The little pink shed is getting a makeover. It's currently set up as a shed/greenhouse but most of the plexi-glass is broken plus we don't need a greenhouse. So Doug (and the boys) is updating it. He's removing the old shingles and plexi-glass and installing a new roof. Oh, and probably most important, painting it to match the house.
Happy Father's Day Doug! Thank you for being such a kind, patient and fun role model for our children. They love you dearly. It's so fun to see their faces light up when you come home from work and they truly enjoy spending time with you even if you're doing chores. Great job on being the best dad ever!
So I know I've mentioned before that even though Annemarie is not walking (she has started standing without holding on to anything) she is climbing on everything. Today she started something new and I was able to get it on video so I could share it with everyone. She must have climbed into the jumperoo eight or nine times before I finally took a video of her. Sometimes I wonder if she's absolutely fearless. She has also started launching herself off the sofa as if she knows someone will catch her (and we always do). Also, not to be alarmed, but the mark on her face is a mosquito bite. 
We are so close to having this project wrapped up. People have been asking how the paint looks and here's a sneak peak. The painting will hopefully be finished this week. Our new front door will be installed the beginning of next week and we hope to get all the hardware (lights, house numbers, etc.) up this weekend if possible. Soon we'll be sitting back and enjoying all the changes.
Annemarie has just started doing this...and I think it's so funny. The video didn't quite pick up the noise she's making, but she's making it. She'll blow raspberries on anything, the sofa, my arm, her arm, her highchair, anything that makes the sound. My favorite part is that she thinks it's funny too.
Will's last day of school was yesterday, which means all the kids are officially at home. Today we went to Kalispell and spent a couple of hours at Woodland Park. It is so beautiful there and the kids really enjoyed it. Not to get all sentimental, but I had a moment where the boys were playing nicely on the play structure, Annemarie was content in her stroller and I was able to just sit on the park bench drinking my coffee. It was so nice. I've always had a habit of thinking about the future and I forget to really enjoy the present. So for a few brief moments I truly enjoyed present.
Three mini-pirates
Jack and Will - looking very similar in this picture, maybe it's the squinty eyes. No wonder people mix them up! 
Captain Jack - looking the part of a true fisherman, big smile and messy hair. 
Will enjoying his turn with the fishing pole.
Annemarie is small enough she can ride in her new buggy as well as push it.
Striking a pose.
It's that time of year again - when school gets out and I'm left thinking do I have enough summer activities planned to keep my boys busy? Today was not only Jack's last day of school, but his last day at the Community Christian Preschool. Next year he'll be joining Will at Whitefish Christian Academy. Thankfully many of his friends from this year's class will be joining him there. Today was a fun celebration. The children sang songs, we watched a video with pictures from the school year, certificates were handed out and we enjoyed sundaes. What a great year this has been for Jack. He has learned so much.
Enjoying a sundae. 
Always a clown.
Way to go Jack!
The piles of dirt are gone, but now we have a large pile of rock. Not surprising the boys love playing in it. I think I prefer it to the dirt, but the boys still come into the house dusty and dirty. The rock will be put into place one the house is painted. We're using it instead of bark - plus it lasts a lot longer!
John supervising the less experienced laborer.
The boys hard at work (Jack riding his bike - which was helpful).
The end result - a perfect playing field!
The T-ball season was short! Only one month long with two games each week and no practices. Plus two games were cancelled due to weather. Will had a really great time and looks forward to playing again next year. Since the teams have five- and six-year-olds on them Will and Jack can play on the same team, lucky us! Here are a few shots from his last game.
We are those parents who wipe our childrens' faces after every bite, okay, maybe every other bite. But it was bath night and spagetti can be so fun. As you can see, Annemarie enjoyed eating and playing with her dinner.
Will and Jack on top of the dirt mountain. They really enjoyed digging holes and then standing or sitting in them!
Doug calls this erosion control, I call it watering a pile of dirt.
Back in the Bobcat, what a pro!
All lumpy, but getting close...
Perfectly level and ready for sod!
It's finally getting warm here. This weekend Will got his first big-kid bike. We also invested in new bike helmets and the boys cannot be happier with the "cool" flames.
Annemarie received this baby buggy from my mom this week. She is not walking yet (crawling with amazing speed and climbing on everything), but at least now she's attempting to stay on her feet. She's thrilled with her new toy.
We have a huge pile of top soil in the front yard. The boys and the neighbor kids love playing in it. This is typically what the boys look like when it's time to come in. 
The boys staking out where the fence will go.
The view from the house.
The front of the fence. We're planning to paint it white. 
Our sad deck before without the railing and our deck now with the new railing.
Doug cut everything down with clippers and a hand saw. After it was done I told him we could have purchased a chainsaw, but he said the work is good for him!?
Mr. Bobcat himself - Doug has pretty good skills when it comes to operating one of these.
All clear!
The pile of brush before...
during...
...and after! Great job Doug!
