Meet our New Backyard {Memorial Day Weekend}

The biggest event/project that we tackled over the long weekend was our poor excuse for a backyard. Now, looking back of course, I wish I took 'before' pictures for the full effect. But during, I thought for sure you, dear friend, would have lost complete faith in our ability to keep-house. Just imagine: toys strewn about, a patio table set sent from the 80s that my parents generously donated during their move five years ago, a random rectangle of fake grass cluttered with giant tree stumps and dried dog poop, and neglected planting pots stacked haphazardly. A giant jasmine bush that hasn't been pruned in ages and could be mistaken for Cousin It. Don't forget the miscellaneous weeds here and there that climb to your knees. Got that imagine? Now see why I didn't want to include a 'before' picture?! 

Our backyard wasn't always so neglected. W has spent hooooours out there trying to get it back in order. But it really was a two day project and we never had two consecutive days that we wanted to spend back there. {So grateful that we did a fun adventure weekend last weekend so we could be content to stay at home.} The other problem was we kept the few items that we wanted to get rid of in the hopes that we would trash them soon. That never happened. This time we really did the dirty work and moved them out of the backyard. We finally had a blank slate. The back now has designated purposes and has so much more room! Seriously, we made a break-through.

I pulled out lights and our recycled tire chalkboard {that I bought from our local antique fair} from the garage; both I got two years ago. 

We used the lights to section off the 'dining/lounge' area which is right outside of the sliding door.

As you can tell, we don't have anything to sit or eat off of yet! Still working up a plan for that one.

Next, we randomly found a stake out here which I knew would work perfectly to complete this project. W nailed the boards in and we stuck it into the ground next to our baby lemon tree.

E and I potted the rosemary and mint this week. And I put up a burlap banner I made for a friend's upcoming outdoor wedding. I may not want to let it go, but it needed a good temporary home to motivate me to finish the rest of the crafts for her event.

The little plant area sits next to E's hoop and basket of outdoor toys. The open space is available for a kiddie pool during the summer or maybe a little sandbox. We're still planning on putting a large chalkboard against the wall for the boys to use, but like the furniture, that's a project for another day.

Even if we aren't outside, I turn on the lights every night. They are fun enough to enjoy even from inside the house.

So amazing what a simple box of lights and a couple of lanterns can do to enhance the mood. :)

We're kinda obsessed with the space now and have had several picnics outside since the weekend. It's gonna be a fun summer! Now, if only we can fully complete the back before summer's end I'll be ecstatic! Nonetheless, I'm completely a happy camper and so glad we put in the two days that were needed to get 'er done!

I'd invite ya'll over, but you've got to be okay with sitting on a blanket over concrete for now...

W's Birthday

William's actually birthday fell on a Tuesday. I wanted to still do a little something special so I made one of his favorite meals {starch and cream overload}, got some balloons and dessert, and randomly created birthday party hats during naptime {in an effort to avoid laundry as well}. Ezra and I also made him birthday cards the week before. 

We had a silly good time.

 Ezra called them our 'dessert hats' and we may or may not have worn them on and off the rest of the week because we liked them so much. They were a hit.

And here's some Theo photo love. In case you worry about us neglecting him in pictures {or in real life for that matter...}. It's still hard at this stage...he's either napping or I'm wearing him much of the time I have a camera in hand. And have you ever tried to take a decent photo of your back?! It's basically impossible. ;)

Theo had way too much fun with W's balloons. It was super helpful for getting things done the rest of the week. ;) And if I could figure out this camera for low lightening or remember to button his onesie post-EC, I'm pretty sure these pictures would be stellar. {i kid, i kid}

Birthday Weekend {Part 2}

Our coastal hike ended up being a grand and beautiful adventure. Lots of great views of the Golden Gate and fog city.

The trail was beautiful. Lots of flowers, greenery, and butterflies.

E passed out on our way up and even napped on the ground. We lunched and rested near the top before heading down.

The view on the way back was just a gorgeous.

E did some hiking as well. ;)

The last view as we made our way back to our car: Horseshoe Bay.

We made it back...smiling and in one piece.  Such a great way to celebrate our birthdays together.

Until next time...

