Showing posts with label backyard. Show all posts
Showing posts with label backyard. Show all posts

Saturday, June 9, 2018

Nala

Where I found Preston.
 Maysen was wide awake. No surprise there.
 Mike continued his war on trees.
 He also found an Easter egg hidden over seven years ago.
A dog somehow found her way into our backyard. The tag said Nala. She lives at the same house Malone lived at. She was a lot more well behaved than Malone. Mike, Maysen and Preston had fun playing with her.
Maysen, Mike, Preston
Mike had been frustrated because some of the fountain pieces would sometimes be scattered around the yard. Looks like we found the culprit.
Nala drinking from the fountain.
 Preston loved playing fetch with her.
I was a little worried she would ruin our pool cover every time she got on it.
Meanwhile, Jorja was at Hailey's house. Hailey was planning on an outdoor movie party tonight. Jorja went over early to help her set up. She texted Mike to ask for help and beanbags. Turns out, the cord they were using to hook the laptop to the projector was bad. Mike asked if they had a different one. Solved the problem.
Jorja & Hailey
 Jorja waiting for me to finish talking to Hailey's mom.
Mike and I went home. Hailey's mom and the girls went to pick up Julian. Three days in a row with that kid. Oh boy. They watched Sixth Sense. Drew came. I'm not sure who else did. Jorja had a lot of fun.

Stockton played Mario Kart with Maysen and Preston for a long time. That made them both really happy. Stockton got a nasty bite on his foot a few days ago. This happened at the Pepperwood pool. He thinks it was ants, but that just looks weird.

Friday, June 8, 2018

Lumify

Today was the first official day of our summer break! Yay! I spent it wisely. Doing laundry. It was so frustrating though. For some reason, our circuit breaker kept going off. It took forever to get the laundry finished when I kept having to walk to the side of the house to flip the switch. We have come to the conclusion that the dryer and the air conditioner can't be run at the same time. I don't like that conclusion.

Mike came home from work and started attacking this poor tree. It looks like a mouth is going to eat Mike, but have no fear, Mike conquered.
Mike and tree mouth.
I ordered eye drops at the Walmart that was near our house. They were supposed to be in after 3:00 today. I went and waited, only to find out that they were never actually ordered. I asked if they had the drops at another Walmart. She started looking on the computer and told me they had them in Salt Lake. When I asked if there was any closer, she said, "Oh! I'll check." Really? Why wouldn't you check the close Walmarts first? Weird. I was told they were at the Quarry Bend Walmart. So, that is where I headed next. It was so annoying because I couldn't turn left on the road I needed to, so I had to go way out of my way to get to the store. In nasty traffic. Once there, I looked everywhere for the eye section. I finally found it, but the drops weren't there. I waited in line to ask where they were. The lady looked and couldn't find them either. She asked someone else who pointed to a giant display that was around the corner from the eye section. Haha!
Stockton went up to the neighborhood pool and helped Gavin coach diving. He's excited because Gavin asked him if he could coach while he is on various camps. Stockton added up how much he would earn and was very happy with the results. This was the last time diving was in the afternoon. Next week it will go to morning. He came home with his diving friends. They went to Gavin's house and played games. Jorja went bowling with Hallie, Jaren and Julian. The three kids she went with had never met each other, they just each knew Jorja. When I picked them up, they were all joking around like they were best pals. That's great. Jaren has struggled making friends since his move to California.  Sometimes it is easier to meet and bond with people in non-school settings. Anyway, both Stockton and Jorja were tired when they got home. This made Maysen and Preston a bit disappointed. Tonight is stay up all night-night. Stockton and Jorja didn't want to participate this year. Maysen and Preston played games by themselves. They were planning to play every Mario Party board, which they anticipated lasting all night. I don't know if Maysen and Preston are still going to try. At least the two of them have a lot of fun together.

Monday, May 28, 2018

First Day at Chick-Fil-A

I tried Uber for the first time today. Stockton and I needed to get to the airport. I was worried the driver wouldn't show up. The guy at the desk assured me that wouldn't happen. He also told me to do the ride share Uber economy choice. I made Stockton get up extra early because I was still worried. We got up at 4:15, after three hours of sleep. I ordered the Uber and was surprised that we needed to walk a few blocks to be picked up. Stockton and I headed out with our suitcases in the dark. As we were waiting to cross a busy road a lady stopped and asked if we needed help. I told her we ordered an Uber and needed to cross the street because he was going to be there in one minute. Once we crossed the street I got an alert on my phone that my Uber had been cancelled. What? This is what I was worried about and what the concierge assured me wouldn't happen. I didn't know what to do. I didn't know if we would be sent walking a few more blocks away if I ordered again. While I was trying to figure it out, the same lady that talked to us before pulled up. She asked if our driver cancelled. She said she saw a car turn and was worried we would be stranded. She was also an Uber driver. When we told her we were going to the airport, she said that if we ordered an Uber X she would take us there. That was about twice the price, but at this point I just wanted to get to the airport. It was about $50. I was trying to figure out the app when she said, or if you have $20 cash I'll take you right now. Thank heavens I had the cash! As we were driving she asked me to go in my settings to see if I was charged a cancellation fee. I was. $6. Unbelievable! The driver cancelled the ride and said it was our fault. She helped me figure out how to contest the price. Uber gave me a $6 credit. Really? Like I am going to be trying this again any time soon! Anyway, Stockton and I made it home without any more incidents. Yay! It's so good to be home.

