Adam's birthday

Here's a few pictures of the progress we've made in the yard in the past few weeks.  We had two loads of fill dirt come for the driveway and used some of it to even out the back yard.  Adam was excited for the dump trucks to come.  But he learned from watching the road construction at the old house that after the load is dumped there's a very load "bang" from the back swinging against the empty truck---thus the covered ears. :) 
On Labor day weekend, we put together a new swing set.  Donna and Wayne brought it down as well as the skid loader.  Wayne spread the dirt in the drive and moved some big rocks for me.  Then we put the swing set together.  It was a busy weekend, but satisfying to get some much awaited things accomplished! 

Adam turned 4 this week and we rented a bounce house for the weekend.  We invited family over on Saturday and then friend on Sunday.  The boys had a blast and Alex says he wants one for his birthday too.  I tried explaining it wouldn't be so fun in December. :)

first load

second load

progress after first day of assembly.  Also, see the green grass!?

Adam opening birthday gifts.

Erin wanted a picture taken too!

Adam helped me frost the cake.  He's into Disney's new movie, Planes, even though he's never seen it.

More presents.....Spiderman underwear!

Here's some of the landscaping I've gotten to in the last week or so.   Mom ripped off the ivy from the corner....well most of it.  We planted some hydrangias in the corner and I put a couple october plants in the front.  Also see the solar lights?   In the back, I finally moved some plants (lilies mostly) to fill in the corner against the deck.  I've also done ALOT of rock moving.  We found a pile of rocks in the woods and it probably had 100 rocks in it!  So I used the big ones near the swing between the trees and to redo the fire pit.  Small to medium ones are used around the house.  There's still lots more to sort through, but I'm very happy with how they look.  Oh, and it's so nice to see some of the grass I planted coming up and looking nice and green.  This week I plan on planting more and getting it started.  I still have more flowers to move, but things are starting to feel more homey. :)

Big rocks.....lots and lots of big rocks.

fire pit