Back yard makeover

After living in our house for over 6 years, we finally decided the back yard remodel was beyond what we were going to get done soon. So in May, we hired a crew to tear out the trees that were taking over, rip out the decaying railroad ties which were sliding down the hill and build some rock walls.

I didn't start taking pictures until it was already underway, but this was during the process of jungle removal.


The rocks await their wall.


The removed brush filled up our side yard up to the second story window. It took two dumptrucks and several trailer-loads to dispose of it.



The old slope, denuded.






The finished product, lawn & garden in September.

Tea time

Real tea with milk.





Turns out that pouring tea from a pot is a learned skill. Oh well, that's why they were outside!

Waneka Lake with the Coe Cousins

Camping in Nevada

In early July, we took a trip to Utah and Nevada to see the Coleman side of the family. After a few days in Ogden to see Great-Grandma Hammer, we drove to Lamoille Canyon near Elko and met up with Grandma and Grandpa Coleman, Aunt Nadine and Uncle Dale and all of Dave's brothers, sisters, cousins as well as their spouses and children. In all it was about 20 adults and 7 children. Two of his cousins are also pregnant so odds are that there will be 3 more next year!

The kid's table with Colette and Oli



Grandma C gives the grandchildren (and grandniece) their animal sleeping bags


Adi gets a bunny



Colette gets a bear



Mae recovering from a grill-caused head injury (known now as "the hole in Mae's head").


The trip was pure heaven for Adi, who got to hold one of the 4 dogs leashes about 80% of the time.



Monster-hunting with Cousin Buck and Sam


Ma'ayaan, Cousin Kelly and Amir who came out from Vermont


Aunt Jennifer, Uncle Wayne, Kaitlyn


Nothing but sage brush in flat, ugly Nevada

Digging in the dirt

Or rather, compost.

We dumped two yards of compost in our expanded garden and the girls were eager to help Grandpa and Grandma Coleman. For some reason, shoes were optional.





I wish I had a video of Mae running around the garden filled with fresh compost, holding up crumbling handfuls of the rich dirt and squealing with delight.

Painting the walls

Yac also remodeled the downstairs bathroom. I had some help painting the walls, an activity that I wouldn't necessarily recommend with two three-year olds. It seemed like a good idea at the time, of course.








The finished product

Big girl beds

Dave's brother came out for a few weeks to help us with some house projects, including assembling the girls' beds and painting them their favorite colors.