Meanwhile. Mike started taking care of the tree that fell down. This is what it looks like now.
Jorja needed special shoes for her Chick-Fil-A job. We took the kids to Payless. Jorja got job shoes. Preston got church shoes and Stockton got tennis shoes. All were needed. Jorja had her first day at Chick-Fil-A today. It was a training day. She was trained on the registers. She said it is quite confusing. She is still pretty excited though.
Jorja
 Stockton trying to photobomb Jorja's picture.
Matt and Sam wanted to borrow quilting frames to make a quilt for their new baby girl. Her name is going to be Amy Kay. Anne convinced Jorja to dress up like a superhero with them while she was there. Adorable.
Anne, Jorja, Jeff

Thursday, September 5, 2013

They're Out of Here!

After the kids were off to school I headed down to John's house to hang out with them before they left. I made a quick trip home to pick up for something for Cassie about an hour later.  This is the sight I was blessed with.  Yay!  I'm so happy to see that!  Too bad John and his family will be gone when the pool is FINALLY working!
Our pool is almost done!
I got a few pictures of the kids right before they left.  Trevor was much more cooperative than Mallory!
Trevor
 Going to miss him!
Mallory did NOT want me to take her picture.  I had a lot of fun teasing her.  There is a fine line between teasing and terrorizing.  I tried really hard not to cross it.
Mallory picking up the trains to get away from me taking her picture.  
 Mallory running away from me.
 Mallory made happy by Kenny.
 Mallory finally letting go of the trains.
 (John) Kenny, Mallory (Dad).  I hate dogs.  Why do little kids like them?
 Mallory
 Mallory in the car.  Not happy that I took her picture.
 Trevor humors me.
 All smiles and ready to drive to Boise!
The kids had piano lessons today.  I have not been good about making sure they practiced this week.  I was trying to get everyone to practice before Penny came.  Jorja was also stressing about an essay that was due and studying for her Chinese test.  Jorja almost always stresses way too much on Thursdays.  Anyway, Blake and Miles came over.  I told them they could play outside for about ten minutes.  The kids went in the back.  Guess who came over to play with them?  Malone!  Seriously. I got him on a rope and took him back to his owners.  Have I mentioned that I'm scared of dogs?  I think I have been very nice about this entire situation.  When we got there I told Mason (I think) that we really couldn't have Malone in our yard anymore.  We are close to having our pool finished and I didn't want Malone to ruin our pool.  He said that he wouldn't come over again.  Hopefully not.
Malone
Mike had just left to Home Depot when Malone came over.  I texted him a picture and asked him to pick up more fence stuff.  So $200 later and the rest of Mike's night and hopefully Malone won't come back again.
Dog fence
 Not pretty, but hopefully effective.
This is the spot where Malone got over today.  Jorja said that it was a lot harder for him to get over here.  He really struggled and then landed on his head.  Hopefully this will keep him out.

Tuesday, September 3, 2013

IT'S NOT OUR DOG!

Malone was over again today.  Mike was tired of it.  He just opened our gate and let him roam free.  Oh boy did he cause havoc!  Later Mike told me as he was driving away he saw a lady walking two dogs that was completely tangled in the leashes.  Malone had her dogs going crazy. When Preston left for school he was happy as could be.  A few seconds later a hear him screaming.  Malone had seen him and was barreling towards him.  Malone has been constantly knocking Preston down.  He is not mean at all, but just really friendly (especially in the morning) and HUGE!

My doorbell rang a little before nine.  I answered it to see one of my neighbors that I don't know well at all.  He asked me if I had a dog.  I told him no but that one always jumps our fence.  He pointed and asked if that was the one.  He then told several other adults that it wasn't our dog.  Everyone thinks that it is because they have seen me walking Malone several times.  Little do they know that I keep walking him back to his house!  I couldn't talk to him long because Maysen was walking up the grass shortly after he came over.  I was glad I was here though so they would know that we are not responsible for Malone.

I had Maysen take the bus today.  The first time ever taking the bus to school by herself.  I have driven her to school almost every day for what, eleven years?  She has taken the bus to school on three different occasions.  Once in Georgia she begged me to let her take the super early bus.  Once on the first day of school with Stockton, and the first day of school this year.  Each case Stockton or I walked with her.  I decided on late start days she should take the bus to school.  The bus leaves the same time I do, then I wouldn't have to make so many trips. (Maysen and Stockton have late start on different days which can be quite annoying.)  Anyway, Maysen came walking up the lawn as I was talking to the neighbors.  I asked her if she missed the bus.  She said, "No, the bus never came."  Really?  When we got to the end of the street we could see no one at her bus stop.  I thought the bus must have come right after Maysen left.  It didn't.  A few streets down there were about four kids.  I rolled down my window and asked Emily if she was still waiting for the bus.  They were.  I had all the kids pile in my car.  Emily told the others, "Don't worry, I know her from church."  We arrived at school about five minutes after the bell had rung.  I walked in with Maysen and headed to the attendance office.  Lots of kids from Maysen's bus were there.  I couldn't believe that the bus really did not show up.  The first time I ever have her take it in the morning and it wasn't there.  Great.

