The Magnificent Front Circle

I bet you are all wondering where we put all that rock so lovingly sifted away from the yucky dirt.

Here is where most of it went. It was nice to have the dirt covered for the first time ever. The remaining rock went to form a 18 inch path between the fence and the new bushes in the front.

This is what the front looked like 1 year ago and the man who dared to rip out the junipers while Dad wasn't looking.

New and improved front.
Too many man hours to even count, removal of about 10 yards of rock, 8 yards of dirt, placement of 41/2 tons of rock around the tree, 10 yards of redwood mulch (some of that went to the front corner) planting loads of different plants.

Side Note: Towards the end of this project we had a pile of 2 yards of mostly dirt with a few rocks that we needed to get rid of. Every time any of us looked at it we wanted to barf just thinking about shoveling it in and out of the trailer. Dirty dirt (that means dirt with nasty ugly rocks interspered in it) is difficult to unload on anyone.
On Monday I was driving by the Presbyterian church and noticed big tractors working there. We had noticed over the past year dirt accumulating there in massive amounts, but never saw any of it taking place. I decided I had nothing to lose and everything to gain, stopped and asked if we could dump 2 yards of dirty, dirt. His reply was "sure bring it down." I drove the 2 miles home quickly, Troy hooked up the trailer and we all, (Stacy included) started to load the dirt. The problem, it had rained and the dirt was more like mud and very heavy and we needed to have it there by noon, it would take 2 trips. Ugggg were is Dan when you need him?
The first load took 45 minutes just to put it in the trailer, and at least that long to unload it because Stacy and I were worthless and Troy did all the work. After a smoothie break we started on the last load. It was well after noon so we were trying to hurry. Half way done Stacy announces that her back is KILLING her and she can't do anymore and could I please call one of the good looking, strong young men in the ward. I did and this very nice, handsome, recently returned missionary showed up (in his red car and white shirt, OK a white Tee shirt) to help load the remaining 1/4 yard and then off he and Troy went to the dumping grounds. Meanwhile I was on a search for plants and returned to Troy and Stacy laughing. When questioned about the reason for such jovial behavior despite this dirty hard work they informed me that the nice guys on the big tractors drove up to the back of the trailer and scooped out all the dirt for them. That was such a nice thing to do, now I ask you why did they not do that when they saw an old lady, a cute young thing, and handsome Troy unloading it ever so slowly just an hour before? Oh well the dirt pile was gone and we were all HAPPY about that, the remaining small pile got washed away in the ensuing 3 massive rain storm. The rain also did a nice job cleaning the driveway of all our tracked on dirt.

Thanks to Marion at UCAR and Troy who contributed plants to fill in all this space. All are low maintenance and low water usage. THANKS to Doug, Heather, Andrew, Clint and Aubrey who gave me b-day money for plants which I put to good use here.

Stacy refurbished the original light poles and made them look like new. I still need to made an address plaque to hang from them, but that will wait for awhile. We took the 28 large rocks we discovered buried beneath the junipers and spread them around on the beds while saving a few really promising one for the future water feature in the back yard.
So it is finished. We like it and its drastically different appearance from that we had looked at with great distaste, (only LaVon had distaste for it) for 21 years. I will not miss shearing those ugly overgrown bush for a minute and I am sure Dans allergies will be much happier next year.

Part 2 Concrete

Since we moved into this house in 1987 the drive way has needed to be replaced. It was a huge driveway and were just never had the money but it has always remained on the FIX UP list. We had estimates several times in the last 10 years but they were always more than we were willing to spend. With the recession, 2 things happened. Concrete prices per yard dropped significantly and contractors were bidding bottom dollar to just get work to do. Thus it was finally time to replace the driveway. The added push was that we had the front part already ripped out so they could work on the driveway without having to ruin new landscaping, and ruin it they would have.

This is not to show you how cute Stacy is in the new skirt I made her but to show the best part of the driveway some 6 years ago. The tractor doing its magic. They had this whole driveway ripped out and hauled away in 3 hours. It was amazing.

The driveway was poured in 3 sections on consecutive days.
This is the West wing, grated, re bar installed and the finished concrete.

Here is the top flat part. It was the hardest to pour because they didn't have gravity on their side to pull the concrete down, plus in many places the concrete was 7 inched deep.

Next came the East wing and when they finished the driveway it was the prettiest thing I had seen for awhile. OK that's a bit of an exaggeration but I didn't realize the driveway could look so nice and make such a difference in the appearance of the house.
It only took 33 yards of concrete for this massive driveway.

Opps I guess there are no pics for this part. My camera is in the shop and I depend on Rachel for pics. Use you imagination or just flip the images from the West wing to the east and there you have it.
Should you ever need concrete work done we would recommend these crew They were awesome and so easy to work with. I was most thrilled when they helped move the remaining rock and hauled it and the dirt away.

