Backyard Updates

Aaron found this bird's nest on the ground last week while he was mowing the lawn. It was really cool. Luckily there weren't any eggs in the nest when it fell.
Emmy found a grasshopper that would actually hold still on her finger. We don't really like grasshoppers in our backyard because they eat plants and flowers in our gardens. Emmy always informs me when she has squished another grasshopper in our war against these pests. This little guy was flattened right after I took the picture. We are nice to all other bugs in our yard. I promise!

My super awesome brother David came over with his friend Brian on Saturday morning to help us move gravel into our back yard. They decided to light a fire in our pit during a break. The girls just sat right down and watched the pyros go to work.

Aaron worked on this small paver patio most of the morning. We had to buy more pavers to finish the area. He did a great job.

We put in more gravel in front of the swing set, around the fire pit, and on the side of the house. It looks so much better. It was a lot of work, but well worth the effort. When we moved into our house 2 years ago, this whole rock area was a mess. There were weeds up to your knees; areas without gravel; and a horrible, homemade patio that was an ankle twister. We are happy with the improvements.

We also put in a new patch of grass next to the new gravel area. The new grass is in the shade of the tree. It's nice to have all of the dirt piles finally gone. David and Brian are my heroes; they hauled off many wheelbarrow loads of dirt in order to level the area for the gravel.

The 6 apples on our apple tree are starting to get big. Yummy!

Here's an updated photo of the garden boxes. The first two boxes are doing wonderful. Our new boxes are not doing as well. I have had to pull a few plants that died. I'm not sure if it was the unseasonable cool/wet June we had or the new dirt is lacking in something. I think it might be a combination of the two.

This is just half of my center garden box. I have 3 lettuce plants that are doing great. My 2 zucchini plants are getting huge. I have a lot of yellow and green baby zucchinis coming along. The best crop so far has been the spinach. Wow! I had so many strong plants that they kind of got really big on me. I can't seem to give the stuff away fast enough.

Here's the pathetic new garden boxes. The tomato plants are just starting to perk up. I think I have 1 big tomato so far. I have lost a few pepper plants, and I hope the remaining ones make it. I had to plant a new cucumber plant because I lost all three plants. It's back there on the right. I put a cage around it to give it a little extra support. We'll see what July brings for the garden. These plants all like super hot weather which we definitely have now.