Ceder decking

I am so excited to say that we finished the first landing of the deck and it looks great! It has been so nice to be able to walk right out there and the dogs love not having to jump through beams to get inside the door. Mav and I work for the next few days and then gardening takes over on Saturday. But I am sure we will be back to working on the deck in NOtime.

Deck, Deck, and more Deck

SO...here we are, after another day's work. I think we made great progress today!!!! We are hoping to put in a full day tomorrow and then head to Bismarck for some more supplies. We both can't believe how big this deck is going to be!!! I will post tomorrow and hopefully then be able to give a better idea about what the design is going to be like. So far I have only managed to mess 1 thing up and I feel horrible - but Mav says the deck is still structurally sound (he just says to stay off of the southeast corner). j/k :)

On to our new ghetto doggie door...I was working in my office in the basement and decided that I had better go up and let the pups out. I had opened the door earlier but had pulled the screen so that I could get some nice, warm fresh air without the bugs. (Sidenote-I have already been visited by a bird-size bumble bee. I am not kidding.) When I came up I discovered that the pups had already let THEMSELVES out into the backyard. Duncan had pulled, pawed, and used his teeth and managed to pull (i.e. rip) the screen door open enough to get out. So this pic is my "temporary" solution to the bottom of the screen that Duncan had already chewed anyway. No way do these puppies rule the house around here...

Taking shape

We have been working all day on the deck, getting that much closer to being able to actually build the deck. We (YES, I did help!!!) finished sloping the ground around the house, installed drain tile, put down landscape fabric, and hauled in rock. We are about to start putting some of the frame of the deck together. I am soooo excited to able to enjoy my deck this summer!!

Boys and their toys

Mav and I drove to Alexandria, MN this weekend to pick up his new toy. I took this pic with my phone so it isn't the best but it still gives you a good look at his new bike. We bought it used but it was exactly what Mav was looking for and came with all the extras he wanted. I am very much enjoying Mav's excitement about actually having a bike and the smile that it has put on his face! :)

Mav's new post garden...

They are coming up everywhere!!! Mav and I were laughing at our 12 seemingly random posts sticking out of the ground - Mav finished setting posts today and although it still doesn't look much like a deck, there is progress!!

Little girls and scissors...it never ends well

I HAD to post this pic of my niece Jasmine as she apparently found the scissors at grandma's house and was in the mood to give herself a new haircut. Guess she was jealous of my new bangs...

Seth's big day

Last Sunday was Seth's First Communion. We went to Mass to celebrate this awesome moment with him. We took a bunch of pics afterwards, which he wasn't too excited about but I think we got a few good ones of us together. Then Tara had brunch over at her house afterwards and we had a really fun time just hanging out with family, eating (of course!), and watching the kids run around.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BRIELLE!

We went home to Williston this weekend so that we could help Brielle celebrate her 4th birthday and to be there for Seth's First Communion. We went home Saturday morning and spent the afternoon at Steph's with the kids and Mav's family. Brielle had a ladybug theme party and of course Steph made another cute cute cake. Brielle is getting sooo big...Mav and I were just commenting that she doesn't look like a "baby" anymore. She is quite the little lady. She has such a sweet little heart and smile!

Seth had his First Communion this last Sunday and so we also wanted to be home for that Mass. I will post pictures as soon I can get them from Judy - of course Mav and I forgot our camera. I attribute that to the fact that I have a hard time functioning at 7:30 in the morning!!

Possibly the best recipe I have ever heard of!!!

I wanted to draw everyone's attention to one of my favorite blogs (thanks Jessie!!) - Our Best Bites. It has this amazing recipe for Coconut Banana Bread with Lime Glaze. I love coconut and have never thought about doing this! Can you imagine Grandma's recipe for Banana Bread (THE only and best recipe) with coconut and lime glaze?!?!? Here's a direct link to the recipe if anyone wants to give it a try:
http://www.ourbestbites.com/2010/04/coconut-banana-bread-with-lime-glaze.html

Vexation and Taxation

It's over and done with and I waited until the last minute!!! I decided (against my better judgement) to help my dad tackle his taxes this year. My and Mav's taxes are pretty simple and so I am never really worried about finishing those on time. My dad's however were another story. I have contemplated donating my accounting services to my dad throughout the year as I knew that this tax day was coming. He doesn't store a SINGLE thing electronically. But I never made the time to actually sit down and get everything organized, so two weeks ago my dad brought me his records in a cardboard box and plastic file folder. I was actually impressed as he had kept almost everything he needed and made a good effort to do some accounting. But I must say that I don't think I have ever been happier to have this day come, because ultimately it means that I AM DONE!!