The Beginning

Luke and I picked up a stump grinder this morning, so we are officially starting on the fire pit area of our backyard. We're planning on being completely finished in two weeks. I was kind of hoping someone from "Yard Crashers" would offer to come get it done in an afternoon, but I didn't see anyone with a camera crew at the rental place. That's ok though, because Luke wouldn't want anyone else to do it. There's a lot to be said for enjoying something you've worked hard on, right? A certain satisfaction with a job well done. Here is the 'before' picture:

Mark your calendars for a weenie roast! Oh, and Jake...could you bring the fire pit??

Chinese Elm

Dylan and I were walking down the street yesterday, and I noticed the neighborhood is yet again blanketed with chinese elm seeds. If I had a magic wand, I would make them all disappear. It made me think of when we cut down our chinese elm, which is still sending up little trees...five years later! Luke has poured salt into the stump, dug out roots, and even soaked it in diesel fuel and burned it. The thing just won't die! Luke is going to get a stump grinder this week and try to kill the "wicked witch" once and for all so we can build our fire pit. If everything goes well, we'll be roasting marshmallows before too long!

Brrrr!

It's going to rain and snow tomorrow. The high is going to be 39 degrees. What a great day to go to the zoo with busloads of kindergartners, right?

Rock Star!

Luke finished his first marathon this morning in 3 hours and 45 minutes (give or take a few seconds)! We are so proud of him. Thanks to my awesome sister-in-law Emily for taking pictures, and to everyone who came out to cheer him on. It was a crazy day that started at 5am, so I think everyone will sleep extra well tonight. Way to go, Luke!!

Izzy and Riley running to give Luke some water:



A little boost from the Luke Larsen fan club at mile fifteen before he headed back out:

Finally!

Glee is back on Tuesday! It's about time...we are so excited!

Amazing

We are so excited to go see Burgon make her big debut on screen! She's an amazing young lady, and we are so very proud of her. This is just another incredible experience she can add to her growing list. Honestly...I tried to walk on the treadmill the other day with my eyes closed, and I nearly fell right off the side. I'm sure that would have given someone a good laugh for the day!

I have a feeling I'm about to be inspired...again.

Almost...

Dylan's kindergarten program was Friday. He did such a great job. It's hard to believe, but school will be out before we know it! There are only 42 school days left, and 9 of those are short days. And next year both Izzy and Dylan will be in school all day. Crazy! The jump from preschool to kindergarten wasn't a big deal for me. When Isabelle went to first grade, Dylan was still home with me most of the time, so it didn't seem like a huge deal. Having both of them gone all day is going to be a big change, though. There's nothing I love more than being with my kids! I guess I'll have to get a job to fill my time :)


Here's Dylan with his darling classmates. And yes, Dylan is standing up. (one of my friends thought he was sitting)