Yay for Grass!

We have had so much rain lately that it is ruining our grass plans...and washing away all the dirt for the 4th time. After our drought this summer, we should be rejoicing with all this rain, but it makes landscaping impossible! The grass was all lined up to be delivered on Tuesday (tomorrow.) Lee called home this morning as he was leaving for work and told me that he just passed and 18 wheeler loaded full with sod. Sure enough, they landed at our house. I called our landscaper and he couldn't believe they were here. It was still so muddy, and he didn't have a crew lined up for us today, as he was giving the mud a chance to dry out a bit. Well, he pulled members from their other crews to get them out here. We ended up with 2- 18 wheelers of sod. It is starting to take shape. Looking good. About 12:30 today, our 20% chance of rain came in a huge down pour. The crew had mud everywhere. I felt so sorry for them. They worked as much as they could. I am putting in a few pictures of how it looks today. We still have some beds to finish and cleaning up of the trees that were already here.





There are 17 pallets there for the backyard.
This is Claire sporting her outfit that I made for her and Corinne.

Corinne and cousin Lauren...looking for trouble! :)

Andrew enjoying a popsicle.

On Saturday, Corinne went to a dance camp at Vista Ridge H.S. where she spent the whole day playing and learning a routine. At 2:30, the parents got to come back to the school and watch. It was great! She loved every minute of it! That is her in the middle.
This is Corinne with her "ballet friends" Ellie and Bali.
This is what we woke up to Sunday morning. It had rained during the night. So beautiful! (Check out the dirt!) (Oh, and my gorgeous fence!)
We spent Sunday afternoon finishing all the cleaning out at our old house. We are set to close October 8. As I went through the kitchen checking all the cabinets and drawers, I just cried and cried! We have so many happy memories in that house. Not sure why I am taking it so hard, but it makes me tear just writing this. We had never planned to stay there...it is just hard. This is a picture of the girls in the garage as we finished up.
And, my most handsome boy, Bentley.

Doesn't he look sweet and innocent here???

Landscaping has begun!

Last Friday, the landscape crew installed our entire irrigation system while we were at work. We couldn't believe it was done and we missed it. So, today when the crew shows back up, I understand why. There are 8 of them!
From all the recent rains that we have had, we were able to see how the water will flow across our driveway and through the yard. Our awesome landscaper came up with the idea to put a "dry river bed" where all the water seems to collect and move across the yard. Sounded great! Then, he comes up with the idea to add a water feature at the beginning of it and it will always have running water. Lee about came out of his skin at this idea! So, today they got the whole yard prepped for sod, lined out the beds for plants and got our not-so-dry river bed flowing. It looks really cool and I love the way it sounds! Tomorrow they are going to start the planting. Half of the plants arrived today. Only problem is...we are expecting severe thunderstorms for the next 5 or 6 days! That means that they are not able to cut the sod at the farm and get it delivered, until things dry out again! UGH! They worked so hard getting the ground all smooth. (We had huge crevices where the last rain washed out our dirt, creating gullies!)



Digging the hole for the pump.
End of day 2 -
Our wee-little waterfall.

Sort of Settled....

We are still here! Trying to get things unpacked, be Mommy, be a wife, be a housekeeper, a chef, a taxi driver...and still keep unpacking! Wait, I need a wife! Just kidding! We are managing. Things are definitely hectic and we are always on the run. Corinne and Claire were in swim lessons this summer, and we just kept it going because Corinne is doing so well. They are both in ballet and Corinne just started gymnastics. And, they go to school 3 days a week. I'm not complaining...just explaining! I promise I am not purposely ignoring anyone! Anyway, I have included just a few pictures of what is going on around here. The landscaping is finally getting started tomorrow. I'm surprised we haven't gotten a nasty gram or a fine for not having anything yet. We have put about 5 landscapers to the test and finally settled with one. Can't wait to be able to show you pictures! The house is great, can't wait to get things on the walls and get all the boxes out. In due time, right? We had a beautiful iron fence installed a few weeks ago and Bentley loves his yard!
Here is the back of the house. They had to dig and jack hammer over 80 holes for the posts.
This is Claire on her first day of dance...yes, she looks like Medusa. She did great and wants to be just like her big sister!
Here is my handsome boy. Sir Bentley had just had a haircut. He carries himself so high and proud. The biggest news of all.......we sold our house!!!!! Yes, it took close to 2 months. We are so relieved! The buyers did not ask us to fix anything on the inspection. We were completely surprised. That house was built in 1975, we just knew there would laundry list of items to fix. The buyers are a great couple with a 6 year old daughter. They are looking forward to putting in a pool and taking down some walls inside. They invited us to come by some time and see what all they have done. We will close the 1st week in October. Whew! I had to include a picture to show you how great it looks!This is what it looked like when we bought it in the winter of 2006.
Here it is in June 2009.