Yard Work

On one of the hottest days this summer (I'm talking like 115 degrees), we decided to get some top soil dumped on our driveway. The things we do for our grass.

Jack using the Medina shovel, which has been involved in 30 years of yard work.

big pile of dirt.

I helped Jack where I could, which mainly involved getting fresh watermelon and tons of bottled water outside. Duncan.... did not help.

He snoozed. But he does like the grass is greener and softer than it used to be.

We already noticed a difference in the grass. It may be the greenest on our street. Let's hope it stays green and nourished throughout this drought!

And, let's also hope the pile of dirt isn't a yearly event.
-Jack and Kayla

Smart Dog, Cool Dog

It's beginning to hit 100+ degrees each day and Duncan has a new spot to keep cool:

He has figured out the red dirt is cooler than the concrete. I'm glad he is finding ways to beat the heat, but he gets all dirty and ends up needing a hose bath (consisting of using the hose to rinse him).

He makes us laugh.
Stay cool.
-Jack and Kayla

Sprinklers

Who knew getting a sprinkler system may become the highlight of our summer? It's near the top of the list. It's so nice and we hope it helps turns our somewhat green grass into really green grass.

We are waiting for grass over the trench lines to grow back. It may be a while, but we don't mind that much.

Way too much red dirt for my liking.

Hello there little sprinkler head.

It's pretty cool to see them on and watering away... kind of like magic. 

and the green grass grew all around and around....

We thought we had the timer set correctly to water each odd day at 3:00am. However, something was amiss because our grass and Duncan were wet one sunny afternoon. Luckily, we figured it out and stopped that program. Although, we aren't opposed to having the backyard water in the middle of the afternoon to cool off Duncan. Maybe once the red dirt is covered by green grass. Maybe.

Yay for sprinklers!
-Jack and Kayla

P.S. The picture didn't quite capture the tree well. It's worse in person. We are working on reviving the poor guy.

Green Grass!

We are pleasantly surprised to have such green grass so early. We signed up for Scott's to come treat our yard this year (since last year wasn't quite the best for our young yard). It's exciting to see the weeds disappear and little Bermuda grow!

It looks great from the street. Up close, you can still see dormant grass. We are optimistic we will have great green grass this year!

And, I think our tree survived the drought! Hallelujah!


Happy Spring. Stay away allergens.
-Jack and Kayla

Decorating the house

Although it's our second technical Christmas in this house, I'm saying it's our first. If you recall, we closed on our house December 15, 2010, then a short 3 days later left for Colorado, then 5 days later returned for a few days prior to Christmas, then heading to Norman and Duncan (the city). Every minute in between was spent  packing and not decorating our first Christmas. So, we are making up for it this year. Big time.

My Spode, one of most favorite gifts. I didn't like receiving it as a 10 year old, but golly, I love it now.

Our new tree skirt.

Our first tree!!

Up close. We love this tree.

 New stockings and garland. Jack's Nutcrackers.

Here are the other Nutcrackers. Jack says he gets one every year, however I am only counting 18 - therefore there could be 6 nutcrackers on the run....

Our small Spode tree from my Grandma. This guy served as our tree last year.

Our Nativity. Joy to the world!

So the inside is totally ready, and our outside is too!

It's much better in person. We are hoping to add some red and green lights as our lights by the garage. Oh, and garland around the front door.

We are super excited. And maybe I have named a room in the house the North Pole. You know, a room to wrap, sing loud, and be all Elf like (oh, note to self: watch Elf!!!).

Plus, we are seeing Trans-Siberian Orchestra this weekend with my mom. It's our Christmas tradition and I love it. I may or may not be trying to memorize all their songs prior to Saturday. It's hard to recall them each year, since you only listen to them once a year.

We hope you are getting ready for Christmas (and I hope you are staying warm and stress-free!). 

Now, we just some snow...
-Jack and Kayla

Patio Furnitue!

After many months of planning and looking, we finally purchased patio furniture!

Dinner Table.

More seating by the fireplace.

When it's not 105 degrees, we will have you over!

The cushions are a golden/yellow color. The loveseats came with
coordinating red and gold/yellow pillows.

We are so happy to have somewhere to sit in the backyard now. We have already decided the cushions will remain in the garage until we are sitting on them. This will prevent Duncan from being tempted from A) chewing on the pillows/cushion, trying to find the stuffing and/or B) taking a nap on the love seats while we are gone, getting his doggie slobber and doggie sweats on it.

Come sit on the patio with us!
-Jack and Kayla

Yard of the Month

Jack is out win Yard of the Month next year (I'm not completely sure our HOA does a yard of the month award or not....). He has been working hard on weed pulling, clay softening and grass greening in addition to the regular mowing and watering. I guess it's never to early to campaign for Yard of the Month!

Last weekend, we sprinkled gypsm down in hopes it will start to soften our hard red clay. In addition, we sprinkled top soil. Next on our yard campaign, sprinkling some bermuda seed.

We still have a long ways to go. We are in the constant battle on how to kill the weeds in the backyard with Duncan Dog staying outside during the day. Surely the Yard of the Month award is just for the front yard; our backyard still needs a little help. Hopefully the 100 degree weather won't set us back any on reaching this award... next year.

Go Team Geurkink!
-J&K