Curb Appeal

So it's been almost two years since we moved into the house and the front has been neglected. I have made it my goal to start getting it looking a little more presentable. I really should have done before and after shot's but when it looks the way it did, you just don't think about pulling out the camera. So for those of you who remember here's the new... I worked with the 2 gardens beds closest to the house, but the front garden was completely gutted and started new. I reused as much as possible, but tore out a lot and put in a bunch of new flowers. Most of the flowers are from our local farmers market. Yeah it looks much better!

Front porch
One of the front flower beds.
The other front flower bed.
Remodeled rock garden with a bunch of my grandmothers geodes.
The front.

Congrats Matt and Traci!

Tony and I were Master and Mistress of Ceremony for a friends wedding this weekend. We had a lot of fun but it was also a big responsibility and a lot of work. Wedding's are no easy thing. :) The happy couple are Matt, our friend's Kim and Mark's son and Traci. The wedding was at Boulder Creek Country Club and was beautiful! The reception was a bunch of fun too. Kaleb was shuffled around a lot, so a shout out to Anna, Misty and Tom and Aimee for all of their help and time with Kaleb. Thanks guys. We really appreciate the help!

Matt and Traci
Kim, Matt, Mark and Traci
Jeremy and Megan
Pretty cute shot I think. :)
Megan, Kim, Rachelle (pregnant with Fiona) and Me

We love our neighbors!

We have the best family neighborhood ever! Our backyards all open to each other and the kids get along wonderfully. We play at each others houses, ride bikes and always find some sort of fun activity. We just had our block picnic as well and here are some pictures of the fun!

Playing cars on our front porch.
Shawn and Maria's yard, next door and fun at the picnic.
Grill area at Jo and Aaron's (2 backyards over)
Kids table.
Eating dinner.
Face and body painting.
Water balloon fight!
All wet!

Our new fort

Tony has been working on Kaleb's new outside structure for the last few weeks. We have been enjoying the sand box for a while but the upper level, railing, slide and the newest addition, the ladder have all been added this weekend. We plan to add a roof, some swings and maybe a climbing wall as time goes on. So far it's a hit with Kaleb and the neighbor kids. (note: the railing is not finished and there will be more spindles soon, Tony has been getting lots of "code" reminders :)

Sand box and start of the upper level
Kaleb and Kaya enjoying the sand box
Daddy and Kaleb hanging out up high
Kaleb and Levi showing Andy the slide
Lainey, Kaleb and Levi putting some finishing touches on the carpentry.

4th of July Parades

Kaleb and I woke up early and went to the Hollyhock Parade in Ottawa Hills on 4th of July. It was small but lots of fun and Kaleb loved the noises, balloons and candy. We went home scooped up daddy and headed over the the East GR parade next. We ran into Misty and her family and Trish and her family. We all sat together and had a great time. Lots and Lots of candy!

4th of July continues

Megan, Jeremy and Kaya came over for a cook out on the afternoon of the 4th. We took a walk after dinner and played at Wilcox for a while. The kids and parents had a wonderful time!

Deck
Playing in the new sand box
time out turned into hang out
Our own 4th of July Parade
Lots of laughs on the swings

fireworks

Like 2 parades, dinner with friends and the park weren't enough... we threw in fireworks with grandma and grandpa too. :) We went to the Granville fireworks and they were pretty good. Easy in and out and something new to Kaleb this year. All around a very good 4th of July!

Julia came to visit!

Julia came home for a week to visit and pack up some stuff to take back to Colorado. She is working ion the lab already but starts her official PHD stuff in Aug at U of Colorado for Bio-psychology. She got to spend a few days hanging with Kaleb but most of these pictures are from Thursday July 3rd. We all played hooky and went to the zoo. It was great to visit with you Julia. We all miss you so much, but are proud of you and happy about school.

Julia and Abby
Upside-down Kaleb
the "Kimono Dragon"
Drumming

Petting the baby goatsCamel ride.
Julia on the zip line, way, way up there.
More drumming.
A nice group shot
Good bye Julia and Andy, we will miss you!