The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The next best time is now. ~Chinese Proverb

I bought my dad a pair of crimson maple trees for Father’s Day back when I was in college. He built a new pole barn in the interim and moved one of the trees to accommodate. The tree never really recovered and finally gave up the ghost this past year. My dad wanted to replace it but the survivor of the pair is now quite good sized. What to do? Solution-get the biggest tree we could find. My dad who is in his 80’s said “you know I only have so long to watch trees grow” – don’t we all? We paid some neighbor kids to help us and we also planted a sycamore at the same time. In addition to replacing that dead tree we are taking an inventory and trying to plant a range of trees that aren’t currently growing there. I am sure there will be a follow up to this post with different trees next spring. I hope some day Caelun and Abbi look at these pictures and say “Gosh I am glad my parents and grandparents planted those trees 20 years ago” and then I hope they plant some more.

Picking up the trees with our truck.

 

Meagen and Levi work on freeing the root ball.

Everybody get ready to PULL- Caelun is cheering from inside the truck.

 

Meanwhile Kyle and Bryar help with clean up on the side of the garage.

And it landed!

This is the one he wanted to match.

Tree 2 the sycamore.

Again we have it in the ground. Lets hope they grow and outlive us all.

Our anniversary shed- 5 years is iron/steel right?

Okay so the traditional anniversary gift for a 5th wedding anniversary is wood but Clint found this great deal on a metal shed and we just never seem to have enough storage. Our anniversary was June 25 and nothing says true love forever like “let’s find a place to put all of our junk together”  He and his super toddler helper built the floor and assembled it including all 1000 screws, nuts, and bolts. I can think of stranger metaphors to celebrate a mirage but I won’t go there. (wink) I spent part of the summer painting it to match the house and caulking it to make it weather tight. We are very happy with. We call it the “toy box” and we keep all the bikes, trikes, wagons, pool toys, yard games, balls, and beach towels in it. It has also become a defacto changing room for folks who don’t want to go inside to change into or out of bathing suits.

“Okay dad- floor is done what’s next?”

 

Now for the sides- nobody breathe…

 

What a great helper.

 

Now for a roof.

It’s a headless husband.

 

Ta Da!!!!

Yeah for storage! Love you honey and happy anniversary- wood, steel or whatever.

And Eagle in our midst.

Whew I have been on hiatus from this blog for waaaaay to long. LOTS of catching up to do. I have been taking a college class along with the regular craziness of a new school year for a 2 teacher, teenager, toddler household but catch up I will. I will do my best to keep our family story moving along in chronological order. This is from June. Our dear neighbor friends now have an Eagle Scout in their house. Levi was 5 when I moved in across the street. He is now an Eagle Scout- the highest honor a boy scout can earn, 16, and driving- oh my. At any rate here are some of the festivities of his Eagle Court. Congrats Levi!  Stacey the proud mom. 

Fellow scouts join in the celebration.

   

Many merit badges.

Former uniform from his cub scout days.

The ceremony begins.

 

Brother Bryar helps in the ceremony.

Abbi watches as the flags are carried in. 

Brien and Stacey wait to be introduced.

     

We all stand as the Eagle Scout honor is awarded.

Mean while the wild toddler runs amuck outside.

Warning alright…

 

Daddy corrals him.

Levi receives his award.

Proud brother Bryar carries the flag in the processional – almost no one noticed when he hit the ceiling. (wink)

Yeah for the Eagle Scout!