Green Grass

Thanks to our many family and friends, we had a very productive (and busy!) Memorial Day weekend. At 6 a.m. Saturday morning our 4 pallets of sod arrived and we busily got to work getting it laid. Because of the recent downpour of rain that we've had, the ground had to be re-raked and leveled. Throughout the morning, we had everyone show up to prepare the ground and lay the sod. Mom, Katie and I also planted our garden and I planted a couple of new shrubs in our front flower bed. It's slow, hard work but the fruits of our labor is beginning to pay off! Katie planted this tomatoe plant all by herself!

Shad and Casey building side forms and leveling the ground

Let the work begin!

Jesse and Diesel were our official "grass testers"

Judy rolled the sod so that we could easily grab it

Even Jessie and Briana got in on the action....

Justine and Matt... hard at work

We had a few weeds that needed pulling so Tys helped Judy out with that...

You can't have all work and no play :) Jeff took the kids for rides in his tractor

Almost finished....

Yay! We have grass!! I never knew how much I would love looking out my kitchen window and seeing green grass :) I'm pretty sure the dogs approve too!

A huge THANKYOU to everyone that helped!!

First Time Sandwich

For lunch today, Katie made her very own sandwich. This was a first time thing for her and she did a great job! All I could think was how big she's getting... sigh...

Rain

So far, we're having a busy and productive week. Casey is busy trying to line up work and making contacts with businesses; today he is doing a welding job in Wells. We are enjoying having him home (and having his help in getting things done around the house!) but, are also praying for steady work. On Tuesday, he and I took the kids to Elko for the day. While he did some business things, I took the kids to the story/craft time at the library. I admit I was a little nervouse about taking 3 kids to the library by myself... but, they did great and having Trenton in the stroller was a huge help! We also did some shopping and took the kids to their favorite wooden park. The rest of this week has been rainy and cloudy; I appreciate the rain because that means I don't have to water our trees and my sunflowers by hand (we're still working on our watering system!) In between the rain, I've gotten some work done for Ken & Judy and, some weeding done in our own yard. This Saturday will be an awesome day as, that's when our sod is expected to arrive.. YAY!! Trenton decided to help himself to a cold beverage :)

D.L. Welding

Here are a few pictures that Casey took while on a job site. Dean and another worker that I don't know

Travis welding... check out the sign!

Concrete

Yesterday was our big day for pouring concrete and making our backyard patio! Casey, my dad and Joe worked hard and it turned out great!! I stepped out of my "comfort zone" and helped also :) One of three loads of concrete

My new pair of BIG BLACK RUBBER BUCKLE BOOTS! Since my childhood I've always said that I would NEVER wear black rubber boots.... This is proof that you "never say never!"

Getting nice and dirty

My dad with load #3

The ever-talented Joe working AND talking on the phone!

I love our new patio... thanks guys for your hard work!! Next on the list is grass :)

This week

Here's a run down of our week since my last post:

Tuesday ~ Mom and I took the kids and Briana to Elko for the day. We had originally planned on going to their favorite wooden park but the weather was too cold and windy. So, instead we went to the "big library" for story/craft time. I signed the kids up for the summer reading program which, includes activities and an ice cream party. They love books so I figure this will be something that they'll enjoy! We also did some shopping, played in Toyland at Burger King and had ice cream!

Wednesday ~ I cleaned house, worked at Judy & Ken's for a while and started laundry; a typical busy, productive day. Casey's job at the power plant finished up around noon so he made it home by dinner time. We're happy to have him home for a while but, are also praying fervently for more work. He has a couple of jobs lined up but, have to wait for the bids and paperwork to go through. Our business add has been in our local paper for 2 weeks now and we're beginning to receive calls. Some of them are people actually looking for work... "are you hiring" I have to laugh because we're trying to just support ourselves at this point! LOL

Thursday ~ Casey spent much of his day going around to local businesses, putting out cards etc. And, working on his tractor. With no success at getting it running, he useded our neighbor, Jeff's tractor to begin moving dirt for our upcoming patio. The boys spent much of the day outside playing on the 4-wheelers and tractors. Katie spent much of her day inside playing Princesses and "going to the beach". I also found a newly crayoned piece of artwork on her bedroom wall. When Casey and I asked her about it she animatedly explained that it was her new "growth chart" so we can see how big she gets. True, it really does look like a growth chart. I couldn't help but laugh inside :) "next time", I explained, "just ask us and we can buy you one, instead of coloring on your walls"

Friday ~ we are pouring concrete for a patio! Here are this morning's photos... I am obviously taking a break from manual labor while posting these....

Our big helper, Tys

Visit from Mom and Dad

We had a great weekend with Mom, Dad and Marie and Casey! Everyone arrived around the same time on Friday evening (which was pretty amazing considering they were all coming from 3 different states) We spent Friday night and Saturday hanging out with them at the house, celebrating Mom & Casey's birthdays and, Casey & Dad planted trees along our property. The guys also worked on Casey's tractor and went 4-wheeling with Marie. Time went by too quickly but, it was enjoyable while we had them here! Per Katie's request, Grandpa made us his famous waffles for breakfast

Just back from POST, Joe came for breakfast and brought along his new favorite coffee from his favorite donut shop :) Congratulations to Joe, who graduated near top of his class at the academy! We celebrated his success by having a party/lunch at the Cox's on Sunday afternoon.

Mom got to open her birthday and Mother's Day presents

And, she and Casey got to blow out their birthday candles

Katie and her Auntie Ri

Trenton and Oma got to do some "zrooooming" outside

All dressed up for church...