Roses, our Beautiful Picture and Fraidy

The roses this year are just amazing. I'm not sure why but we are sure enjoying them. Especially the pink one is so full - the leaves are sooooooooooo green and the the flowers so beautiful. And there are so many of them. Usually they have aphids feasting on them and there is not one this year. It is just great. We thought you could all enjoy what we enjoy. We sure do love all of you.

I hung the beautiful picture downstairs in the family room. This sure isn't a very good shot of how beautiful it is down there. I just love, love, love it. It goes so well with everything down there (again this shot of it is gross). You just wouldn't believe how good it looks. Thank you, thank you, thank you. We love you alllllla much.

Springtime in the yard

I just love all the seasons here. This spring has just been soooooooooooooooo beautiful. As we were out cleaning up after a big day on Saturday I just had to take these pictures. The yard is so green and beautiful. We will be putting out the pipe for watering the garden today and then we'll plant it. All that part is easy. It's the constant weeding that is a pain. It is supposed to be really hot for the rest of the week - so we'll work outside in the early morning and late afternoon - evening. I think Siestas are a very smart idea. We love you all.

The hill is just waiting for someone to do 'slip 'n slide'.

"The GREAT WALL" by Grandpa

Last week much to the delight of the grandchildren that were visiting Grandma Stutz across the street we had the "GREAT WALL" delivered. Each block weighs 67#. Each pallet has 45 blocks and weighs 3015# and we have 10 pallets. This is about 1/3 of what we need to complete the project. Can you just image how BUFF dad will be when it's all done?! I'm glad he is excited about it.

Rod our wonderful neighbor next door came over and helped Dad set the block for the 1st row so that they had 4 evenly spaced blocks that were level along the entire length. It is quite the process. Then you start at one end and move along to the next level block. Each block that is laid has to be completely level before moving on to the next one. We are excited to see it grow.
He is only going 3 blocks high near the swings so that once the capstones are on it will be seats for us to use while the kids swing. Doesn't it look great?! He is one TOUGH Dad and Grandpa. YEAH Grandpa!!!! Love you all.

The Wood pile

On Saturday while Grandpa worked on the 'GREAT WALL' I decided to move the woodpile. I thought it would be great to have the space so we could have an area to sit and watch the kids swim. It was not as hard as I thought it would be. Some of the wood was quite dryed out and so it was quite light. Others were VERY heavy. I loaded it into the little trailer of the tractor and then drove the tractor around behind the fence - until Dad needed it to haul more brick down and then I used the wheel barrow.


I only had one casualty. A log rolled off the original pile and got me. I had my capris on. After that, at Grandpa's suggestion I put on my jeans on. I was teasing the kids at Jeannie's Sunday night that Fraidy got me. That she grew back her claws. (I quickly told them the truth so as not to freak them out too much.) Bad Grandma.

Thank you for the Mother's Day gift!!!

Thank you all of you for the beautiful Mother's Day gift (and Anniversary gift)!!!!!!!!!! We love it. I am sorry that the picture (that I took) sure does not do it justice. I need Jeannie and her new camera to take a picture of it. She is so talented with it. We have hung it in the front entrance so everyone can see it. Maybe we'll have a travelling gallery because there is a space in the Family Room that is 'crying out' for it. It would be perfect there. We'll see. But I just love it. I just feel bad that you spent so many $$$$$$$$$ on it. You guys are just too too good to us. We love you all. (And not just because you give us nice presents.)