New and improved

This summer we did a lot of work...and other people did a lot of work at our house. It began in the spring with the chicken coop rebuild. What started out as a fairly simple project ended up being more difficult and more involved than we hoped. But the end project turned out awesome. The chickens are very happy with their remodel.

The second project was the back patio. It needed a ton of work. When we built we put in a railroad tie wall because it was cheap and served the purpose. Unfortunately it stopped serving it's purpose a few years ago but we waited until this summer to have it redone. We had Phil Perkins, a local builder, do this project for us. I have to say our back yard is a beautiful place now! The blocks look beautiful and the steps are no longer a death trap. The landscaping was grueling, involving removing lots of sod, but fortunately we have some strong boys. By mid summer they were wishing school was in session so they could have a break from work.

Before

After

Then the final project was the addition of a front porch. For this work we hired our builder, Dan Heinz to do this job. The porch was something Ted envisioned, and I have to admit I didn't care one way or another. I liked our house without it and was worried I wouldn't like it with. Boy was I wrong. Our house looks so much for inviting with it, plus the porch adds some great outdoor space. We all use it, it is not uncommon to find even one of the kids out there reading or just relaxing. And of course the outdoor cat loves sitting on the rocking chair. With the new porch came a new sidewalk and landscaping. The old sidewalk was a terrible shape. The men who poured it showed up one day when Emily was just a few weeks old. I told them how we wanted it but they didn't listen and did it the fastest way they could. Yes it worked but it was really ugly! With the new sidewalk came new landscaping. This was probably my favorite part of the summer! I loved planting all the stuff. Found a great nursery in Chillicothe called the Picket Fence which had a great sale when I was ready to buy. Of course the landscaping involved the front of the house but then migrated around to the side and the back as well! I have never loved our house more. The flowers beds are beautiful, the porch is relaxing the back patio so peaceful. I am anxious for spring already to see everything back in bloom!

Emily's 11th birthday

Eleven years ago today Emily entered our lives and filled our hearts with love and joy! I am beginning to feel old as each of the kids are growing so fast. The boys have both passed me in height and Emily isn't far behind me. Emily is such a fun girl to have amidst the boys! She is definitely a girlie girl (nails, accessories, hair, outfits, etc) ... but doesn't mind riding dirt bikes and playing the PS3 with the boys. She is an avid reader and is really enjoying piano lessons. We didn't celebrate a lot for her birthday today as Ted is in Canada on business but is back on Friday. Fortunately this is the only birthday out of 39 that he has missed. Once he almost missed one of Mason's as he didn't get home from a business trip until about 9pm on Mason's birthday . Pretty good record I think. Happy Birthday Emily! We are so thankful that God blessed us when he brought you into our home! We love you!

Trip to Indiana

A few weeks back we took several days and went to Indiana and for the first time ever our trip wasn't primarily to visit family but to visit Indiana. We spent 3 great days around Turkey Run State Park...hiking, canoeing/kayaking, horseback riding and go-karting. We had wonderful weather, low humidity and the temperature was just around 80 degrees...perfect. The boys took kayak's out and Ted, Emily and I were in a canoe. What a peaceful day. We stop several times to play on sandbars where we swam, skipped stones and found Indians beads and rocks that we were sure had some purpose by an Indian. We went go-karting several times which was a blast! Horseback riding was on our agenda, after an hour in the saddle we wondered how we would hike...but eventually our legs returned to normal. Logan had the most hilarious horse. As soon as we head out of the coral his horse starts coughing like it it going to drop dead any moment. I asked the guide if his horse was okay, turns out he just has hay fever!! Go figure a horse that is allergic to hay! Ha! Then when he hoarse wasn't coughing it was farting. Logan had the gassiest horse I have ever been around. Let's just say Logan was matched perfectly with his horse! We spent a few hours at Billy Creek Village, an old time village set in the late 1800's. We wandered through the old stores, school house/church, farmstead, etc. We drove around Parke County listening to Ted reminisce about his youth. We saw many Amish farmers out working. We visited the Narrow's Bridge where Ted proposed to me almost 20 years ago! On our last day we spent on Ted's brother Bill and his wife Darla's boat. The kids loved being pulled by the tube!

Emily searching for skipping stones

Mason and Logan...splashing each other

Suspension Bridge at Turkey Run State Park

The Narrows Bridge (Red Covered Bridge-not used anymore)

The Narrows Bridge

Suspension Bridge over Sugar Creek, Turkey Run State Park
Climbing the ladders
Logan on top of Wedge RockMasonBilly Creek Village
Amish working their fields (love the cell tower in background)
Mason, Logan and Emily with Aunt DarlaEmily and tubing with her Uncle Bill
Mason and Logan trying to hold on tight

School's out and creativity is flowing!

School has been out for a few weeks and the kids are beginning to get bored. Last week while I was running errands I left the kids and the cat home....alone....with a sewing machine, scissors and fabric! Emily had began the day with sewing some "outfits" for the cat. Alley cat did very well for her fittings. When I was gone everyone was involved in the making of the pant suit. Emily instructed the boys how to use the sewing machine. Logan took the careful measures of the tail length, inseam of four legs, neck size, etc. Mason cut the fabric and stitched the creation together. Alley is an amazing cat, she doesn't scratch or bite which is good because I am sure the kids would have been torn to shreds after this project! If anyone is interested in Pet Outfits by the Green kids just let me know, keep in mind the handle may be extra charge!