Showing posts with label home. Show all posts
Showing posts with label home. Show all posts

Tuesday, July 30, 2013

backyard remodel

I mentioned several posts back that our deck was worn out completely!
Yes- it was all worn out & rotted.


 It's a total bummer and an expensive fix.


We called our dear neighbor who is a contractor & he gave us a bid to build a 2 new sets of stairs & pour a patio. We didn't want to rebuild because our family is getting much larger & the deck could hardly hold us now!
As Brett was tearing away the rotten deck, he started to see just what was underneath- HUGE ROOTS. HUGE MASSIVE roots - it looked like Jumanji! was growing under the deck.He couldn't even budge these left over studs because roots are growing all around them, anchoring them down.
A hard reality came to us when we realized that the tree- it had to go. 
11 years ago when we bought this house we had some landscapers come out & they recommended we dig out 3 half dead trees out of the front yard (we did that) and... they recommended that we did out this one too. It was over grown then & ruining the rest of the yard, plus grown on top of the house etc. 
But.. I love this tree. 
So we kept it.
Until today- When it finally had to go.














 






View from the upstairs, back bedroom.







Just like that- 3 hours later
it's gone.
Dang 


To be completely honest it's not as bad as I thought it would be.
I can see now that the new patio & stairs will be beautiful. We will have a much bigger & better space in the back yard. We are planning some new digs for our birdie friends too. 
I can't bear to think of a winter without our downy woodpecker & his wife.... 
or the pretty little gold finches. We absolutely love our chickadees too.
-Sigh-


Well- now that the painful part is over-
let's hope the building starts soon!?


Tuesday, May 1, 2012

just a few pictures of all the fun

Seriously there is nothing better than having my two sweet grand babies here!
Here are a few pictures of some of the fun we had last month.


Brett & the boys!


Charlie having fun in Chloe's room with Hailey's ukulele.


Charlie in the family room window "up high."



Joey the sweet heart.
Oh words cannot describe how sweet this boy is!


Uncle Brian a big fan of nephews.


The night before Jack came home we went downtown & visited the new
 City Creek Center...
 oh my- good job Salt Lake City!


It's a world class shopping center with a creek running through it- beautiful & so fun.


There is a Disney Store there!
Trent was in love with the Muppet characters from the Muppet Movie.





We went to Kneaders for treats-- YUM.



Two photos- two sets of eyes shut. Oh well.


Charlie found some cute things as we explored.



REally cute & delicious cookies.


 We had so much fun- I waited to long to blog it all.
I really didn't want to- it just happened.
STill --- it was heaven on earth.


Monday, April 30, 2012

missionary jack- he came home!

Missionary Jack came home
 to a neighborhood of yellow balloons & welcome signs- it was a glorious reunion.


Actually-- before heading home we stopped at In & Out Burger. If you have been reading for a while, you may remember that an In & Out Burger was announced & started building before Jack left for Brazil. It's been up & running for years now- per Jack's request we headed there for lunch straight from the airport. 








It's been said- at least at our house- there is nothing quite like an American Cheeseburger.


Back at home we unloaded & headed into the house.



We got a better look at the shoes.



Jack is so proud of the miles he put on these babies.
Um- hello? We could have sent money or even a pair of shoes? boys?
Still- they are a constant reminder of the work. The work he has given the past two years of his life for. The work of spreading the good news- that Christ Lives!
Yes- we love these shoes.



Jack had presents waiting for him at home. He missed two Christmas's & two birthdays!



Mostly- Jack had presents for us.
Brazilian candy- purses- a hammock for dad. Lots of souvenirs- it was so much fun to see what he brought us.


I am so humbled.
Part of why I haven't written here is - how?
How do you describe such an experience? It is sacred. 
I am blessed.