The Hill

Blogging without the pictures was just so disenchanting to me so I guess I just stopped! But, I feel I must make some effort in updating the Stacey Stuff blog so here goes.

Our big project in the last couple months has been "the hill" in our backyard. It used to be a giant slope of dirt until the Homeowners Assoc said they were going to start fining us if we didn't cover the dirt! So, we have shoveled and hauled 10 tons of rock in buckets and wheelbarrow to cover the dirt. But wait before that- we built a retaining wall about 5 feet into the slope. And then JD dug the trenches and installed a drip system for the plants we'll have up there. Next we leveled the back yard with a rake. Now we are in the process of putting the slide on the hill and building stairs to go up next to it. I use the word WE loosely. By WE- I mean...JD for doing some major manwork. Jenn, Collin, and Connor probably hauled 2 or 3 tons of rocks up the hill themselves. Glen shoveled and raked. Virginia cleaned our whole house while I hauled rock up the hill (Oh- and painted a bathroom and hallway!). Jordyn, Tyson, Luke, Joey, Cade have been working very hard shoveling, raking, hauling!! Lindsay thought of the slide idea. Melissa found it on Craigslist. We borrowed the Scott's Suburban to get it. So, by WE- I mean a lot of people have helped us and we sure Appreciate it!!! It's been the best family bonding for us and I find myself wanting to go "work out back" just for a stress reliever and to spend time together. Its very satisfying!

The next huge project we've been working on is potty training Cade. You would think that potty training my 5th and last child would have been a piece of cake. Well, at least I thought it was going to be. I think I honestly forgot what to expect of a 2 year old potty training. It takes some time and patience. Time I have- Patience I lack. I think I expected it to take 3 days. I almost gave up after 5 days, but then JD realized that he couldn't get his pants down on his own and he's much too independent to actually come to tell me to help him. So, the key was to let him run around in underwear most of the time (no shoes). I'm grateful potty training is over for the rest of my life! If my kids ask me to potty train my grandchildren- remind me to say NO!

We are loving living here! It's fun to get a lot of visitors! The kids are all enjoying school. I think Jordyn has finally blossomed here- it took her the longest to adjust, but she is now coming out of her shell.

Tyson doesn't know what a shell is. He tried out for the school play yesterday. I think by his convincing- Joey tried out also. Jordyn decided to at the last minute. And Luke was sad that he didn't try it after watching the other kids try out.
I can't believe Joey is doing it though. It's so cute, cuz they asked them to say their name and age in their loudest voice. In just above a whisper, Joey says "Joseph John Stacey- six years old."

It's fun to watch them grow!