Ketchup...

Finally, I get to "ketchup" with you. After a week full of wedding invitations, tying bows, and typing address labels it's nice to finally see the end of the road. I have lots to share with all of you, so let's get caught up, shall we?

First, I have to send a HUGE thanks out to my brother Spencer...I know he silently cyber-stalks me and I just want to tell him how much I appreciate him. He is my hero this week. First, he stopped by on Saturday, just to say "hi". We had a nice visit, but best of all was that Leo got to take a picture with his Uncle "on duty". I've been wanting to get a picture like this for so long and am glad to finally have gotten it.

Back to why Spencer is my hero this week. I noticed last week that I was finding a lot of insulation around the side of the house. I quickly began to investigate because any time you find insulation lying around when you are not remodeling has to be a bad sign.

Sure enough, I found an opening in the eaves under my roof where some birds were building a nest. I knew I was going to have to get rid of them quickly but put it on the agenda for next week...that was until I heard the birds inside my walls pecking around trying to break through. I called a Pest Control company because I didn't want to bother any body and I figured how much could that really cost? $250.00 is how much that could really cost to have some body come out and rid me of those pesky birds. So for that amount of money, I figured I would call Spencer and ask for a favor even though I hated the thought of bugging him when he has much bigger projects and things to do at his own home. But like the brother that he is, he came right over, and literally within a half hour of my call he had the job done! I was dying as he set up his ladder to reach up to the nest though! Holy Toledo...I was so scared he was going to fall. I literally had to say a prayer for his safety. He just laughed at me and said I was over reacting.

Thanks again, Spence! You rock!

Let's see...then there is Leo. Mimicking is a big deal right now. He is starting to copy hand gestures or different little things that he finds amusing. A few nights ago, he and Leonard were playing together and Leonard taught him "on your mark, get set, go!" I LOVE THIS! He crouches down, getting into position, and when you say "go" he takes off running. I just think it is so cute and demonstrates one of the many ways in which he is no longer a baby by any means. Sigh.

Then there is my backyard projects. Leonard and I made a goal to make the yard a more inviting place this Spring. Since we've got the baby who loves the great outdoors and would stay out side all day if he could...we figure it'd be nice to be able to enjoy the space. We've got the yard, we might as well use it, right? A few weeks ago, you may remember we worked on the flower beds and spruced that up.

Well Leonard's sister gave us her old patio set that was left at her house from the previous owner. We quickly jumped on it when she offered it to us -- those things are expensive! It needed a lot of work though, but I was up to the task. After 2-days of scraping, prepping and painting it looks really good, and truly doesn't even look like the same set that we were given. I'm really proud of it. Take a look at the before and after photos.

Lastly, we got to squeeze in a visit with my girlfriend Sharla. She was the friend who was pregnant during the same time as me and we shared the same due date. She is originally from Seattle, her husband has been attending Cal Tech for the past 7 years. Sadly, she is preparing to move back home and we are trying to get in as much play time as possible while the opportunity is still available. I love Sharla, she is a dear friend and I will miss her when she goes. Her daughter is such a cutie! Well that about does it for us since I last posted. You are all caught up, thanks for reading.