Never-ending Yard Work

That's the theme of our lives, really. Yard, yard, yard, and the only one loving it is Nolan. If you think you're sick of reading about it, then think how I feel about doing it! This past week was spent planting our last tree, moving rocks to make the creek bed, spreading massive amounts of weed fabric ($$$, ug), hauling bark from the trailer and truck we borrowed, and spreading it out. I worked so hard in the yard that I think I felt my testosterone levels rise (but not that much). Justin took a brief nap while putting Nolan to sleep and he came out to find the trailer emptied. I was proud of myself... it's the least I could do for his birthday! We're really close to being done. If any of you are considering buying a home and putting in a yard yourself, run the other way! If any of you are considering putting in a dry creek bed, just say over and over again like a mantra: I don't need this in my life! We're pretty proud of ourselves that after nearly 3 years of working on our yard, we're nearly finished. Now we can start maintaining it. These pics show our progress:

I look at the picture above and think, "What are you smiling about?"

For Justin's birthday we got a baby-sitter and enjoyed dinner out together (with Ezra since he's such a little tike). We also went to a free ballroom dance lesson. It was all going great until they asked us to switch partners. I quickly learned that Justin is an amazing dancer! Dan, Preston, and Blair are really no match. Dan seemed to be frightened to touch my hand, I don't think Preston could have moved on the beat if his life depended on it, and I knew immediately that Blair was nearly drunk. Wow, what breath that man had! Justin was disgusted when he looked over and saw him continually trying to hug me. I'm talking long hair, thick cologne (but barely detectible over the alcohol), touchy-feely. Do I need to go on? Luckily, studio-owner lady saw my plight and switched partners so that hubby and me could be together again. She later told us that Blair is their resident alcoholic who installed the dance floor. So thank you, Justin, for sweeping me off my feet in the proper way! You really know how to dance. I'm not kidding though, it was a fun date. We all enjoyed his peanut butter dark chocolate cake. It was so nice of Nolan to sing and blow out the candles for Dad.

Here are this week's random pictures: