Our Garden

You might have heard me say that I love my back yard. When we moved in, the previous owners had a garden in the one spot in the back yard that had any chance for sun. It quickly grew into a weed garden under our care. We finally tilled the ground a grew grass. Then, we decided that that spot was a great place for the trampoline.

This year, something came over Erik and Andrew and they decided to put a garden back in the one tiny sun spot.
We weren't sure how well this garden would grow, because it was under a big shade tree. Then that tree split and we had to get it taken out. Now that part of our back yard is very sunny all day. Perfect for the garden. Erik and the kiddos planted strawberries, peas, lettuce, zucchini, tomatoes and pumpkins. So far it has been a very successful little garden.

Look at the picture again, and up by the swing set you will see a big pumpkin plant slowly making its way across our yard. It reminds me of one of my favorite picture books...We had some extra pumpkin seedlings, and so Erik planted an extra seedling in the back corner of our upper back yard. Unlike the main character in this book, I have always wanted to grow pumpkins in my yard. I love the idea of pumpkins. I love making pumpkin recipes. Here's hoping we get some fun pumpkins for Halloween this year!

Activity girls

Today I was lucky enough to help out with Activity Girls at church. This is a fun group of girls ages 8-11. They meet two times a month. They get to participate in service and other fun activities. It is really a neat opportunity for Emily.

Today the girls delivered crayons and other school supplies to the Children's Hospital in Minneapolis. The sick children and some siblings will get to use these crayons, paints, and colored pencils while they are staying at the hospital.

The new home

I grew up in this house.

Our family has lived on Upper Terrace for almost 30 years. We moved here to Minnesota and I entered the first grade. I have no memory of our Ohio house, or our New Jersey home or our New York house. Only Minnesota. I was a good home.

My parents have decided that it is finally time to move. To be honest, I am really not feeling sad about this move. I am excited for my parents. Their new home is going to be perfect for their needs. We now get to build new memories of going to Grandma and Grandpa's house in Apple Valley.They are now going to live about ten minutes away. The kiddos are looking forward to riding their bikes to their new house, swimming in their lake and having over nights in the new house. We are excited to have them as neighbors.