Camping and Yard Stuff

Here's what's been going on in our lives as of late.  Sophia had another recital and did great.  She played "Happy Birthday" and "Good King Wenceslas".  I love it!

A few weekends ago we went camping with some of Doug's family.  Here's the kids playing on the 4-wheelers before bed.

 We got a new tent for the event and absolutely loved it!  So much space! 

 We were glad that baby and Lilly's penguin were able to join us.

 Lilly, Carson and Grandma around the campfire.

 Eating lunch around the fire the next day.  Judging from her hair I think she slept pretty good.

 After lunch the girls got to go on a 4-wheeler ride with grandma. 

They loved it!  It totally cracked me up to see Lilly with this huge helmet on her head.  It would totally weigh her down and she could barely keep her head up.  I know it's mean but I might have laughed a little.

We decided that since moving is most likely not in our near future, we should attack our yard and make it more presentable.  We bought some plants from a local nursery last week and found this little guy in one of them!

A few months ago we had a friend cut down our dead cherry tree in our backyard.  Doug got ambitious and decided to dig the stump out!  After Doug dug it out Doug dug (sorry, couldn't help myself) the hole a little deeper and buried the stump in it.  That's one way to get rid of it!  Look at the size of that stump!  He's amazing!

We also spruced up a few things around the yard.  Here's a few before and afters.  We have this beautiful corner where things go to die like cinder blocks, dirt and limbs. 

 We cleaned it up a little and Doug put these bricks in (thanks again for the bricks mom and dad Wilkins!!!!! - and for the idea) and I think it looks great now.  I really want to get a glider bench to put in this area too.  We'll see about that though. 

We also have this fun opening that we've put a board over to keep dogs and such out but Doug decided to build a little gate instead.

Here it is after.  Didn't he do a good job?  I love it!  He even used a hand saw to cut the wood because we're lacking in the power tools department.  I was impressed.  We've since stained it to match the fence. 

Speaking of staining, these 3 cuties did a great job helping us stain the fence on Saturday morning.

Don't they look so happy to help!