Yardwork, Drivers Ed and Demolition!!

So I've grown to like the look of a freshly cut lawn. Problem is we have way too big of a lawn and it's the beginning of summer. In order to achieve a fresh cut lawn we have to cut at least once a week. The section off the back porch took it upon itself to populate with crab grass which grows at a tremendous rate. I swear i cut it with the mower and the next day it is back to where it was the day before. It's astonishing! Just another thing we need to take care of.

Due to my new fascination with fresh cut lawns, i've had to learn how to help maintain this jungle we own. I've learned how to cut with the tractor which I have to say is quite relaxing. I climb on with my ipod and just ride....for hours. I can get some great thinking done as well as a great tan. I've been caught several times singing at the top of my lungs. The birds don't seem to mind and I can't hear myself so my hope is no one else can either. The picture below is of a very frustrated me on the tractor. I needed Willem to help me figure out how to turn the thing off and he was busy snapping away pictures!

I think our tractor looks like something off Bob the Builder. It's cute! (Don't tell Willem I said that) We've yet to give it a name but i'm working on that.

We spend a lot of time cutting down branches these days. They hang too low and one has to duck and maintain control of the tractor to get anywhere near the trees. Therefore the fourwheeler gets used a lot to haul branches to and from our burn pile. The girls have come up with their own mode of getting around too. They've taken the once neglected Barbie Jeep and now it is their very own off road vehicle. They will go to get the mail for me. Run up to the house to retrieve stuff for us and ride all over the place just for the fun of it.

Maddy took it upon herself, being the big sister that she is, to teach Savannah how to drive last weekend. It's a scary glimpse of the future. Savannah isn't the best driver and Maddy gets really impatient. I guess the front yard is the best place for Savannah to learn. Thank God we won't be letting her get behind a substantial wheel anytime soon!

We started our next big project tonight. Below is our mud room. I am in love with this room. I have this vision of it being the entryway from our outside chores and play. My goal is for the kids and us to clean up in here before tracking dirt and mud in the house. It is already equipped with a half bath. We decided to add a shower in there so Willem can really clean up when needed and we have a full guest bath on the first floor. Our goal is to get this done before July 6, when my sister and brother in law show up for a visit. We wanted to have something for them to use and we need it when we start demolishing the master bathroom after they leave. Josh and Janelle we can't wait for you to get here. We'll be taking a much needed break!

I know the pictures look fuzzy, but Willem tells me it's from the sheet rock dust in the air. Maddy loves demolition as you can see. She's a big help. Savannah, well Savannah likes the thought of helping but she's there for moral support and posing for the camera.

We'll post more pics as they develop and some pics of our new tree house and "swimming hole" soon. Till then Happy Trails!