Cooling Off

After a long night of Chase throwing up and not holding down breakfast, Logan thought it would be a good idea to set up the pool and keep him outside. (I've been washing lots of sheets and blankets and clothes and floors...)

Tyler showing me how he can hold his breath and put his head underwater.

Chase tried for 15 minutes, or so it seemed, to get these goggles on.

Tyler was done swimming and tossed his clothes. Note the underwear on the deck.

Lake Tahoe Timeshare

We had a week on our time share that we needed to use or lose. The only place that had an opening close by was the "Olympic Village" in Squaw Valley. Not a lot happening there as they are in between seasons. We spent a couple of nights there and Ryan and Kate are finishing up the weekend.

View from our room

Granite Peak

We took the motorcycle up, enjoyed the ride and getting out of the 100 degree heat. But coming home, we had to ride into the heat. Not great planning on our part.

$5,000 Trees

We have a wonderful view of the construction that has begun next door for a 10,000 sq ft house.

While going thru the processes of obtaining their permits,specifically their road permit, the county came out and did a survey of the trees on our property (which sat next to the property line.) Because these trees are "Native Trees", the neighbor had to move their road over to accommodate the "drip line" of the trees. With only one "Native Tree" in the path of their road, he was informed he would have to replant the tree, which he didn't, he said it was no bigger than a little baby twig. His fine was $5,000.

Now my delimna - I wanted to rip all of these trees out, they're ugly and what about our road that is right next to the trees, that someday we want to redo and pave, most are too big to replant - will the county not allow this? Uhggg - I suppose that means we can't do any real backyard work until this home next door it completed, and the second house he is going to build on the front of the property is completed, which isn't even sub-divided yet. This could be a long long wait. Who declared these ugly trees are pretty or better than the ones I want to put in, I actually thought they were messy shrubs, but now it's all recorded in the county records.

Do the trees increase the value of our property or decrease?

Backyard Neighbor

They say that you know you have good friends when they feel comfortable enough to come to your back door...Meet my neighbor...

I was headed to the garage today to put some items away and was a bit startled by my neighbor, pecking at the door. I'm not sure if she wanted in or if she was just seeing her reflection in the window and was grooming herself.

Visiting Bella

Only being an hour and a half away from Jill and Eric, I took the opportunity to go visit them on Saturday. I invited Halli which she was so excited to do, because she LOVES Bella, the cat.

After unpacking the van of all of Jill and Eric's packages that were sent to April's house and chasing Bella around the apartment, we took a drive around town and stopped at the lake. Sorry Texas water is just brown, even from the air it appears brown. But it was warm and we had fun tossing rocks. Jill even learned to skip rocks.

No we didn't plan the twin look, but it is cute.

After spending most of the day with Bella, Jill and Eric, Halli and I decided it was time to head home. But before we got to far....there was an urgent plea to go back and take a picture of Bella.

The road to Houston. It's very pretty between Halli's house and Bella's. I think this is Waller County on the 105.

Painting Texas Pink

What a pose!

April finally got me out to Texas to paint and sew, cut wood and staple. (Thanks to the Monsons for the tools.) We didn't get it all done, but we got close. April was shrewd enough to find the bed quilts on E-bay which saved her $$ and me from having to sew. April is a great designer. I've learned not to doubt her judgement, her ideas are usually years ahead of what you see in the stores, so she makes it harder on herself by not waiting, she gets pretty determined to find a way to make it work. She is absolutely fabulous and when it's done this will be one darling bedroom.

Touching up the stripes.
(I am turning away, so I don't look 7 months pregnant) I don't do I?

Painting the head and foot boards.
April wants a disclaimer here - she is 7 months pregnant.

Monopoly

Britt and Brett were here for a few days before flying to Kona for their little getaway to warmer weather. Monoply seemed to be the game of the week. Britt and Brett seemed to be rather vicious in their plotting and scheming, but in the end it was Logan who won.

Money Money Money - Only if it were real. Ahhhhh.

" One more space....Yup, your on my property....That'll be $350."

A Wedding was held

Right after we said good-bye to Eric and Jill, we headed north to attend the wedding of Kathleen and Bryan.

Kathleen and Bryan were married Saturday, April 5th in a field on the Kite Ranch. Kathleen was given away in marriage by her granddaughters and grandson, Ricky and married by Bishop Franklin.

It was a beautiful day, with a beautiful bride and dashing groom. Bryan promised her 55 years together, I think she is holding him to that promise.