This is my first year in Arizona that we have had beautiful, green grass all winter long! Maintaining the grass here is like a secret that no one is willing to share, so I haven't ever had huge success stories with Arizona grass. The sod we laid last fall had the winter grass already grown in, and the summer bermuda grass embedded that will come out in the summer when it gets to hot and the winter grass dies. It was basically fool proof, so we couldn't mess it up too bad. The bonus is that I found a fertilizer that has kept it green and beautiful all winter long - a backyard miracle!
Landscaping was one of the least fun things we have ever done. And to think we paid thousands of dollars to put ourselves through that misery blows my mind! But at least it's done and over with (and no more dirt!), and we don't have to worry about it anymore. We don't have a huge yard - I am the first to admit that. But that was part of the plan, since we like to do as little yard work as possible. Also, the front grass is artificial turf, which was such a great purchase! So low maintenance and beautiful all year long! Here's how our yard is looking spring 2014...
Sunday, March 30, 2014
February Girls' Weekend & Highlights
Back in February, I got to cash in a Christmas present that Brandon gave me - a girl's weekend in Las Vegas with Nicole. I flew out Friday afternoon and came back Sunday night. Our husbands treated us to a five-star hotel (Aria) and front row seats to the Michael Jackson "One" by Cirque du Soleil (Brandon bought the tickets and actually didn't know that they were front row seats, but we will give it to him anyway).
The highlights were the simple things like
- eating when/where/what we wanted, totally uninterrupted
- sleeping uninterrupted for 2 nights
- getting ready uninterrupted
- shopping without kids
- delicious food - Garrett's popcorn, pink berry, crepes, Maggiano's, etc.
- catching up with Nicole
Brandon made me think that taking care of the kids all weekend was a piece of cake, although when I got home, I could tell he was exhausted. Three cheers for Brandon on taking the kids to church all by himself! The kids hardly missed me at all, but when I talked on FaceTime with Kendall, she was so ticked!! She wouldn't even smile at me, she was so upset I was "stuck in the phone".
On the way there, I sat to a nice couple and they asked me if I was Mormon. The wife wanted to tell me that she had just gone through the Gilbert Temple Open House, and she had lots of questions! We chatted for an hour about all the different aspects of the temple and general Gospel questions. Her tennis partner is a member, so I am hopeful that she will pick up where we left off. However, I am kicking myself for not getting her contact info to send the missionaries. Truthfully, that part didn't even cross my mind until 30 minutes after I got off the plane. I had forgotten the most important part! I am slowly learning how to share the gospel and hopefully will do better next time.
Other February highlights:
- Kendall can roll her tounge and the big kids can't (now they can because they have been practicing)
- Trip to the Zoo with the Resch's and Wallbrecht's - friends from Chicago; Rachel kept calling Lucas, Lucifer, and it was cracking me up!
- Beautiful winter weather 70's and even 80's (we already brought out the sprinkler for under the tramp); this winter has been unseasonably warm, which makes me nervous for summer
- Taking Kendall to the pet store - so simple, but she was SO happy
- Pink Chick Fil-A ice cream Valentine's week
- Rachel was so thrilled with her class valentine's - cupid's arrows; however, I did learn that something more simple next year would be a better idea!
- Andrew's weekly playgroup swap kicked off, and he loves his new friends
- A bummer for the ENTIRE month was allergies for me! It stays in my eyes, and I wear glasses and rub my eyes all month. I even tried all the different meds, but it was relentless this year.
| ZOO - Owen, Lucas, Andrew, Rachel & Carter |
| Lots of laughs on this trip - for instance, we have no idea who the child is 2nd from the right, but he might as well join our picture! |
| Good friends while Rachel is at school |
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| Pet Store - Kendall loved it! |
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| Pink ice cream somehow tastes even better! |
| Cupid's Arrows, Class valentines |
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| Ready for Valentine's Day at school! |
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| Look at those big ole' front teeth coming in! |
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| Outside fun! |
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| My first try at chalkboard typography (I looked at someone's chalk art online, and then tried to do something similar). It was really fun to do! |
Saturday, March 22, 2014
Andrew, 3.5
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