Backyard reveal

We've finally finished the backyard. We have a few more final touches, but for the most part it's finished! We're so excited to have it complete and enjoy our time back there with friends and family. Last night Lawton grilled our dinner while Weslyn, Kobe, Harvey (Kobe's puppy friend who is staying with us for the week) and I played in the yard. Can't wait to have friends over and use it to bring people together for fun times. All of our hard work has paid off. Thank the Lord He's given my husband the skills to  make this happen. I'm sure people are sick of hearing about how much I love and appreciate my husband, but I don't really care. He's the one who put in most of the long hours and I appreciate him so much. Here's the big reveal:


Before:

This is what the yard looked like for a year. This picture was taken during the winter of 2011-2012. Big thanks to my father-in-law for tackling this tree with Lawton.

The land clearing began summer 2012. Thanks AAA tree & stump.

Back yard cleared

Ground leveled with dirt...lots of dirt.

Grass! Thanks Pat's Nursery for the Bermuda Grass delivery. 

Looking like a good time...

They knocked it out pretty quickly. Graves men at work!

After:

Ta Da!! After 30 days of letting the grass settle and putting up a fence, which I must add that I helped put up, this is our yard.

We wanted to put up a short fence on the side because we love our neighbor. Linda is the best:)

She really loves the grass but she's chasing after the dogs in this picture.

Puppies having a great time

So let's see that one more time...

Before

After

Let's say it all together...oooohhhhh ahhhhh. We're definitely enjoying the yard but now it's time to move on to our next project, which is finishing up our bathroom and bedroom. House projects never end:)

Fast approaching 1 year

I've been in denial for a few months now that Weslyn will soon be 1 year old. People have asked me, "What are you going to do for her 1st  birthday?" I told them, "She's not having a 1st birthday. We talked about it and Weslyn's going to stay a baby...forever." Ugh. I know I'm crazy, but the thought of this little baby starting to walk, talk and become more independent makes me want to cry...just a little. Lawton told me recently that I needed to snap back into reality because this girl is growing up. I'm excited for what's to come but I wasn't prepared for babyhood to go by this fast. With every little move she makes toward walking and every new syllable that comes out of her mouth she's becoming more of a toddler and that little baby is disappearing. My little baby (insert tears). Lucky for me she's still cuddly and wants her dear ol' mom to pick her up often.

I'm starting to come to the realization though that the fun is just beginning. Taking care of the little baby was sweet and special, but we're all excited about the next few months ahead...especially Daddy. For now, I'm going to soak up the last month and a half I have with  little baby Weslyn and start preparing for little girl Weslyn. 

The Backyard

We've been in the process of renovating our backyard for quite some time. We're finally in the home stretch and we've never been so excited to do yard work. Ahh, Holt and Betty Ann must be so proud of us.

This winter Lawton and Holt took down a tree that was in the center of the yard. It seemed to be in the way of everything we could imagine using our yard for...so out it went. In the last couple of weeks the yard has been cleared and dirt has been spread. Here are some beginning and progress photos:

Before

Down goes the tree

My yard guy

Spring time. No more tree but still lots of over grown shrubs and lots of roots above the ground. Lawton also took out the old chain link fence. Let the land clearing begin! Thanks to AAA Tree & Stump for all the work.

Cleared out. Our neighbor, Linda, is so sweet to share a yard with us for a little while.

ground leveled with fill dirt. Kobe has been having a great time rolling around in it.

Stay tuned next week for the big reveal. We'll be laying sod this weekend and putting up a new fence. Wahoo!

Our First Father's Day

Lawton had his first Father's Day this past Sunday. He's certainly earned it. I'm so proud to call him my husband and so glad that he's the father of my sweet girl. He's an amazing dad. He is involved in every aspect of our life at home. He likes to know the details and how our day goes everyday. There isn't a day that goes by where he doesn't ask, "What did you guys do today? How were her naps?" He's very in tune to our life at home...and I love it. He's also in tune to his job but it always come second after us. He loves his job. He works so hard everyday and never complains. I count my blessings everyday and thank God for this great man that I do not deserve.

