Backyard Project 5

Patio is finished. Next up is the flowerbed. Goal is to have it finished by end of July. Thanks for all your help, dad!

Backyard Project 4

The goal for the weekend was to lay the flagstone and create the patio. Goal accomplished. At least for the most part. We still have to put the border in and pour in crushed granite to act as the mortar, but a huge part of it is done. We are both so happy with it. Sneak peak at first photos here.

To my dad and all the dad's out there, here's to you. Being a dad is the best.

Backyard Project 3

The mid-week torrential thunderstorms were a devastating blow to the gut of the backyard project. I didn't cover the hole and it became one giant pool. I spent yesterday doing my best to drain it, but it took forever and still wasn't drained by last night.

This morning began a new day, though. With the new day came new hope. New determination. I bought about 40 bags of dirt (40lbs each) and started to fill the hole back up to a nice, solid, level foundation. I still need more dirt. I need to bring everything up a couple inches.

Patience.

More Chicago Pics

Mini-vacation in Chicago Pics

We had an awesome time in Chicago. We got to see a couple of shows (Jersey Boys & The Second City - I know I'm using it wrong), hang out with one of our college friends (Joy, who HOOKED us up with the tickets for Jersey Boys), spend nice time outside (the weather was perfect), eat at a Chicago Institution (Gino's East), stand in line outside a restaurant for the first time (Gino's East), and experienced the tourist trap known as the Navy Pier.

It was a great time for me and Steph. It felt like it was the first time that we've had to actually focus entirely on the other person for any length of time since the boys were born. I think it is. God bless my mom (for watching the kids).

Pics continued...Mother's Day in June

I experimented with the smaller pictures thinking I could load more into 1 post. Wrong.

Pics - Mother's Day...in June

Not really. These are pics from the real Mother's Day where we spent great time in The Woodlands with YiaYia and all the cousins and Uncle Nick and Thea and Uncle Matt. We surprised YiaYia :) It was emotional for everyone on many levels. It's just so nice being around family, especially moms.

Updated pics of the kids

I never take good alone pictures with Nick. It's always Max. I'll fix it in the next round.

Backyard Project 2

1 5x8 flat bed trailer: $100
1 ton of flagstone: $250
1 friend (Rich) and 1 dad who help dig, load, and unload 4 tons of grass & soil from my backyard so we can move to the next grueling stage of the landscaping (loading in dirt and sand): Priceless

Backyard Project 1

We're landscaping our backyard. We have a small backyard. We're digging up 1/4 of it, easy. Unlike when we did our front yard, we don't have a vacant lot right across the street to dump our dirt. It's a whole other process to actually do something with the dirt. It's OK, though. With a little resourcefulness, we'll get it done. Question is - how long will it take us? (We started Friday.)