Happy Birthday Peyton!

Two years ago today almost to the minute that I am typing this, we welcomed the sweetest little package from heaven into our arms. So incredibly chubby at 9lbs 2oz and beautiful! Of course that was the only time in her life that she had to be bigger than average. Weighing in at 22 lbs today Peyton may be small but has a HUGE personality! She makes us laugh when she laughs, cry when she cries, and love her more than we ever knew we could. After 4 years to decide we wanted another baby and then losing 2 we had resigned to love and enjoy the 3 we had. Guiltily we still craved another baby girl. How blessed are we to get EXACTLY what we wanted from Heavenly Father? Our family is complete with our little angel. She is very set in her ways and knows exactly what she wants. Can't say that I mind that she insists on a song sung to her before naps or bedtimes. In fact I LOVE when she sings "Tinkle, Tinkle" along with me. Can't say that I mind that she insists I sit next to her every morning while she gets her fix of cartoons in. Can't say that I haven't enjoyed every minute of the last 2 years with my baby girl! Love you Peyton!

Love is all around...

Okay, so a guilty pleasure of mine is watching "Sex and the City" reruns on TBS. Yes, I know it's not the "best" show to be watching but it comes on after the kids are in bed and is edited, and it's my thing, so be it. One of my favorite things about the show is how the four main characters always seem to feel as though they are on the chopping block when it comes to married folk. Said married folk almost look down on them for being single. Well guess what?! I agree a bit with the married folk. I don't look down on single people but I do feel that being married is one of the greatest things I have done and want the same happiness for all of my single friends out there. I have a few people in particular that I would love to see "tie the knot". Well... I must say, love is surely going around. I have a very sweet friend from high school that I was trying to "set up". he must be some sort of luck (good or bad depending on who you are) charm because the 3 women I was trying to set him up with will all be married within the same month! One was married last week and the other 2... This is where it gets stressful for me.

My little sister is remarrying and is having her ceremony and a dinner following in MY backyard! I will be her florist, caterer, and photographer, as well as set up and take down crew as well. I opted NOT to attempt a cake. Haha. This truly wouldn't be that daunting but Mat's little sister is ALSO getting married and while her ceremony will be in the temple her reception will be... in MY backyard!

This is where a huge amount of stress comes into play. This will be her first (and hopefully only haha) wedding and the guest list is quite a bit larger than my lil' sisses. So preparations MUST and have been being made. Along with basic updating (re staining the doors and such) we have taken this "opportunity" to get some things done in the backyard that otherwise would have sat untouched for a few more years. Exciting for me but very daunting given the fact that summer seems to be Mat's busiest time for work and this summer is certainly no exception. We hate to turn away work but by the time fall comes around poor Mat will be spent.

There are things I can do to help out and major improvements have already been made.

Something I've been working on is keeping our luscious grass luscious. While I am no green thumb I am ecstatic with how it looks! The longer spring has helped the trees and shrubs in my yard look gorgeous!
We finally made the decision to do away the bark that we used around the yard. While we've loved the look and the smell it frankly became to costly to upkeep so we opted to filled the perimeter with rocks. Everything looks amazingly clean! I love it already!
Don't mind the ATV ramps and basketball just focus on the awesome Disneyland ripoff that we've made with our honeysuckle. I LOVE it!

After much pleading last summer Mat built me these beautiful pathways around the yard.

Hands-down our FAVORITE thing about our home! The vines have almost covered the top of the arbor and other than mid-morning when I took these photos it is completely shaded and the best gathering spot around.

My mother's day gift from Mat. He has fought me on hanging plants from the patio for years but finally caved and was pleasantly surprised that he really liked them. They are such a cozy little addition.

Mat stained the back patio and walkway to the front of the house in preparation for the weddings and seriously it took him a full day but oh so worth it!

For my little sister's centerpieces Mat made these boxes and I tried my hand at growing wheat grass. It is TOTALLY working! I planted the grass a few days ago and am hoping it isn't too long by Saturday! I told the kids we could keep letting it grow after the wedding until it becomes wheat again and make bread. Okay that might be a TAD ambitious. Haha.

I don't make this post to brag. Frankly Mat and I work our arses off on our yard and it darn well should look good! (The inside is another story :). ) I am truly surprised and honored that these women have asked us to host such an important event for them and want to make it the nicest we can for them. Our home is no where near the estate style homes that backyard weddings are usually held at but while smaller we are very pleased with how it is all coming together. Best wishes to the brides and grooms!