After the bus fiasco I headed down to my dad's house.  John and I were just setting up a Dominion game when Cassie called.  She was getting her hair cut at the beauty school where Brittany is going.  On Tuesdays it is 'buy one get one free'.  She wanted me to come and get a free haircut.  So I did.  I do enjoy free.
Stephanie (Brittany is on the phone in the background)   
I came home and played John two games of Dominion.  I won both by 16 points.  It was awesome.  Cassie and I then went up to Orem and saw Sam.  Cassie wanted to see where Sam lived.  So cute to see the crib in their apartment!  I dropped Cassie off at a restaurant where she was meeting John and my dad.  I went straight to Young Womens.  We made temple time capsules.  Inside the girls put pictures of their future wedding dress and wedding ring.  They filled out sheets about their wedding day.  (Temple, reception place, colors, food....)  They also filled out papers about what they would like their groom to be like and what they would like to be like.  They had a paper on their future family where they could put baby names they would like.  Once everything was done, they sealed it in canning jars.  The plan is to open it with their fiancé when they are engaged.  The girls seemed to enjoy the activity and everyone let me read and discuss what they were writing.  Everyone except Maysen.  She wouldn't let me look at anything and was mad that I looked at a few things.  I don't know why she doesn't like to tell me anything anymore.  Why will girls I barely know talk to me but my own daughter won't?  Sad.
Senora and Sephora  
Mike spent the day putting up a dog fence.  He didn't have enough materials for the entire fence, but he did what he could.  He focuses on the area where Malone repeatedly jumps over.  Let's hope this solves the problem!  Becky told me that Malone terrorized them all day today.  I don't want him in my backyard anymore for several reasons.  One reason being I saw him poop in our yard on Sunday!  Then we noticed tons of poop everywhere.  My dad cleaned it up for me.  I don't want to clean up dog poo!  I have enough things I need to clean up, I don't want to clean up that!

As Mike was working on the fence his owner came out and started calling for him.  Then he saw Mike and asked him if he had seen his dog.  Mike said, "He's out running the neighborhood, that is why I'm building this fence."  The boys friends just laughed at him.  (I think the boy is in his early twenties.)  Anyway, the fence is not pretty, but I don't think they could get mad at us for doing it.  Maybe we can get some vines to crawl up there so we could block them out.  They have parties all the time.  It has been nicknamed, "The Party House".  Sometimes after parties we have beer cans in our yard.  Once there was even a dead rat.
Not the prettiest fence, but hopefully it will do the job.

Saturday, June 18, 2011

Fire Pit

Mike was a monster worker today. He cleaned and organized almost all of the garage. We still had a lot of things from moving, so it was a ton! He also made a cool fire pit in the backyard. We enjoyed some afternoon smores.
Stephanie and the new fire pit!
Preston...seriously, what could be wrong?
Preston and Jorja had fun playing in the tree in the front yard. They were out there quite awhile. The only problem was Preston needed help getting into/out of the tree. He would want in....5 minutes later he would want out....3 minutes later back in..... Finally we were done with the tree.
Preston
Jorja & Preston
We called Bubs & Ange and asked if they would want our swimming pool we had in Georgia, and Preston's old car seat. They were all for that. Ange said they would pick it up today. We told them to make sure they brought their swim suits! Ange also brought dinner. Yummy meatball sandwiches with homemade bread. Swimming was fun, but I think the highlight was the inflatable fish Mike bought. I wish a had a picture of Abbs in it. She was so cute! Ella too. They LOVED it!
Abigail & Angela
BUBS! Lincoln is already preparing for the splash.
Good idea Lincoln!
This is the only picture with Ella for some reason.
Bubs, Steph, Preston, Lincoln, Ella
I never got a picture of Maysen, but she was there swimming away with us....and enjoying it! Mike was there too....he was behind the camera.
Jorja
Lincoln
Stockton
What a great life!
After swimming we had dinner by the fire pit. Awesome. Then a wiffle ball game. Stockton loved it. Both Stockton & Jorja were very good....considering they have never really played before.

When it was time for Bubs & Ange to go, we were trying out Abigail in the carseat. Preston didn't like that at all! He was crying that it was his carseat. He hasn't even used it since December. It is a really nice one. Mike got Preston's mind off of it by having Preston help him put lights in his carseat. His came with reading lights you can push on, but we haven't ever gotten around to adding the batteries.

We had a great night and are already planning on having a sleepover next week!