Always trying new things with Dad...he's the explorer

Dad always provides the fun.

And is always willing to take me for a ride.

Happy Father's Day, Daddy!

To Grandma and Papa's house we go.

We had a great time this weekend hanging out with my parents. It was my mother's birthday as well as Father's Day, so we had a lot to celebrate. Weslyn had a great time hanging out with Grandma and Papa. She really can't get enough of them, especially Grandma. Within a couple hours of being there she was reaching for my mom any chance she got. It's probably because Grandma will carry her everywhere she wants to go for...for however long Weslyn would like to be held. At one point it was for 20 minutes outside of the restaurant. Just like my mom to spend her birthday dinner walking around outside carrying the baby while everyone else enjoys their meal. I wish I had a serving heart like hers. She of course was glad to take her dinner home in a to go box because..." Weslyn needs Grandma." We. are. in. trouble.  :)

Happy Father's Day to my sweet step dad and Happy Birthday to the best momma in the world!

Mountain Vacation

We counted down the days to our mountain vacation for weeks. It came and went in a flash, but we had an awesome time. The drive up was pretty difficult since it was Weslyn's first time in her new car seat, but she adjusted just fine on the way back and slept for about 2 1/2 hours of the trip. Our time in the mountains was filled with hiking, going to the park, lunch by a waterfall and relaxing. It also gave the kiddos a time to hang out together. I was thrilled to see Chesson and Anna Corbin playing with Weslyn. They sure were sweet to their baby cousin. 

On top of Whiteside Mountain

NC Graves on the boat ride.

So much fun on Weslyn's first boat ride. Don't worry, she had her life vest on. We only took it off for her to eat lunch when we docked the boat.

Here's the proof. Stylin' with Gigi's hat.

Aunt By By. She loves adores this woman!

Uncle Corbin. This girl LOVES her Uncle Corbin.

Chesson. This boy is a ball of fun. He kept all of us laughing the whole trip.

Anna Corbin. Such a sweet girl. She was our helper with Weslyn, bringing a paci and lovie  to Weslyn every time she went down for bed. 

All the grandkids with Gigi and Gdaddy. These two people made this whole trip possible. So thankful for how they love all of us!

Anna Corbin doesn't look like she likes Weslyn in this picture but she really does.  She was just a little caught off guard by the hand grabbing her arm. :)

Byerly singing "Itsy Bitsy Spider." She's a wondeful teacher. If I homeschooled my children, I would choose Byerly to be their teacher.  

We couldn't have had a better time. 

Kobe had a great time too. Sweet kisses with his daddy. 

Kobe was so happy he even gladly took a picture next to Weslyn.

Graves Spring 2012

Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes

Oh lots of them in the last couple of months. Changes in our house, changes in Weslyn, changes in the weather (finally). We moved out of our house for about a month (thanks to Gigi and Gdaddy for letting us crash at their house for 5 weeks) and renovated our bathroom. During that time Weslyn started eating food, got her first tooth, starting scooting everywhere and Kobe had surgery. Don't worry, it wasn't major and everything is A-ok. After a day or so of feeling groggy he was back to his normal, playful self. So life in our world has been a little ctiche but as always pretty fun.

First food @ 6months. Mmm peas.

Scooting at 6 months and getting up on her knees at 7 months. Let the crawling begin.

Fun day at Waumba Land venture!

Swinging is getting more fun and less scary.

Kobe post op. Notice the shaved legs. One was from a small growth being removed. The other from the IV.  He was embarrassed for quite some time, but he's recovering from the shame. Lawton gave him a haircut on Sunday, so his confidence is building again. 

The Renovation: We added a shower to the half bathroom in our bedroom. This meant moving some walls and losing some closet space. Definitely worth it! These are progress pictures. After pictures will be up once we're done with all the details!

The new closet in our bedroom.

Hallway of our room. Looking out into the main hallway.

Entry to the bathroom on the right.