Home Sweet Home

No, we haven't been gone anywhere, I just thought I would post some pictures of our house and yard before the summer is over and everything dies. This is our place. I really love our house, not that I wouldn't change a few things if I could, but it's a great place for us right now. I'm a little sad that most of the flowers in my flower pots have given up, but they've been taken over by the sweet potato plants, which I love, and so I think they still look OK.

Our backyard has come a long way in the five years we lived here. Tom built the sandbox a couple years ago, then the swing set last summer, and this summer he did the shed. SOOOO nice to have! I did the mini-garden and most of the landscaping stuff. Still a few more things I want to do. We also finally put in our patio this summer.
I think our biggest accomplishment, though, has been ridding our lawn of the crazy puncture weed that we have around here. The backyard was full of these things when we moved in. If you have them you know they are deadly, can pop tires and seriously injure your feet, even with sandals. After religiously keeping after them (and even using the shop-vac to try and get all the seeds), we have them mostly under control.

Happy Birthday Derek!

Yesterday was Derek's 5th birthday! I can't believe he is that old already (even though he looks even older). For the last two weeks he has wanted to go bowling for his birthday, and I was proud of him for being a really good sport when we pulled up at the bowling ally and it was closed for "employee Lagoon day". Bummer! We settled for Slurpee's and a movie and a promise to take him bowling later this week.

Derek wanted a Transformer cake, or actually Transformer brownies. Since I am too cheap to buy a cake, this was my best attempt. I've never professed to be a great cake decorator, but Derek was pleased, although one friend said it looked like just some masks, and another thought it was a Power Ranger cake. :o) Oh well.

Last week we took the kids to the Museum at Hill Air Force Base. That was really cool! If you've never been, you should check it out (it's free). There are tons of great planes and helicopters indoors and out to look at. The boys loved it and I came away with a much greater appreciation for those who have participated in air force battle. I could never do it.

August Already??!!

Wow, I'm not very good at summer posting, am I? The summer has flown by and we have done a lot of fun things, I'm just not very good at writing about them!

Well, lets see..... last weekend was my 10 year high school reunion. Good ol' class of 1998 from Union High School in Roosevelt, UT. I helped some in the planning and was a little nervous about how it was going to turn out, having never actually been to a high school reunion, but it was really fun. Thanks to everyone who came and supported us. Many of my close friends from high school were able to make it, so it was great to see them and catch up.

Most of the old gang here (minus Amanda who left earlier, and Vanessa who was on her honeymoon) I must say it was kind of weird to be Melanie 'McKee' again, and go to the UBIC (Roosevelt's big annual celebration) and everything, but it was fun to take Tom and the boys and show them a little of my home town fun. I can't believe I haven't even been back to UBIC in ten years!

After the festivities, Tom and I were able to leave the kids with my parents and go on a little mini-vacation all by ourselves. The first one in five years (since Derek was born). It was fun, although I must say it was weird not having the house or kids to worry about for two days. We went up to Midway and stayed in a cute resort place called "Inn on the Creek", it is next to the Homestead Resort. It was very pretty. We pretty much had the place to ourselves for two days, and didn't really even see an employee until the day we checked out.
The first day we did some shopping and went up around Tibble Fork Reservoir. It's so beautiful up there. The second day we went up and rode the Alpine Coaster at Park City Mountain Resort. I'm somewhat of a scaredy-pants when it comes to heights, but it was really fun, and I actually want to go back and try the zip line sometime.

Tom and I before the ride started

Tom and I after the ride began

Let's see, what else.... Tom and I celebrated our 8th wedding anniversary a couple weeks ago. Eight years!!! I thought I would be a perfect wife by now, but I'm still having to work on that. Poor Tom! :o) He's very patient with me, and I'm very grateful for him.

Derek just finished up his second session of swimming lessons. He loves the water now, and I'm so proud of him for being so brave this year. Last year we could barely pry off his death grip when we were in the pool, and now he will go down the big water slide all by himself.


What else, hmmmm...... I am looking forward to the olympics starting. Tom says its the one time every two years when I will actually sit down and watch a sporting event on TV with him. It's true, I do hate sports on TV, but the Olympics are awesome!!!