Yard Projects

We have put off doing any inside improvements on our house during the summer to focus on the yard. It needed a lot of attention when we moved in, but after 6 months it is in passable condition. The lawn came in pretty nicely by the end of summer. The front flower bed was planted, but I will probably always be tinkering with that. We also started our herb garden in the front as well (close to the kitchen).   We planted 9 trees in the spring and I hope to add more in a few years. Next summer I want to add a vegetable garden and continue landscaping the front with perennials. 

Here are some pictures of our bigger projects. 

Sam bought several tons of river rock for landscaping. So far we have put in an arroyo to help with drainage down one side of our lot. It is also a perfect play area for toddlers. We will be adding a few more of these river rock features where the lawn keeps washing out in heavy rain. 

We still need to do more landscaping around the arroyo, but that will have to wait for next spring.

The big project was building the sand set, brick patio. It is finally complete. Well, yard projects are never really complete, but all the bricks are installed and we just put the fire ring in tonight.

 See all the work left to do? Back fill edges, move dirt piles around yard to fill in low spots, plants things other than turf grass, etc.

 Sam built a little landing pad outside the other walk out door in the basement.

Enjoying our new patio and fire ring. Who wants to come over for a fire?

Bike Ride at Black Hand Gorge

A few weekends ago we took a break from yard work and went for a little bike ride at Black Hand Gorge. We rode about 6 miles by which point Inga was getting pretty fussy about being on such a long bike ride. She might have also been a little chilly. It was much cooler in the gorge than at our house that day. Hopefully next summer we can get out for more bike rides.

 The baby seat is on Sam's bike because it was easier to install there when I didn't know what I was doing. I think I will have to get the extra iBert fork so we can move the seat between our bikes. Then Inga and Mommy can bike into town for after dinner ice cream!

12 Months!!

A whole year has gone by since Inga was born. She is quickly entering toddler-hood. Her communication skills get better everyday. She also has more and more preferences everyday. Along with preferences comes tantrums when she doesn't get what she wants. They usually aren't too bad because a one year old has such a short attention span. While not walking yet, she is on the move everywhere. She likes to sneak off to our bedroom to "read" our books that are currently stacked on the floor. She was also sneak off to her bedroom to take everything off her changing table and all the clothes out of her dresser. I know the toddler years can be difficult, but I am looking forward to them. She is just becoming so much fun to hang out with and take places.

I attempted photos on Friday (one day after her birthday), but it didn't go well.

 Sam then helped me with photos on Saturday before her birthday party. Not only was she in her birthday dress, but she was cooperative! Much better pictures.