This looks like the beginning of a beautiful relationship!

The orchard has officially begun. The neighbor's told us that our orchard area is where all the sand from the well was dumped. Soo..... we are digging out huge holes, filing with dirt, etc and hauling the sand out. Eventually we'll fill everything in with more top soil, but one step at a time.

I'm so excited. Not too many years until I"ll have my very own pears!

We believe in slave labor!!!

I really do exist. I even help dig holes, plant seeds, and weed. I'm just always behind the camera!

FHE

Tonight for FHE we went to the firestation. Our town is having a push for family time and they have different activites going on all month. Tonight was the fire station, so the boys got to see a ladder truck up close! They loved it.

Here's My birthday boy. Warren turned 5 years old yesterday! What a day we had. We took him to Chuckie Cheese to start the day, had pictures taken at JCP's after lunch, and then his favorite pizza for dinner. By the end of the day he was exhausted!
I really need to stop trying to make cute cakes. This years robot was just sooo much fun! I only cried once while decorating it.Thanks again Amber, these were a favorite! Just a picture of the family

James enjoyed Warren's presents as much or more than Warren did!

A little fun at Chuckie Cheese. We had saved our points from the last 3 times we've gone and finally had enough to get the gum ball machine Warren's been eyeing.

More Changes and the Money Pit

We started clearing a spot to have an orchard. Only to discover that we are sitting on top of a gravel pit. We are having to rethink our approach. We'll either have to bring in lots of soil or find a new home for the orchard.

Greg started working on our dead lawn. The first day we attacked with rakes and discovered that having a 1/4 acre lawn requires larger tools. We rented a dethatcher. Best $20 we've ever spent. Greg had the whole lawn done in an hour. Now to fix the 20 year old neglected sprinkler system.
Greg moved some of the sandy soil from our orchard spot to fill in Lake Erie in our driveway. It's much better now. I don't have to put on a life jacket to leave the house.

Warren's my hard worker. While Greg was filling in the driveway hole Warren decided to weed the side of the driveway. Pretty soon it was a family affair. I think Warren's going to be a work horse!

It just wouldn't be right if we got through the week without saying "What Next" Everyone keeps asking if we've seen the movie the "Money Pit". Yes we've seen it, no it's not funny to us! We walked in the house Saturday and I heard glass breaking. Our fireplace glass shattered and went everywhere, including into my new carpet. Thank heaven only one piece melted the carpet and it's very small. We had a house full of smoke! The second time in a week. Yes, I'm still smoking the house out.

Comedy of errors!

She thinks my tractors sexy????

Well, serviceable, but certainly not sexy. Well, we are officially looking like county folk! I can't wait for Greg to fill in the mud hole in the driveway. Now if only we could replant all our grass with the tractor:)

Yeah! New carpet.

Warren really wanted red carpet. Oh boy was he excited when the installer put the pad down. Ever wondered what your house would look like with red carpet?

It nice to have a room almost put together. Looking forward to having the shelves finished. Greg is also building in a wood box underneath the shelves. Way cool!

TEACHING CHILDREN OR WHAT?

Am I the only one who shakes my head in wonder. I could have fed the cat and been done in 2 minutes, but no, we have chores around here. Of course these chores turned into more of a cleaning project. The boys really did have fun and the cat always thinks the food is best right out of the container:)

A little light remodeling......Hmmmm

Well, the demo has begun and we are living in our mess. We've done multiple projects. Here are a few pictures of our journey.

James and Warren helping Daddy stain the new window frame for the window that was damaged after we moved in.

Daddy's work crew.

Our slate hearth pad Greg laid for the new wood stove.

Greg building our first fire.I AM WOMAN. SEE MY FIRE ROAR.

After smoking the house out the first morning, I have finally redeemed myself tonight. I'm almost too hot. Just had to document this for posterity!

Greg is tearing out the gas fireplace and is going to build a bench and shelving into the shell that is left. I can't wait to have a place to put the fire wood away.

My project for tonight was to tear out our old carpet in the living room. We are having it install downstairs tomorrow morning and new carpet will be installed in the living room on Monday. We don't want to get bored!