Landscaping

Another week, another post . . . what to discuss with the outside world this week? Our days this week have been pretty full of landscaping duties. Mainly weed pulling/spraying, raking and some minimal flower planting. It's nice to see the yard somewhat coming together, but we have a long way to go. Our yard was a mess when we moved in 2 years ago and due to finances and lack of knowledge we haven't done much other than occasionally water and mow. This year (on a very tight budget) we are trying to start making some improvements.

Monday we bought some gardening tools and potting soil and grass seed and compost. We've started pulling weeds and cutting out bushes and raking up pine needles. Right now on the curb we have 11 large trash bags to be picked up, plus our usually weekly trash (Joel's not convinced they are going to take it all.)It feel like there is still endless hours of work to be done. Hopefully we'll get to it eventually. Here is an after shot of the bush in the back yard that we removed yesterday, it really opens up the back and lets me see the kids on the swing-set from inside in the kitchen.This weekend/next weekend are both fairly busy, so I'm not sure how much else will get accomplished in the next few weekends, but we are going to try to be intentional about making progress. I really want to plant rose bushes, but I know nothing about roses, so I'm trying to learn before we invest in those.

Other than landscaping we are gearing up for our cruise. We are very excited, yet feel like it will be over before we know it. Joel and I will celebrate 10 years of wedded bliss in June and had always talked about wanting to take a trip for this momentous occasion. We found a great deal in January and with the help of my mom, his sister and mom and a few friends, we managed to get childcare for the kids covered and are taking 5 days 4 nights to cruise the Caribbean just the 2 of us. We haven't spent that much alone time together for a long time and are really looking forward to it (hopefully we won't get on each other's nerves too much!)

Here is a picture of the family we took on Sunday (per my sister's request). It isn't the greatest because we are kindof in the sun and the kids are all squinting, but Theo, here ya go. I'm hoping to get some cute family pics this weekend at Nathaniel/Rebekah's dedication. If they turn out, I will post those next week.