The Flood of 2010

On Tuesday evening we had a short little storm that brought in a bunch of rain in about 20 minutes.  Our pool dry ground just couldn't take it.  Heath had put in some drainage with the new landscaping but I am not sure anything would have gotten this much rain out of the yard.

Both sides of the yard got it...as you can see, this is the side we haven't done yet.  Although, you can see the hosta garden.

Some low spots in the middle of the yard.

The water was over the floor of the dog kennel.

I can't complain and neither can the plants...they were very happy and I didn't have to turn on the sprinklers!!

The best thing one can do when it's raining is to let it rain. ~Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Garden progress

I wanted to start out with an update on the garden.  The zucchini is starting to bloom and I think that is a good sign!!  Everything is getting so big, it is time to build something to for the tomatoes...they are getting so big and need support!!  Yippee.

Friday evening, Heath and Layne went to Home Depot for another load of retaining wall bricks.  I think that makes 50 or 5 trips, it has been a lot.  He had dug out the steps that will be the center of the retaining wall and so he began building the steps Friday evening and then Saturday.

Heath, after his haircut, moving some bricks!!

The hosta garden is on the south side of our house and is completely shaded.  I got all of these hosta from my mom and look forward to watching them grow.

The steps!!

A view from the top.  All the extra stuff, like the slate, we had in our yard from previous things that others had done.  It is nice to find a place to use the extra stuff.

I don't know what percentage of the yard is done, but this is what is next!!  Poor Heath, I know he is so tired of moving all this dirt and bricks but I appreciate it so much.  I have already spent more time in our back yard this summer!!  Thanks Heath.

Sunday morning, at 4:00am, Heath left for Wisconsin.  That is where the High Performance Championships are this year and he will be there for 9 days.  Since Heath was gone, I decided to not work in the yard and spend some time with Layne.  We ventured to Manitou Springs.  It is very busy there this time of year...everyone is on vacation and this is a very touristy place.  We walked around and visited all the stores,that Layne liked, got rained on a bit...it was nice to get out.  Then spend a quiet evening at home, it was great but.....

We miss you Heath!!

Slumber parties.....

On Saturday, Layne had her birthday slumber party planned.  Since we moved to Colorado, she hadn't had a birthday party with friends.....it was about time.  She helped me clean and get everything ready, she is a great help.  Her friend, Kristen, came over a bit early and helped.....and jumped.

They were in charge of the cupcakes.

Some were a little bigger than the others.

Once everyone arrived, they all hung out downstairs and were no trouble at all.  They played Wii games and watched movies....they were great.  They just didn't eat enough food, or I always get too much.

Also on Saturday, Heath did work in the yard.  He has dug out the steps that will be in the center of the retaining wall.  Now we just need to buy the bricks.

I did plant all my Iowa hostas and thought I took a photo, but I can't find it.  Will just have to take another.

Sunday morning, in usual Heath fashion, he took Sully down to wake the girls.

Heath setting the table for breakfast and 7 girls.

All the girls at breakfast.

Here is just an updated photo of the garden.  Everything is getting bigger and we have only lost one plant.  This would be from the dogs...not sure which one.

Sunday morning, after all the girls left, we decided to work on the side yard.  We are doing these other projects to get rid of rocks in the back, I guess.  I also had lilies from Iowa to plant.

The side yard on Sunday evening after all our hard work.  Still have some rocks to move in the back left corner.  I think I am going to go out after this and work on that!!

Pedro napping on the tramp...I think he likes it because it is warm.

 

It was a great weekend and also very productive. I just wish I could figure out why the weekend goes so fast...I need them to last longer.

Iowa in July....

I left Colorado Springs on July 2 for Knoxville, IA.  It was the BIG Barnett Bash 2010!!  This would be all my family on my Grandma Joyce's side of the family (my mom's mom).  Her dad, Byron, was one of 10 siblings that all grew up near where my grandma lives today.  There is a reunion every year, but every 10 years they try to get more family to come.  Since we had sent Layne out earlier it was a good plan to get her back home. 

It was a really long drive by myself....Pedro was along with me.  On the way out, we only made two stops and made record time!!

This photo serves two purposes....to show how many bugs are on my window (I think I got every bug in Nebraska) and the row of cool windmills.

I decided to go straight to my sister Jessica's house in Newton, IA.  I really wanted to see the kids and it is about a half hour closer.  I also decided to just stay the night there.  I got to play with Cam and Hayes, it was great.

On Saturday morning we headed to the farm to swim and just relax....as it ended up, this was the only day the sun was out.  Also in my stupidity, I went down to the dock with no sunscreen.  I forgot how fast you can get a sunburn by the water.

