Landscaping Phase 3

I think we are on phase 3 of our landscaping projects.  I am not sure how many phases there will be, but I am married to a Landscaper so I doubt we will ever be completely done with landscape projects.  Last year we built a new deck.  We planned on finishing a new paver patio under the deck last summer, but when Nate was laid off from work we decided to wait until this summer.  Well, it is finally done.  We still have a few more things we need to do, but that will happen next year.

Here are some before and after pictures.

Before.  Small deck, no stairs, concrete patio, no garage access to backyard.

View #2

Start of a new boulder wall.

New access door to garage.

Boulder wall and boulder steps.

Kaitlyn, Brayden, and Kaylee Spring 2010.

Starting to build the new deck.  14' x 24'

Making progress!

Almost done!  Summer 2010.

September 2011 - New deck stained with new paver patio.

Upper Patio!

Lower Patio!

Kaitlyn's new play set we got for free.  Just needed to add a coat of stain and it looked brand new.

New Patio and deck.

We still need to add sod, plants, and another patio for our fire pit.  That is our next phase to be completed next spring/summer.  We really enjoy our new outdoor space.  It was worth the wait.

Sever's Corn Maze

This past Saturday we took the kids to Sever's corn maze in Shakopee.  We went with two other families from the fire department.  We had a great time and the weather was beautiful.

Kaitlyn and Mommy in the corn pit.

Aimee, Nikki, and Kaitlyn

Kaitlyn making corn angels.

Gavin relaxing in the stroller.

All the kids except Gavin.

The McNeilly's

Our little chicken!

Cheese!

Gavin and Ashlynn in the corn pit.

Kaylee and Kaitlyn buried in the corn.

We ventured into the corn maze and enjoyed finding all the letters of the alphabet... we only made it through about 5 letters by the time everyone started getting hungry.  So, we found our way out of the maze (thanks to Aimee and her great navigating skills) to get some much needed food. 

It was such a great day.  We spent a lot of time in the corn pit, but Kaitlyn's favorite part of the day was jumping on the giant pillow.  (Sorry no pictures on this one.) 

Kaitlyn's First Day of 4 Year Old Preschool

Kaitlyn started her second year of Preschool at Zion Lutheran in Mayer.  She was so excited to go back to school and see all her friends.  She goes to preschool on Tuesday and Thursday afternoon's.  She has the same teacher as last year Mrs. Aurich and her helper Mrs. Hoese. 

Getting ready for the first day of school.

Patiently waiting for mommy to go to school.

Kaitlyn excited to be back at school with all her old and new friends. 

Gavin 7 Months Old

Our little boy sure is experiencing a lot of first this last month.  Maybe I shouldn't say "little" boy since he weighs close to 18 lbs. 

Fun Fact: Kaitlyn weighed 18 lbs. 4oz at 12 months.  Gavin weighed 17 lbs. 14 oz at 6 months. 

Gavin started eating cereal this month and drinking water from a sippy cup.  He loves rice cereal so far.  Last week we tried Peas.  His first couple of spoonfuls went down without a fight.  After about the sixth or seventh one he started making weird faces and by the last spoonful he was crying and not wanting to open up his mouth.  We still are only giving him cereal once a day, but that will soon increase. 

He finally rolled over late last week.  He had rolled over from his tummy to his back awhile ago, but nothing on a regular basis.  Maybe once or twice.  The last few days every time you put him on his back he rolls over to his tummy.  Once he is on his tummy he hasn't figured out how to roll over onto his back again.  He just gets frustrated and cries until you roll him back over.  He still isn't a big fan of being on his tummy.  I think that might have something to do with his acid reflux. 

He is wearing 9 month clothing already and is in size 3 diapers.  He loves to watch his big sister.  He gets so excited when she dances around the living room. 

Kaitlyn's Birthday Party

We had a small birthday party for Kaitlyn to celebrate her 4th birthday.  We invited family to come and celebrate.

As a surprise we rented a Pink and Purple bouncy house. When the guy arrived to set up the bouncy house we asked her what she thought her surprise was? She guessed bouncy house even before he started to blow it up. (Literally the bouncy house was laying folded up on the ground and she knew what it was.) I asked her how she knew it and she said.... because of the screens. (I think we may be in trouble when she grows up.)

Kaitlyn and her cousins Darren and Hailey waiting to go in the bouncy house.

.... Still waiting!

Almost time!

Yeah!  We can bounce!

Opening Presents.  Yeah $$$$.

So happy that she got a travel pillow pet.  Just like her cousin Hailey.

Blowing out the candles.

Gavin and Mommy playing in the bouncy house.

Gavin's First Time Eating Cereal

Our little boy is growing up.  He tried Rice cereal for the first time.  He loved it.

Gavin hanging out in his high chair.

I guess Cody remembers what happens when the high chair comes out.

Yummy!  I love how Kaitlyn has her mouth open while I am doing this... The funny thing is that my mouth is probably open as well.

Kaitlyn's turn to feed Gavin!

All done! Now it's time for some water.

Kaitlyn's 4th Birthday

I really can't believe that my little girl is 4 years old.  She is quite the young lady.  She refuses to wear pants on most days.  Her main choice of clothing is a dress and on occasion we can convince her to wear a skirt and a shirt. 

As I look back on the past year... Kaitlyn has really grown up.  She attended her first year of Preschool at Zion Lutheran in Mayer.  She loves going to school, but can be kind of shy in a large group.  Once she becomes comfortable you won't be able to get her to stop talking. 

Kaitlyn's Stats:
Height - 41 1/4" - 75%
Weight - 35 lbs - 50%

On her birthday - I decided to take a half day off of work to spend the day with Kaitlyn.  I met my mom and we went to get her haircut at my sister's friends house.

After we got Kaitlyn's hair cut, Aunty Anny, Kaitlyn, and mommy went to get Pedicures.  We had a great girl day of pampering.

Here is Kaitlyn on the quilt my Aunt Sandy made for her.  It has a cute picture of Mommy, Daddy, and Kaitlyn sewn into it.

Gavin 6 Months

Our little boy is growing so fast.  I can't believe it has already been 6 months.  He is really starting to interact with the world around him.  He still is not a big fan of being just with his daddy, but they are learning to manage. 

Here are his stats:
Height - 26" - 50%
Weight - 17 lbs 14oz - 50%
Head - 17 3/4" - 75%

Gavin is wearing 9 months clothes.  I am not used to having a child on the other side of the growth chart.  It is taking me some time to get used to.  He has rolled over once from his tummy to his back.  He loves to hold onto blankets. 

He loves to giggle and watch his sister play.  He has to know what is going on and be part of the action.  He still is a mommy's boy.  When daddy watches him they spend most of the time walking around the house together trying to calm each other down.

Our little boy sure does like to make things dramatic.  When he cries you will tip is head back and scream.  His face turns red and usually won't stop until he get's what he wants.  Most likely a bottle.  He only nurses in the morning when he is half sleeping, otherwise he doesn't have patience and would rather have a bottle.  (The pump and I are great friends.) 

He started not sleeping through the night.  He loved to wake up and eat around 2 or 3am and again around 5 or 6am.  Mommy sure missed his previous sleeping and eating schedule of 9pm - 5am.  I think he was just in his 6 month growth spurt.