Summer 2011

I can't believe how quickly this summer went by. We went on a great vacation to Bryce Canyon with Joseph and Annalee and their family. We spent a couple of nights there and did some great hikes, we also spent a day at Zion's National Park and then ended up at the Tuacahn Ampitheater in St. George where we watched The Little Mermaid. It was a fabulous show and we all loved it! The only unfortuante thing about the vacation is that I dropped my camera on one of the hikes and made it irreparable. Luckily I was able to get a few pictures from the disk! 

 The other big thing we did this summer was finish our back yard. It was so hard and felt like it took so long but it was so worth it. There is something to be said about the gratification that you feel when you have done something by your own blood, sweat and tears! We did everything ourselves (grating, sprinkler system, retaining wall, planting shrubs and trees and laying sod) with the exception of the curbing. We hired professionals for that! We couldn't have done it without the help of our amazing neighbors and friends who would come over and help without even being asked! We feel so blessed to live in such a great neighborhood and community and we are definitely going to enjoy our finished yard next summer. . . now on to the fence!

 The very back of the yard and future garden spot on the right. I love my Japanese Maple tree!

 The amazing fire pit that Andrew built all by himself. We are going to have some awesome weenie roasts around that baby!

 The retaining walls that Andrew spent hours building. We got some awesome tomatoes out of these this summer.

Side view of the yard with firepit, retaining walls and fruit trees!
We also enjoyed time at splash parks, swimming, picnics and a couple of trips to the zoo!