Birthday Weekend {Part 1}

Poor neglected blog. Since my favorite photo collage website shut down and no subsequent replacement is available quite yet, I'm dragging my feet to post pictures off my camera. Oh well.

 The past two weeks have been full! One of the highest highlights was our birthday weekend...as well as a highlight that was actually fully captured on camera, not just our phones... Instead of being responsible adults and cleaning house or doing laundry that still hadn't been done post-OC trip, we left Saturday morning in hunt of a family adventure.

Our plan: Muirwoods. Hiking. But when we were still five miles out and about to begin the windy road, we hit solid stand-still traffic. It was time for plan B.

We decided to just follow the 1 South and happened to get off at Fort Baker; same place that houses the Discovery Museum. We parked, got out to stretch our legs, and find a bathroom. Plus, figure out what the heck we were going to do next. As we were walking up to the water, we saw a Coast Guard tent with people standing around with life-jackets. Turns out it was "Water Safety Week" or something of that sort. So, the CG had a few boats docked and were letting people on.

 Cool! We'll check that out.

We all got to sport the vest-wear before looking in their boats!

We hung around the dock and ships for awhile.

Then it was off to the Bridge for a nice family photo op. And that's when we saw that little sign right there on the path. Hiking trails!! Perfect! Couldn't have planned it better ourselves...clearly. And so, our make-it-up-as-we-go-plan B was already proving to be a grand adventure.

We loaded up all the goods and set off to follow the arrows.

And I'll leave it at that for now. I took a ridiculous amount of pictures that should have their own post. That way I'm not force to omit too many. ;)

Off we went to see what this "Coastal Trial" was all about...

Our {OC} Weekend

If you're an instagramer and follow, I filled up your feed with our adventure to visit W's family this past weekend. We were surprising my mother-in-law for her 70th birthday. It was a whirlwind trip and we packed it full of fun. 

Friday morning our AIS {ass-in-seat} time was set for 8:30 and I'm pleased to report that we made it by 8:35! The boys did pretty well in the car. Since facing Ezra toward us when he was one, he's been a fabulous traveler...Theo, not so much. But he did well.

We made great time and got to Wes and Carolyn's house by mid-afternoon. The boys set up for a cousin camp-out with the Papas. 

 The kids played, climbed trees and enjoyed the last sliver of sun. 

We got to see Shane and Alyson too because Ruth went to the hospital for Grandbaby #17's birth. My sis-in-law, Dorothy, brought Theron Joseph into the world that night. Following set-up, we had dinner and a movie {Wall-E}.

E did great sleeping in the tent! He's got Swenson Camping in his blood already. Saturday morning was lovely and slow; including a yummy bfast.

Then instead of naptime at the normal hour, we sneaked off to the beach for a few hours before the final prep for Mama Judy's party.

It was such a great time. There really wasn't much time left for extras this trip which made me sad {Ams, I wished we could have seen you!!!} so it was super nice to get at least one bonus activity in. For that, I'm grateful!

Then it was off to celebrate this lovely lady whom I'm blessed to call my mother-in-law!

She was beyond surprised and SO happy to see most of her children and grandchildren there. I really think she delighted over the whole deal. :) And of course, I caught some more cousin craziness!

 Eating a cupcake a la concrete.

 We all stayed up way too late, but as luck would have it, the boys slept in and we woke up in time to pack up, say good-byes, and load up the car before eleven. Then it was back on the road yet again. And who knew it would be so eventful...

We were right behind an accident on the last part of the grapevine. Since the CHP hadn't arrived yet, W got out to help and check in on the couple who's car was completely smashed up. Thankfully, they were fine and the CHP arrived shortly thereafter. And then not too long after we were back on the road after lunch, I got a call from our local police telling us our car had been hit and needed a tow. 

My parents came to give them the keys and snap some pictures so we could see. Yikes! So sad! This car has been my car for the last 13 years. Definitely an end of an era. Of course, at this point it's only W's commuter car, but horribly inconvenient for us nonetheless.

By the time we arrived home, the car was towed and turned over to insurance. I didn't even get to see it in person...probably better that way. But it definitely was the talk of the neighborhood since two others were hit. 

The boys did so outstanding the whole way back and we made really good time. Once back, we did some yummy fast food, biked a few times around the block for good measure, showered and put the boys to bed.

Quite the weekend, indeed!