AgFest & A New Toy

 We began our Sunday by saying goodbye to daddy and a yard that looked like this:

The boys and I took off on our annual trek to the Oregon AgFest, to learn about life on the farm.

They dug for potatoes, held baby chicks, saw lots of farm animals, and generally burned up a bunch of energy!

Milking a cow....

 

Tractor pedal race...

 

Dairy Wives Barn - best ever soft serve ice cream!

Lots of tractors!

 

Meanwhile, back at the house, both grandpas and an uncle were helping daddy construct something special...

And we returned to this:

 The boys were very excited, and have been out there playing nearly every day, sunshine or not!

 

New patio

When we moved in three and a half years ago, our back yard was just dirt and an 8'x8' concrete slab.


Over the past three summers, we've added a fence, garden beds, and grass. Last summer we tore up the concrete slab in anticipation of building a deck or patio. This summer, we finally finished what turned out to be a really big project.

We couldn't done it without our parents, who on many occasions watched these monsters, who viewed the patio area as their personal playground, no matter what state it was in:


After hours and hours of digging, leveling, and building a retaining wall late last summer, we began this summer by laying down gravel and acquiring 900 brick pavers.

Then, I spent 8 hours on my hands and knees laying them all out:

My "help"

Enjoying the finished product... we moved the BBQ onto the new patio and set out the kids' chairs and table. Now we're in the market for some adult furniture!