How to Landscape for free (with only minimal theft)

I have mentioned before that Fisher is very creative and hates to spend money... that combination makes our life interesting... especially when it comes to upgrading our home. 

Exhibit A:  Fisher want to put a Mexican Fan Palm in the front yard.  First he needs a tree, so last year at his Boss's Easter dinner, he took a seed from her Mexican Fan Palm (that is the stealing part) and planted it in our garden or "the nursery" as he likes to call it.  Amazingly, we now have quite a large Fan palm ready to be moved to the front yard. So...

First we dig it up.

Then the root ball starts to break up... What can we use
that we have on hand - ah ha!  Seran wrap saves the root ball

Then we strain our backs getting it out of the hole
and onto our "wheelbarrow."  Oh wait, we don't own a
wheelbarrow, so we put it on our folded up bike cart. 

Finally we roll it to the front yard and plop it in the whole.

I will let you know if it survives!

Conferences and life in between

Last weekend Fisher and I both wanted to attend a a day long Stroke Rehabilitation conference here in Phoenix.  We were very lucky to have a favorite babysitter volunteer to come spend the day with the girls, so on Thursday we drove to Mesa and picked up Grandma C from the airport!  We loved having her for a visit, even if it was very short.  Berry is a big fan of Grandma, especially after she gave her a first taste of ice cream!

Open Wide for ice cream

 During the short visit we enjoyed playing at home (it's still too hot to be out) and Grandma was able to see the dress rehearsal for the primary program.

Grandma entertained Curly and Lou with "goldfish"
for their lake.  Yum!

We love Grandma!

We took her to the airport Sunday morning.
She took a family picture on our way out
the door.

A friend of ours who has outgrown her dress-ups decided that the Lake girls could put them to good use.  Curly and Lou immediately dug in and donned fairy wings for all.  We had fun in the backyard.

Cute Berry is exploring the house and having so much fun.  She recently discovered the joy of the washing machine.  Excuse her loose diaper - she has had a terrible rash.

 Lou insists that the exclamation point on this "BOO" sign is an "i" and so much like the good fairies in Sleeping Beauty, we take turns changing it with our magic wands.  "Make it an !"  "Make it an i"... I find it very cute.

 Today between General Conference session, Fisher and the girls released some energy with a giggly tickle session.

I don't often wax sentimental on my blog, but while I should have been making my menu plan and shopping list, I am sitting here crying and grateful with a painful lump in my throat after reading my friend's remembrance of a very special lady that we both knew.

Reading it reminded me of how fragile and uncertain life can be and that our relationships with our family and friends are more important than any other silly distractions that can take our time.  I also reflect on the many friends I have made through my life and the impact for good that they have had and still have on me.  Not just friends but family members and in-laws and so on... People are oh so important.  I don't think I tell those people often enough how much I love them and appreciate them.... It is good to be reminded of what matters most.

Laboring

A late labor day post.  We spent labor day - laboring.  It's actually been going on for the past month, but here is an update on the labor we have been doing.

Berry has worked hard to advance from the belly scoot that she was using a few weeks ago to a flow blown crawl.  She is fast enough to get into trouble AND with two older sisters leaving a trail of choking hazards wherever they go, it will be a miracle if she makes it to her first birthday!

Lou is working hard at preschool, which finally started this week!

So cute in her new school outfit

 Fisher is making changes in his labor and this week we enjoyed a goodbye party with colleagues from his old place of employment.

A nice card and gift from friends we will miss

 Our Labor day weekend project was a small bathroom update involving painting and putting up beadboard... a week later, we still aren't done, but will be soon!

This is just the dry fit of the beadboard.

 I have been working hard to get more organized, particularly in the girls bedrooms

Berry liked playing in the huge cube shelf we put together

Fun "rain gutter" bookshelves.  Google it.

 We did take a break from our labors to have some fun on labor day.  We hosted a barbecue and enjoyed the evening with friends.

Making Root Beer - so fun!

Sparklers!

 Last random picture - Lou having fun with the camera today before church. 

All out of Quiet

This morning, I was doing dinner prep and Lou was apparently playing restaurant in the play area adjoining the kitchen.
Lou asks, "Mom, What would you like today?"
I replied, "I would like peace and quiet."
Confused pause
"Mom, we don't have that."
My response, "Oh, okay."
Calculative pause.
"Well, actually we do have peas."