. the most evil weed on the planet. One night after the kids could not go out to play and joe came in from grilling carring about 100 goatheads in his shoes and legs we decided to fix the problem! We built a redwood deck, breeze patio with fire pit, dog run with pea gravel and moved the sprinklers so they actually water the grass! To say we love our deck and yard is an understatement. We spend a ton of time out there now, the kids love that they have a place to play and we have a great entertaining spot.

Looking from the swingset. (The grass is green now, we had just come off of 2 weeks with temps. over 100 and the grass didn't like being dug up)

The deck with shade and spot for the grill where it won't blow into the fence. (did i mention that with the winds we get i feel like we live in kansas?)

The 4ft fence that leads to the dog run.

The table and benches that my dad and ash built out of redwood scrapes. They are pretty handy.

The firepit and swingset.

Caleb the past few months

This post is late for many reasons, only a few of which I will name. I just have to say how much I love this little boy. His growing up has been bitter sweet for me. On one hand I love that he is FINALLY progressing and doing things kids his age should be and then on the other hand I look and he isn't even close to being my little baby anymore. Caleb is such a ray of sunshine in my life. He really is happy about 90 percent of the time and loves to laugh and play. I love that he is able to communicate with his understanding of yes and no as well as about 20 words that he speaks. I love his obsession with cars and balls and they way he lights up with Madi walks in the room. He is in to following her every move and doing everything she does. She is patient and lets him and teaches him. Every time we get in the car she continually quizzes him on animal sounds and teaches him how to spell words. He loves to learn and soaks it all in. Another reason this post is late because around 16 months Caleb started walking but I didn't want to jinx it so I didn't say anything. I can officially say that a few weeks shy of being 17 months Caleb is a walker! He is so much happier now and so am I. It came at exactly the right time as his therapist and I were extremely frustrated with his lack of standing and strength. We even started canceling therapy sessions because I didn't know if they were helping of frustrating him. 2 days after we said goodbye to childrens not to be back for 5 weeks Caleb took his first steps. It started slow and he would only walk if he started from a sitting position and you asked him if he wanted to fly. He soon took off and 3 weeks later has moved from barely teatering to running after his sister.  The only sad part about him walking is that he can now turn away from me looking back and waving bye-bye mommy

 You would think we lived on a ranch the way mykids are obsessed with horses!

"hi daddy" SLAM

"hi daddy" SLAM

(Joe sighs) "Caleb please stop we are watching a movie"

"hi daddy" SLAM

(giggling)

"CHEESE" This is the new camera face.

The first flying steps

He is so proud of himself.

Cay-Joe

They call me Caleb Joseph...

 But you can call me cay- joe..

cool-joe...

 or buddy...

double trouble

These two love eachother and love playing and spending time together. Madi is a great big sister and always is trying to make Caleb happy when he is sad, and torments him when he's not. Caleb has also learned how to push his sisters buttons and loves to harass her. All in all they are 2 peas in a pod and love spending time together.

 Sharing her ice pop because she said his teeth were hurting him. (from the look on his face I think she's right)

 Playing in the water table and tent one hot afternoon

 "Mom Caleb is doing something..."

"What is he doing Madi?"

"Just come look he's probably getting in trouble"

(Caleb blows raspberries at his sister and squawks)

Yep he was getting in trouble and she sat there the whole time to make sure :)

Yeah right mom you think this gate will keep me out of the storage room??

Where I found them during nap time one day. He snuck out of his room, into hers, woke her up and took her downstairs to play rockets.

Summer Fun

So far this summer we have been busy busy and having so much fun! We have had a great opportunity to play with friends as we started a play group for the kiddos this summer. Lots of trips to the park and backyard water fun!

 Riding in a bug

Caleb enjoying the playground

 Lunch with friends (did i mention that the kids madi's age are mostly boys and the kids caleb's age are mostly girls...)

Caleb, Peyton and Avery

 Caleb taking Avery for a ride

Tackling Peyton

 Ashley brought Madi a special suprise from Cali. Her old ribbons and taught her ribbion dancing. Madi loves it and has had so much fun learning how to do it right.

 Playgroup water fun day

How the kids help with yard work

This summer we tackled the yard...it has been a lot of work for the whole family...

Caleb keeps Bailee out of the way by dropping cookies or snacks on the swing-set

Madison wears the white hardhat

Caleb Keeps himself busy eating cookies from the pantry (notice the dog feet, she spends most of her days about 2 feet from caleb at all times...)

Caleb has learned how to open the panty door, find the box of cookies on the shelf, get himself a bowl, and then puts 2-3 cookies in it to eat. (he usually stops when the box is empty) I'm just proud that he gets the bowl and doesn't just dump them on the floor!

One night...

after we had finished the deck I looked outside to find these 2

 Looking for the big dipper and making wishes on stars

It's moments like this that make me so grateful for my husband and kids