Family Fun

Day Three of our Vacation... Family Photos! Everyone got up bright and early to try and avoid the hot sun, but we ended up in it anyway. We had to relocate the photo shoot to the back of the beach house because the sun would have been directly in our eyes. I think they turned out pretty well considering. And the last picture we took was kind of a silly photo but I think it turned out the best!! So here's a few shots from the Family Photo Shoot today.And here are some individual family shots.You'll notice our picture is in the sand. I liked this one better than our shot in front of the fence.

And my favorite.... the final family photo, which I think turned out great considering everyone is wearing sunglasses!!

Progress

It took me long enough but I finally got my garden put in and it looks great! Now I just have to keep it alive (yikes!). Wish me luck. And here are some pictures of the progress and the
final outcome (well kind of, I still have a few more plants to put in and some flowers to plant).

These are all before photos from two Saturdays ago.

This is from two Saturdays ago after my original post about the garden. I think I did a pretty good job. Unfortunately I only got the one box cleared before I was D-O-N-E. It was a hot day!! I did manage to mark where the other box would go but a cute doggie I know knocked it all over by the time the next Saturday came around.

A few days later we ran over to the Home Depot and got top soil, manure, and compost and dumped them all in to fill them up then Friday I picked the plants. We have red, yellow, orange, and green bell pepper plants, a banana pepper plant, tomatoes, zucchini, and cucumbers. I also picked up a variety of herbs - basil, cilantro, sage, and catnip(for the kitties) to plant on my patio side area (see above picture). And to the right is the finished product. The areas that don't have cedar chips are awaiting plants. I'm not sure why the picture is slanted to much but it gives you an idea.


That's Bootz hanging out by the catnip. And this little set up I got from my boss (or I guess previous boss now) for free. We got four chairs and a lounge chair. I have two tiki torches that go on either side but they kept falling down so I put them away until we need them. All in all, I think we've got a pretty nice back yard now. A lot better than the "fortress of solitude" we had before. I'm looking forward to spending more time out there and to the delicious white salsa that will hopefully come from the fruits of the garden!!

Realizations and A Vegetable Garden

I realized a few weeks back why I have such a hard time blogging. I know this will sound dumb but it took me this long to finally figure it out so bare with me, blogging is like writing in your journal - for other people to read. I know, sad that I just figured that one out. But really though, the last time I wrote in my journal was shortly after my mom passed away, so you can see how good I am at doing that. I've always been lazy about writing in my journal so I guess that's why I've taken forever to finally get something posted here! Like I always say, I'll try to do better.

I wanted to post some pics of our latest project. Mostly as motivation to get outside and finish it but also so everyone could see the fruits of our labors. We've been wanting to get some planter boxes in the back yard for a raised bed vegetable garden for a while now, but as we always do we've procrastinated. Last weekend we were in Sam's and found a great deal (again) on some pre-fab boxes so we got two. I say again because they had the same boxes at the same price at the beginning of spring but we decided to wait, then they were gone. So we went home and put them together and there they have sat, for a week now. Alan did try to start pulling the grass up where we wanted them, but didn't make it as far as he'd like. So I get to finish it up today so that when he gets home we can get our dirt and plants. Here's a few before pics (well, before I get started digging).


You can see how far Alan got. And you can see all the dead spots where Bizzy has destroyed the grass. Another project to work on!

So I guess I should get started. How sad is it that I'm blogging to avoid the very project I am blogging about! It's just so dang humid!!

I haven't forgotten

I know it may seem that I forgot I even had a blog by the lack of posts, but the reality is I've just been extremely lazy!! We've had so much happen with our little family since I last posted. Maybe one of these days I'll get motivated to catalog them all for your reading pleasure (if anyone will even read them!)

It's getting to be spring time around here and I guess with the renewed energy that Spring brings, I'm feeling the need to update my blog and such. Or maybe it has to do with my new calling as Relief Society Secretary that's got me motivated to be more organized. Either way, I'm gonna give it all another try! So, here I go again. By the way, even though I haven't posted anything in over a year, I do still read all my favorite blogs and thoroughly enjoy keeping up with everyone through their beautiful, creative posts!! So thanks to everyone for motivating me as well!!