Backyard Projects

mid-July 2009~ I'm not sure how, but we (well, Josh) completely transformed our backyard within two weeks to prepare for Ronan's 5th birthday party! It seemed like an impossible task (to me), but Josh is ambitious enough and capable of taking on such big projects! He did a great job and we've been enjoying being able to use the space! I have to admit, though, that the stress of getting it done before the party was a little too much for me!!

Our little workers helping daddy build a play structure.
The boys could hardly wait for it to be done!
Getting closer!

The finished product...just in time for Ronan's birthday party!
Josh also built a deck using some of the leftover hardwood flooring.

My parents helped out a ton with getting the backyard ready for the party! They rolled the sod for our little stretch of grass and helped clean up all the junk/construction remnants on the back patio.

Insta-lawn!

View of the finished deck & sod

Tie Dye Fun

July 21st~ My mom did a tie dye demonstration for our moms group and all of the kids got to make their own creations! It was a lot of fun, and so neat to see the final outcomes! This was my first time ever tie dying, which is hard to believe since I grew up with "hippie" parents. (: (:

Such focus & concentration

The finished products:

Tyler looking so tall & grown up with his mama!

Hanging out at Uncle Aaron's softball game

Happy Birthday, Katrina!

July 20th~My sister, Katrina, turned 28 this year and we celebrated on her birthday in their big backyard.
The ladies of the family~

silly boys

Super Yummmy Ice Cream Cake!

Getting Cedar to smile. (:

Such a happy, sweet boy!

me and my guy

Who could those dirty feet belong to? (: Ahh, the joy of barefoot summer fun!

Happy Birthday, Katrina!

Delta Ponds

On July 20th the boys and I joined my parents (who were watching the Chase kids) at the nature area around the Delta Ponds. The kids loved exploring and looking for tadpoles, fish, and insects! I saw a huge tadpole, but was never able to catch it. He had too many good hiding spots. (: We caught lots of little fish, though, and Tyler took them home and has kept some alive in his backyard.

Griffin found a dragonfly!

Leslie's Visit

• Later in the day on July 19th we enjoyed a quick visit with my good friend, Leslie, at her parent's house in Eugene. Leslie and her boyfriend, Nick, are both new doctors and they are completing their residencies in Ventura County and L.A. They have very busy schedules, but it worked out that they were able to plan their vacation time to come to Oregon when Leslie's sister was due to have a baby (in Portland). I wasn't expecting to see them since they were only around for a few days, so I was extra excited when I heard that they were going to make it down to Eugene!! We loved getting to visit with them--and meet Nick for the first time!
  

Griffin and Ronan got to help hammer the razor clams for dinner. (:

Nick cooked an amazing, gourmet meal for everyone! It was SO very delicious!

The salad had marionberries, blackberries, goat cheese, and roasted almonds in it.

Roasted beets, carrots, potatoes, and yams

The whole spread

Berry cobbler and ice cream for dessert. (:

Josh helped keep the kids entertained, including Leslie's niece, Brooklyn.
After dinner the boys played a little soccer with Nick.

Happy Birthday, Erin!

On Sunday, July 19th, we celebrated Erin's birthday (which was on the 18th) with all the family at Josh's parent's house. It was a sunny day, and we all enjoyed relaxing in the backyard and watching the cousins play together. Erin's lunch request was enchiladas and taco salad--so very yummy! Aunt Diane also came to Eugene that weekend and was able to come to the party. It was fun to see her!

Macey and Griffin swinging together (:

Whenever we are all together at Grammie & Grandpa's house the kids insist on walking down to the park before the day is over. It's tradition. (:

Happy Birthday, Sadie!

Sadie turned six years old on July 17th and she celebrated with an adorable Hello Kitty party in her new backyard. It was a fun party with all of the cousins and a few of Sadie's friends from kindergarten! There was a table set up for crafts, a pinata, and a super cute Hello Kitty cake for dessert.
Sadie looked so beautiful in her new summer dress!

Josh and Papa showed up to the party wearing almost the exact same clothes! It was so funny!

You can always find Ronan and Tyler climbing the cherry tree.

Cedar smiling at Memaw (:

Present time!

Posing with her Hello Kitty purses-she got two of the same, one from us and one from her Aunt Amy. (:

Uncle Josh and Griffin holding Cedar

Happy Birthday, Sadie Renee!