First Sprinkler run of the year...

After another jam packed weekend, the boys finally got to play in the sprinklers for a bit. It warmed up nicely so it was approaching the 80's by Sunday afternoon. We were working in the lawn, getting the rock bed ready for rocks and FIL was measuring out the sprinkler system. The last step of the day was to test the water pressure while they were running, so on they went.





Not only did the boys have a good time, we also were able to find 2 heads that had been buried, this hopefully means that there will be a less work to do as far as re-routing the lines to get coverage over the whole yard.

So this week we are in lawn prep mode. Today Ty and I will finish clearing the rock bed and get it ready for the rocks that are being delivered on Tues.
Tues we are going to shoot one more round of Round-Up on the lawn to kill the mix of grass and weeds that are currently growing.
Then FIL will also be add a sprinkler or two and replacing all the heads.
By this weekend, that will have naturalized and we'll till the whole yard, mixing the old dead in and letting it be natural mulch/compost.
Then we seed and lay another layer of compost on and hopefully we'll get grass!

Progress, slow getting there...

With the rain staying away today, it was time to start moving some rock. The rock that we have inside the new curbs is a bit to small, so we are moving it to the flower beds. Round-Up was sprayed, weed block laid down and the rocks shoveled on top.

Before...

After...

Planning on putting in some potted flowers once we get the sprinklers figured out, we'll run a drip system off the flower bed bank.

Then we had another landscaping person stop by to get a quote on the lawn and sprinklers, so we'll see where that goes.

This weekend we'll be working on prepping the ground between the curbs so we can get the new rocks delivered and spread out. (If anyone is interested in helping, there's pizza involved.)

So progress is a happenin'.

Curbing in, much still to do...

More Birthday Crafty over at the crafty site...



Today we started the grand front yard project. We have a lot of work to do still, but it's getting planned out and things are coming together.

Official Before pictures...

Today's project was to install the curbing to define the lawn and hold in the new rock beds.
Guys at work.

Forming the curbs.

Finished curbing...

Stone the boys helped make to stick in the new rock bed.

Rock that will be going in...

Next on the list are the sprinklers. We've started testing what is there and thought we were in pretty good shape, just needing some new heads.
But after testing the flower box set, we sprung a weird leak, and the dig is on.

We are hoping that this new cap will solve the problem, but can't test for a day or so because of the new curbs.

It's a start!

Cody's New Do

Finally took Cody into get a hair cut yesterday, let them us the clippers, on the longest setting, and she did a pretty good job. The best part is that he let her spike it and he really likes it that way, YAY!
In other news, we received back the proofs from Cody's spring pictures at school. Man am I glad we didn't have to buy these! I can guarantee they said "Smile!" This is what we got.

So, no spring pictures for us, but we didn't really need them anyway.

Spring Break

Spring break and Cody's Birthday all rolled into one jam packed week!

Thursday we went down to the Jelly Belly Factory. It was busy with spring breakers and school trips, but the wait really wasn't all that bad.

Waiting for the tour.

Boys playing the Bean Bamboozled game. Two Jelly Bellys that look the same, only one is a regular flavor and the other is something very disgusting.

After the factory tour. The videos are fun to watch, but watching them work is better. To bad we went when they were doing inventory, so no production today.

Mr. Jelly Belly with his bunny ears on.

Friday we headed down to Manteka for a long over do family reunion with my sister DeDe and her son Jack. Trying to find a place in between our houses, we met at the Bass Pro Shop. This place is very cool, even if you don't really hunt or fish.
Looking back at the entrance.

One of the walls in the entrance.

Once in side we headed back to the big fish tank.
Dad conversing with the bear.

Checking out the trout.

The big tank of fish.

The tank and waterfalls, you can walk behind them to the 2nd floor.

Upstairs we found the shooting gallery, pretty fun.

After picking up some goodies, including some amazing fudge, we went across the parking lot to Red Robin for lunch. Before we knew it, time had flown by and it was time to go.

Tim, DeDe, me and Dad.

Saturday was Cody's party at the climbing center. We haven't taken the boys climbing before, but thought it would be a fun thing to try and something new. After a slight timing issue we arrived and had a great time.

The kids lined up and listening to the rules.

Uncle Eli on the boulder walls, getting a feel for the place.

Waiting to be harnessed to climb the big walls.

Ty playing with Uncle Stu.

Cody was the first to go, up he went! He did really well for his first time out.

Cousin Cody ringing the bell at the top.

Cody's friend Ethan making it to the top.

Cody climbing up the other section, while Cousin Ashley makes her way to the top.

Tyler's most favorite person!

Playing in the kids cover after climbing for a bit.

Tyler on the rope swing.

Ready for a much needed snack.

Yay! The cake made it over in one piece!

Blowing out the candle.

That evening we had the whole family over for dinner. After we opened presents we celebrated his Birthday one more time with ice cream cones.

Then came Sunday, with everyone driving home, we opened Easter baskets.

Then the boys found all the eggs the bunny had left.

We finished off the weekend with Sunday lunch at Keith's family's house. It was a great week, very busy and a bit on the tiresome side, but we had a lot of fun!