"We all live in a yellow submarine"

Kindergarten trip to the aquarium. It was exhausting, but fun. It was so warm that day (last week). I mainly just walked around saying, "California is awesome." 

 Buck's best friend, MS being eaten by some creature.

 Buck's new favorite animals are pufferfish.

 This was our group (the boys who came in our car). The boy are the far left is WILD (but I love him)

 Buck refuses to touch sea animals. One of the reasons I love his teacher is that she stayed with him for about 30 minutes convincing him to touch the rays in this tank - and he did it!! 

 If people choose their spouse in Kinder, Buck would choose this little girl, Ri-Ri. 

There are more pictures, but I won't bore you with them. More house pictures tomorrow! We're cooking with gas now!!

"If you give a little more than you're asking for your love will turn the key"

The much waited for pictures of the current status of our back yard. It took a long time, I know.  My Grandma Jody is coming to the end as is Buck's Kindergarten year, so we've been full to the brim with life (and death). Sad, when a major remodel is one of the minor events in a person's life. 

 The back of the house has been sandblasted and will be re-stuccoed. 

 The concrete for the upper deck has been poured and cut. 

 A close-up of the removed stucco. That is the master bathroom window. 

 I guess these aren't the most up to date because we actually have a cement path that surrounds the dirt in this picture. It's a bike/roller blading/scooter path. 

 The upper deck will be covered (hence, the posts) and the lower space is 1/2 grass 1/2 pool (you're looking at the future grass area). It is currently an alien land for the boys to conquer. 

 I had a weird piece of dirt on the lens, that isn't an apparition. You can see our new spa in the far left of this picture. The pool deck will begin where that wooden stake is (under the speck). 

 This is the view from the inside of our pool. Pool tile, the spa, and above that will be the bar. 

 The other side. They are currently pouring concrete where those white drains are sticking up. 

 The rock slide steps (will be painted next week) and the pool (which will be blue in a bit here) 

 These pictures aren't great because our yard kind of looks like the moon right now. The fireplace is on the far right of this picture. It will be surrounded by grass and this seems to be a point of controversy but I'm a believer. 

 The spa. There will be a waterfall-thing (official name) coming out of the wall. 

 This is the baja/shallow step for the baby and toddlers to have a place to sit (moms too). 

The bas of the bar (directly above the spa on the upper deck). RKZ is very excited about this step. We've gotten the BBQ and the kegerator (spell?), so he's ready for dinners until about 2030 :) 

More is happening but I'm so behind in this. Estimated to be done in the middle of June! Come visit in July (have to give some time to decorate). 

"God gave me you..."

 Yes, today is Mother's Day and we spent so much of the day missing all of our mom's and grandma Jody - But today is also H-P's first birthday. Already. In 7 short years my mother's day went from nothing but hope to my cup running over.

Here are a few quick backyard shots (did I already post these). A special shout out promise to the "Yellow Rose of Texas" that I will post more tomorrow. Do you all  see RKZ's bar in the second shot? The base of his heaven :)

 Back to H-P. Grandma and Gpa Joad sent him one of his only gifts along with extras for the big boys. They were all thrilled with them!

 Of course, I have noticed that little boys always want a plastic mower. So, Here's H-P's.

 His red hair and fair skin is killing us. He's also developing quite the attitude.

 Mickey Mouse always makes H-P scream with excitement. It's weird. I never really got the fascination, but our youngest is obsessed. Here is our 1/2 birthday, 1/2 mother's day cake. It was actually a group of cupcakes - brilliant for the family party.

 All 3 of my boys have now celebrated their first birthdays at my Aunt and Uncle's home in So Cal. I don't know how it happened, but we were here for each birthday even while we lived in Canada!

 Boy cousins and Buck and H-P take a break from the pool for some cake.

 Aunt K holding a soaking wet H-P. But doesn't she look 'Continental' in that outfit?? Love.

 H-P in MM

 I wish I could say that this is his first cake. But, he's a third after all :) 

 3 of the lovely girl cousins enjoying the sundae bowls. 

 I think every child but H-P had at least 2 cupcakes. 

 Thunder trying to warm up while he eats his dessert. 

 Mom, This is T Budd on the giant man-eating fish I can't spell without checking :) It was a VERY popular pool toy. They all loved it! 

 The only thing Thunder wanted to do during the party was play baseball. He asked about every 3 minutes. H-P decided to watch from the shade

 Look at that three year old stance! 

 Thunder will literally hit balls and run and slide all day if he can. He's amazing. 

 Buck was entertained playing pool basketball. We can't get him out of any pool. 

 See? "uncle/cousin" M on the fish (made us all laugh)

 Why walk when everyone will stand around and watch me cruise? 

Our big boy: Now and 1 year ago (about)