July Update!!!

Landscaping Projects Complete!

Alright, I couldn't stand it. I had to get the front yard completed this summer. I just wanted to be able to drive up and think, Ah, home. Doesn't it look cute? Corey, Maddox & I spent 3 hours at Pahl's picking out all of the plants during their Twilight sale last Wednesday. I was able to do it all for under $300. I thought that was pretty good. There are Dark Horse Weigela, Daylilies, Concorde Barberry, Autumn Joy & Neon Sedum, Prairiefire Switchgrass, and Arborvitae. Of course, our little Newport Plum is still there too.
Thursday Maddox and I spend the day planting. Maddox was actually quite well behaved and allowed me to plant 5 plants in the morning with him, 8 while he slept and another 3 while he helped again. Corey got home at 7pm and I planted 3 more. Then it was past 9pm, so I had to get ready for work (I know, I know, yes I had to work that night - poor planning I guess). I planted the 20th plant Friday evening and today Maddox and Corey picked up the last 3 and I could hardly stand it, so I woke up at 1:30pm and planted the rest. It was just too exciting that I could hardly sleep. I'm sure I'll regret that tonight at work. Ugh.
Here's 4 of the 5 Maddox and I planted in the morning on the right side of the house. It's a Wine & Rose Weigela and Rosy Return & Stella D' Oro Daylilies.
Corey also mowed our new sod for the first time today (Saturday) with our new FREE lawn mower from Corey's Uncle Ted & Aunt Pat. THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!
Here's the completed look from the front this evening.

And the side.

I'm really tempted to finish up the back with plants too, but I am holding out and waiting until after the deck gets done next spring. It will just be easier that way, but I thought I'd take a few pictures of our stamped concrete patio.

There's a 14' circle that we're planning on putting a movable fire pit in the center of with chairs around it. You can also see our Spring Snow Crabapple too.

This is the part that will be under the deck. You can even see one of the circles where a footing is for the future deck (there are 7 footings under all of the rock and patio).
Alright, on to my pride and joy, Maddox.
Maddox has been pretty much status quo. He's still talking more and more each day. Sometimes it surprises me what comes out of his mouth. Anyhoo, as you can see I splurged the other day at Target and bought him his first tricycle. It's a Radio Flyer one and he loves it!

About a week ago, Rowan spent two days with us while Angie & Kyle had a much needed vacation. It was the first time they were away from Rowan overnight and Rowan did GREAT!!!

He came Thursday night and I had already had plans to go down to Cannon to see Beks because she was home for a visit, so I packed up the boys and we headed to Mill Street. They shared a grilled cheese, chips, some blueberries and milk. They were quite well behaved. We got home around 9:30 and had movie night (Happy Feet - that's always their choice) and then we went to bed. Rowan slept from 10:15-8:15 - way to go Rowan! I didn't even hear a peep out of him.

Friday morning we had breakfast and headed to the splash park for a terrific time!!!

It was a HOT day, so we had to take frequent beverage breaks.

The boys had a blast playing in the sprayers and at the playground. It's a great place to relax and cool down.


That night we went to the Ugly Mug for dinner after Corey got home. Then we headed back to the house for Movie Night part II.
This is just the crazy boys after bath time.
Movie Night II included some delicious popcorn. Notice Cooper on the right trying to sneak a few bites.

Here are Maddox & Rowan doing the "Happy Feet Dance". There are a few spots in the movie where they always seem compelled to dance.
Saturday morning we had a delicious pancake breakfast with blueberries.
The boys loved it!!!
Cheese! Saturday after nap time we headed down to Cannon for the 150th anniversary of Spring Garden Church and stayed at Mom & Dad's for all of the festivities. I forgot my camera.

Here's Maddox & Rowan being silly Saturday morning after breakfast.
The weekend before above Corey & Maddox went to the lake while I slept (work weekend). They just had a blast!

Here's Maddox wrapped up in Corey's shirt. Apparently he said he was cold, so he held Corey's shirt on like a cape.
There were fish EVERYWHERE and Maddox got to touch them while he swam.
We've found many uses for the shovels & rakes Grandma Michelle bought from landscaping.



And I'll conclude with this lovely shot of Maddox's EXTREMELY FULL diaper (thank God he didn't sit down!!!). I'm glad to say I was not home for this one!!!!

Final Two Fundraiser Events!!!

We've posted our final two fundraisers for the DuBar Dolls Breast Cancer 3-day fundraising efforts. We might raise enough to be able to have my dad walk with us too, so get your running shoes and chef's hat on! We're doing a First Annual 5K in Cannon Falls and we're also doing another Pampered Chef catalog party with 30% of sales going towards the team (there's also a FREE pinch bowl set with an order of $60 or more). Check out the DuBar Dolls Blog for details!!!

Landscaping!!!!

Well, it's looking more and more like a real home. We assembled quite a crew last weekend and got all of our landscape edging/plastic/rock installed along with a Newport Plum and Spring Snow Crab Apple tree. It was a lot of work, but it all looks great. Here's Andy standing next to my cute little plum tree.

We also had a 325 sq ft stamped concrete patio installed in the back. I love it!!! Here's a couple of pics where you can kind of see it. I'll try to get better ones soon.
Maddox got a rake & shovel set to play with for the day from Grandma Michelle. He was having a blast working in the dirt.

Like father, like son.

There's the crab apple tree in the back.
Eatin' pizza for lunch. I suppose everyone needs a break sometime, right?

Isn't this cute! Jenna was so proud that she got both grandmas jumping in their shovels at the same time.

Here's the right side of the house. Not too exciting, but doesn't it look nice. We now have sod, so I'll have to get a picture of that too.
And the left side. As we add more plants and our sod grows there will be updates.

Drivin' the "digger" is Maddox's favorite thing to do with Grandpa.

Thanks to all of our TERRIFIC family members that helped to get all of our landscaping projects done. We couldn't have done it without you!!

After working all day, Corey mustered up the energy to head to an 80's party down in Cannon.

Meet Grady James!!!! Katie & Danny delivered a beautiful baby boy on the 3rd on July. Aren't they a cute little family?
Maddox wasn't into us trying to get another shot of him in the bassinet.
4th of July!!!

We went to the Apple Valley parade.Maddox had a blast listening to all of the music and seeing the horses.
He did a lot of waving at whatever went by.
BBQ!!! Saturday evening we went over to Angie & Kyle's for dinner. The boys played in the pool (hence Maddox being naked - we didn't bring his trunks).

After dinner we took the boys on a walk around the neighborhood. It was such a gorgeous night.

Pictures of the boys at dinner. Aren't they both just adorable?

Well, not much new to update for our family lately. Just hanging out post vacation and working on our house. Lots of outdoor projects done, so hopefully not too many more to go.

Maddox is doing great as always. He's busy with swimming lessons & gymnastics classes this summer and loves them both. He's almost 21 months!!!