Hayes wanted to wear a "snorkel mask", he had been talking about it all night.  I don't really think he liked it because he never asked for it again.

Hayes heading up to the house...he is so darn cute and funny.

Cam loved the water and wasn't afraid at all.  She wanted to go in the "wa-wee" all the time.

Later that afternoon we had lunch in the park.

Then more swimming!!

Pedro wasn't crazy about the water and after I took this photo, he jumped in and swam to me.

Layne, Erica and Hayes chillin' on the deck.

Hayes pulling Cam in the wagon.

Grandma Joyce (she looks like she is trying to get away from her crazy kids), my mom, uncle Jeff, uncle Dan and aunt Kay (my grandma's sister)

Layne swimming again with her cousin Taylor, friend Erica and Taylor's friend Stephanie.  They had a great time together.  

Sunday was the big reunion and because the weather forecast was questionable, it was decided to have dinner inside at the Knoxville High School.  It was actually very nice to have enough seats, it wasn't hot or humid...we had a good time.

This is all the members present that belong to Byron Barnett.  I counted and I think there are 9 people missing.  I love how my cousin Greg isn't even looking!!

Monday morning I got some plants from my mom's garden and we then went back out to the farm.  I needed to get lilies from the Wilson Garden but it was raining all morning.  We finally just decided to get geared up and go out and dig.  It did let up a bit for us but it was really muddy.  It was fun out there with my mom grandma and aunt Lori.

 Me and my car load of lilies.

When we went back over to my grandparent's we (Lori, mom and I) decided to take the boat out and retrieve all the balls the girls had lost the night before playing softball in the rain.  It ended up being a highlight of the trip.  We were soaked but having a blast.

I had to shower and change after all of that.  My sister's family had arrived by this time and we got this cute picture of all the grand kids.....all here but Erica.  She is in Norway for the summer...missed you Erica.

We also celebrated Dana and Layne's birthdays.  Dana was 17 on July 6 and Layne was 14 on July 7.  They have both grown up into beautiful young ladies.

The rain did let up just a bit and we were able to play outside.  I really liked this picture of Hayes, Cam and by brother-in-law Zach.

Hayes doesn't sit still very long but I did catch this great photo of him and grandma Joyce.  He was busy pulling his wheel-barrow and repeating "happier than a tornado park".  We later found out it was "I am happier than a tornado in a trailer park."  I find myself using that quote every day since I got home.

Layne and I left Iowa early on Tuesday morning to come back to Colorado Springs.  We did make a quick stop in Omaha to do some birthday shopping!!

I wish that my visit cold have been longer because I really had no time to do anything else or visit others. I should know better than planning such a short trip. So, I apologize to everyone that I didn't get to see!!

It was also nice to go home for a few days and see so much of my family that I don't see very often.

I may have used this quote before, but felt it was appropriate now....

Families are like fudge - mostly sweet with a few nuts.

To see more photos:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=237902&id=578701350&l=cc8493c7ec

 

Layne's Birthday

Layne celebrated her 14th birthday on July 7, 2010.  If only we still lived in Iowa, she would be driving with her permit.  She will have to wait one more year for that here.  We drove back from Iowa on Tuesday (there will be a blog for that also) so that we could be here for her birthday and mostly so Heath could spent the day with her.  Because of his travel, we has been out of the country for her last three birthdays.  He was very excited to spend the day with her and had a list of things they were going to do.

The day started off with Heath and I getting her out of bed and giving her a few of our gifts.

We had her trampoline re-stitched and I think she was excited about that.  I know Roxy is, she loves to lay on it.

Layne got some new clothes.

Some new headphones.

Victoria's Secret??

Card and her favorite gift from Grandpa Steve....money.

After I left for work, the two headed out on their birthday adventure.  It started with a stop at Starbucks, but not just any Starbucks....the one that is connected to Barnes & Noble!!

She had her usual....Carmel Frap and a cinnamon roll.

Then over to buy some books.

Their next stop was Independent Records (no photo) for some CDs and records.  I think they spend hours looking through all the music.

Lunch was Lowe's for hot dogs....yes one of Layne's favorites.

They were giving me photo updates during the day....and this means things are going great!

The day also included a movie....Clash of the Titans.

Then finally some gelato.

After I got off work we headed to Chipotle for some burritos!!

Layne wanted to just hang out at home and watch a movie for the rest of the night.  She wasn't feeling great and pretty tired from the day!!  I fell asleep (like usual) and that was about it for the big birthday.  I think she had a great day and spent some really great time with her dad.  She is having a party with friends on Saturday.

Layne....I hate that another year has gone by and you keep getting older, but I love the person you are becoming.  Happy Birthday Layne.