Landscape Update

A few years ago I posted that we were updating the overgrown landscaping by our garage.  The Sky Pencil Holly didn't survive so last year I put in something new (can't remember name... maybe some sort of upright barberry?).   I am so happy with how it has grown in....

Overgrown:

 

Newly Planted:

 

Over 3 years later with new house paint and trellis sturdy enough to handle the mature clematis:

I mean... It just doesn't get much better than this (I am not partial at all)!...

I don't think I ever showed the front bed.  It was also very over grown with a lot of volunteer trees coming up.  My fabulous Mom helped me clean everything up (below picture).  We, eventually, ended up pulling out everything but the Japanese Maples and Yews.  

  

 3+ years later:

Road Trip to Arapahoe

Last October I surprised Kamden after school and whisked him up to my Grandma's farm in Nebraska.  This time we brought along my sister and her kids, Cousins O and B.  We picked them up from school and headed straight up there.  These boys were in heaven!  They were outside and exploring ASAP the next morning. 

There are a lot of pictures here.  They mostly speak for themselves....

I don't think they had every teeter-tottered before.  It was hilarious.  

B has GOATS.  They are kind of crazy (and he might be, too).

We walked with the kids the one mile between my Grandma's house and my Aunt & Uncles.  That was something.  Something I don't really want to do again anytime soon.

 Uncle D took the big boys fishing!

We stopped for lunch in Hastings and played with more cousins and second cousins.  If you noticed, there are a lot of little boys in the family!  There are a few girls but they are greatly outnumbered!  I think the current count is 13 to 5. 

It was a whirlwind 48 hours but, we can't wait to do it again for harvest in October!

Easter 2015

Easter... that holiday that took place a few months ago.  Yep.

The weekend before Easter, we had some family in town from Minnesota.  It was great to see everyone and celebrate together!

 2 Kiddos were missing from this photo... They had so much fun together!

 Easter morning, the kids opened baskets at home.  Brody received some books and water toys.

Kam received some books and dinosaurs.  We are trying to slowly move on from trucks, tractors, etc.  This kid is just not budging from this obsession!

 In the afternoon, we headed to nana's house for a hot dog roast with fun and games included.   Nana gave the boys sunglasses and they were ridiculously cute. 

Nana likes to invent games.  Some are flops but this is definitely a keeper!

Cousin O observing the festivities...


Hunting for some eggs...

Visitng G&G

We had quite the scare this year.  Grandpa M got sick.  Like REALLY sick.  It was a very dicey few weeks but luckily he is on the road to recovery.  We have made some extra visits out to their land to help out and visit.  The boys are thrilled with this!  This picture captures it all.  Kamden is driving the backhoe and Brody is observing.  I can't get enough of the photo....

Brody's 1st Day!

Brody started going to school in March!  UMMM... best birthday gift ever! I learned my lesson with Kam and the very rough adjustment he went through.  I took Brody to visit his classroom once a week, for 4 weeks.  He has transitioned MUCH better than Kam.  This is a big deal because Brody is MUCH more attached to me than Kam has ever been.  Brody now gets excited to put on his backpack and go to school.  This Mama is thrilled to have about 12 hours a week to herself.  I spend most of the time doing things related to the kids and house but man... doing things without 2 kids around is priceless!

Brody's first day...

His first daily card.  I probably should have told the teachers about the hemangioma bump above his ear but, I forget about it now that his hair is so long and it started going down in size. 

 

Random February Pictures

Random photos gathered from the month...

Daddy is darn good at making snowmen.  Kamden loves his "Olaf"...

 

Every good snowman building and shoveling excursion deserves some hot chocolate...

And a nap.  They are soooo peaceful when they sleep!

We spent a couple of weeks at my parent's house in February while they escaped to Florida.  Always a good time...

Valentine's day!

A little treat for Kam's friends at school...

Meeting Cousin "O"

We finally have a baby girl in the family!  Baby "O" arrived a few days late but came into the world in quite a rush.  Probably one of the fastest first time births EVER.   It took us a bit to finally meet her.... February colds are never ending.  We were all so excited to visit with them!  Thrilled for C & J and becoming a family of three.  They are going to be the best parents!