The Backyard Project Part 2

We have worked so hard to get all the dirt, gravel, and now bricks into our backyard. Matthew, especially, worked diligently at that gravel making sure it was level and packed down. We have noted many times how neglected our workout equipment have become with the advent of this project.

This weekend was the beginning of the brick and paver work. Matthew, my dad, brother Phillip and I (but mostly Matthew) worked so hard on that wall, complete with pulling out my high school geometry skills not used in as many years to make sure our angles at the corner were just so. We were so proud of that wall and it gave us the confidence to start on paving our new patio.

That's all of the pavers we were able to lay but it is still amazingly satisfying to see that much done and imagine how amazing the rest of it will look.

Shoutout goes to our generous neighbor who lent us his masonry saw.

Chewkie Turns 7

This cute little girl who radiates joy and kindness turned 7 today. She liked the activity we started for her brother so much that it may become a new tradition. We hid a bunch of gifts around the house and as soon as she woke up she ran around with her brother finding them. Afterwards she got dressed in the dress her grandmother gave her and even let me french braid her hair in not one but two braids. It may have been a first.

For her birthday we invited a couple of her friends over for a birthday playdate (complete with birthday pinata) and enjoyed a beach-themed ice cream cake. After the party Grandma Booren, Chewkie, and I drove up to the Outlet Mall to buy Chewkie a new Build-a-Bear. The plan was to get sushi on the way home (this girl LOVES her crab sushi) but Matthew had a crazy day and wouldn't have been able to enjoy it so this sweetness agreed to settle for Taco Bell with the promise of crab sushi tomorrow.

It may not have been quite the production that her brother's birthday was but she still a happy little girl. Oh how I am grateful Heavenly Father saw fit to bless me with this little sunshine. She gives and serves and loves so completely that I am often struck by her gift. Matthew says she is just about the happiest person he has ever met. We are so lucky to call her ours for eternity.

The Backyard Project Part 1

 When we first moved into our house, we had freshly laid sod that was beautiful and thick and everything Matthew had always wanted. But then it was constantly soppy between the clay it was laid on not draining and the fact that it is more shaded than not thanks to the beautiful trees in our backyard. So to "help" it not be so wet I stopped watering it so often but that just killed the grass and then the weeds took over. It's been a steady weedy decline ever since. 

Matthew has hated and talked about getting rid of it all for the last couple of years but because he was home so much more often this summer his irritation grew four-fold. The kids agreed to sell their little-used climbing dome and then there was nothing stopping us from tearing it all out. 

About three weeks ago Matthew started ripping up the sod and a couple of days ago we got a bunch of sand, dirt, and gravel delivered so we can change up our backyard. Patio (with fire pit) on one side with ground cover and bushes on the other.

We started hauling everything into the backyard and the kids quickly fell in love with playing in the dirt. But then it got wet thanks to our neighbors overzealous watering schedule that washes its excess into our yard. But even that proved to be tons of fun for the babes.

14th Anniversary Trip

 I love being with my husband. We drove to Skamania Lodge in Washington where we spent a few days with Jared and Charlotte for a fun anniversary trip.

Friday we had an amazing time rafting down the White Salmon river. Matthew hasn't loved rafting in the past, I think mostly due to fear of losing his glasses; but since he's had LASIK he was totally game. Matthew and I started in the back but then Jared switched it up and put Matthew up front. I haven't seen Matthew grin that big for that long, maybe the whole time I've known him. Getting splashed only seemed to make him grin harder. It was awesome. So thankful Jared invited us on his adventure.

Saturday we went on a grueling 7+ mile hike straight up a mountain. I was definitely not one of the happiest campers but it was still a fun adventure we'll be able to laugh about for years to come. One of my favorite moments was when Jared insisted we trade socks in an attempt to stem the formation of a bad blister on my heel. They were both sweaty, it was weird, and I'm not sure it actually helped but it was a sweet reminder of the goodness of my brother. Another reminder of the goodness of my sweet husband was him hanging out with me at the penultimate summit when I had reached my max. Oh how I love these wonderful men in my life. I'm also glad I did the hike but I never want to do it again.

By the time we got home I was totally ready to see my sweet children. So thankful for my marriage and the joy it has brought into my life.