I had forgotten what the front of the house looked like when we moved in other than there were lots of junipers. When I found this pics with cute Alan posing for the first day of school (don't you just love the shorts) I suddenly remembered why I was so glad to have it all re-done

Stay tuned for part 3. Its exciting for sure.

Putting it back together

So we started the massive task last June, as in June 2008. Clint had big dreams for this yard, and great ideas he did have. The first one being to rip out the Junipers and the rest is history.

Thanks to all who have lent a hand. Its looking pretty darn nice.

THE WORK CREW

CLINT The main force behind this massive undertaking.
THE TWINKS: Really detest this rock shaking party

The reluctant and very helpful FATHER, PEYTON our source of entertainment esp when Opa is walking her around explaining all the nuances of this project

TROY, we couldn't have put this yard together with him. STACY is thinking I HATE DIRT!!! And me, who helped a lot but just can't work like Dan, Clint and Troy.
I did keep the food and cool drinks coming however.
Part One: Northeast corner

The beginning July 2008. Bushes come down, fence is power washed and re-stained and
treated. The stumps come out. How can the summer be over and we still have so much to do here.

The newly improved corner. We formed and poured 60 feet of concrete edging and planted lots of green stuff. Some of the plants look a little shocked from their transplant experience, but they are looking better. We now have in place of 4 ugly junipers, 2 clumps of Shasta Daisy's, 8 Day Lillis, 5 Nine bark bushes, 3 Purple Spireas, 2 May Night Sage, and several others I didn't catch their names, they were free, so we were happy. When everything matures in a couple of years this will be beautiful (I hope)

Stay turned for Part Two,

I know it is almost to much to take in all at once so I'll space it out a bit.

Lots of Firsts

So since there is life after weddings, although I think I am in sewing machine withdrawals,
I thought I would share FIRSTS.

Now really how many FIRSTS could a woman my age have, apparently many. I am not that great a cook, or at least have become less great since there aren't so many to cook for. Since the first of the year I have made at least 7 new dishes and they were all yummy,

however our new favorite definitely has to be 3 Bears Porridge, courtesy of Clint and Aubrey.

I have sewn 6 new patterns (OK this one really shouldn't count)

I planted many seeds and they are now safely nestled in my garden hopefully to grow BIG and BEAUTIFUL.

I had my first manicure (not fake nails, that is way to much for me) and pedicure. I don't care if I ever have a manicure again but a pedicure once a day would be totally acceptable to me.

Now my last FIRST occurred Saturday. We had been at Trek Super Sat all morning, I had been sick all week with a cold and Rachel convinced me I should accompany her to the local massage school that afternoon and share the 2fer they were offering. Since it was only $12.50 for 1 hour I consented. No never again, that really means never. It was OK during the massage, however by that night, all day Sunday and part of today I felt like my body had been run over many times

with a Sherman tank, from head to toe.

Never have my workouts left me feeling so sore, and then I recall what the guy said as he finished. "Well Mrs Wilson you really don't have any spots that seem tight or sore so that was a pretty light massage, we can do a much deeper one next time. HA! that will never happen.
So now I am left wondering, why do people like a massage?

The Perfect Blessed Event

April 22 we headed to Utah for Alan and Michele's wedding. We had a few preparations to do on Thursday, they came together quickly and after a short delay Doug, Heather and Andrew arrived at the SLC airport. We were SO HAPPY to see them. Andrew remembered us and made us feel so "Grandparent-ish. It really is so fun, this grandparent thing. We did a few errands and visited for a couple of hours with Dan's mom before going to the BBQ Thursday night.

Unfortunately we didn't get any pictures except of kids playing on the playground.
(Love those tongues, I think they are related)
They had a large turnout and I think it was really fun for all.

We had to get up early Friday to get the church set up for the luncheon before the ceremony at the Timpanogas temple at 9am. Thanks to all those helping hands who made it possible.

Rachel, Colby and James watched the kids and helped finish food prep while we were in the temple. Rachel wasn't feeling the best, since she is our un-official photographer we didn't get many pics here either. Peyton and Andrew are sampling the food and Michele is sharing how she and Alan met one another.

The Ceremony was wonderful, the sealer said good things and I learned a few new things also. Alan and Michele look so happy and at peace with everything. If they were nervous, they did

not show it. Here are a couple of my favorite pics.

After a couple hours down time we headed to Fruitland for the reception there. Thanks to Michele's parents for a wonderful reception. It brought back memories of my much younger years in a small Alpine and the sense of family those small towns have. I know Alpine is much to big now for many to believe it once was so small.

beautiful music, beautiful food, beautiful cake

more beautiful family.

Jaren is overcome with joy or could it be allergies?

These 2 pics just made me LOL. Can you guess who's been in New Zealand for the past 4 months. That would also be the girl working to be the "favorite" aunt
It was a perfect day. We feel so blessed to have another eternal family started.
Welcome to the family Michele, we love you and feel so blessed because you fell in love with Alan and saw what a great guy he really is.