** Our Cabana :-) **

The deck is just about complete (with the exception of the stairs...)

We blocked off the opening to where the stairs will go and we've been enjoying our "almost finished" deck during this beautiful weather!

Over the weekend we set up a cabana style tent to shade the sun and provide shelter during the little rainstorm. It worked perfectly! Chris and I have been sitting out there late at night to relax and to drink our coffee in the am! Bria joined me with her hot chocolate the other morning :-) I wish we could keep this weather all summer! Here are some pics:

Memorial Day Weekend

We had a fun Memorial Day Holiday. Complete with yardwork, garden projects (Bria and I planted sunflower seeds) and a cookout! Here are a few pics.









A kiddie pool and a slip-N-slide helped to cool a hot day!














And don't forget the Nintendo Wii in the air conditioned family room... CJ is helping his cousin Cam box a tough opponent ;-)










Bria and CJ LOVED playing with their cousins.

Painting the Swingset

I finished my second paint project of 2007!! Here's the "Before" and "After".

We got the swingset from a neighbor when they moved. I didn't think it would be a problem since they got HOA approval for it... I was wrong. We got a violation notice from the HOA because it was primary colors and they require wood/earth tones. (never mind the fact it's behind a 6' privacy fence... 4" of it show)

BUT... where there's a will there's a way. I painted it with Krylon Fusion paint that is made for plastic.

Not bad if I do say so myself... At least CJ approves! haha

Now wish us luck as it goes through the Architectural Review Board process! :-)

Other News...

CJ has cut two top molars! I thought he was drooling a lot lately.
















Bria is getting better and better at tying her own shoes.










We spent the day Tuesday at a farm for a class field trip. It couldn't have been a prettier day!


















BTW... That's a fake cow! But the calves above are real ;-)

Ken's 40th Birthday!!

Ken turned 40 at the end of April.
I can't believe my little brother has hit the big Four Oh!
We celebrated last Sunday.
Happy Birthday Ken!!!

Toys R Us Confession...

OK, I've got a confession to make.

I LOVE going to Toys R Us! Possibly even more than Bria does (shh.. don't tell her that)

I don't know why; they have poor customer service, they are over-crowded, they don't have great deals and the merchandise isn't in great shape either.

But it's something about the huge selection of toys... it makes me feel like a kid again! I could spend hours browsing through their aisles.

I stopped in last night to inquire about a new bicycle tire for Bria's 14" bike. They didn't have any bicycle parts and there was no one available to answer my questions.

So, I should've been in and out right? Wrong! I browsed through the Barbie aisle, the Thomas The Train stuff, the Little Tykes picnic tables, electric cars, hobby horses, doll houses, and outside gear. I could've gone longer but I began to worry about the time. I forced myself to walk past the DVD's and storybooks and proceed to checkout. I almost bought a Little Tykes picnic table, I went back to them three times!

I left with 3 plastic trucks and a factory mill for the sandbox. I also couldn't resist this cute little water/sand playset on sale for under $10.

I told myself the kids would use it all season and it might be gone by Memorial Day!
Uh, right.