Our new backyard!

After a year of a mess of a backyard, we have finally invested in an awesome backyard that the kids and adults can enjoy! I wish I took some "before" pictures but was too embarrassed to ever take a picture of our backyard. Our backyard had a major drainage issue - it didn't drain! My father-in-law fixed that problem and did much more!

 This gives you a good idea of our "before" pictures. Except a little work has been done. Before all of this, we had dirt, weeds (ie grass), and trees and bushes. We added pavers around the tree, bender board around our soon-to-be grass, and some tanbark added.

 More pavers, bender board, and tanbark.

 Our new deck with pavers around the trees!! Thanks to my father-in-law.

 Check out all that dirt!

 Our new cement slab that connects to the deck!

 And our new grass!

 Love love love the grass!

I love how the bender board gives shape to the cement slab and grass areas! Next challenge is to keep the dog and kids off the grass for the next week to let it grow! I can't wait to sit under the umbrella while the kids run through the sprinklers, ride bikes around the cement and deck, and just enjoy some outside time without the worry of them riding into the street!

Happy Wedding Day!

Auntie Erin is married! We enjoyed a beautiful day in Shell Beach and had a great time!

Our attempt at getting a family picture

 Handsome Ashton

 What an adorable little outfit!

 Daddy come home! Ashton is enjoying some of cousin Iris' dresses and princess wands!

 Cousins!

 Princess bride and Papa Tom!

The happy couple, Mr. and Mrs. Casey

Violet in her cute outfit overlooking the ocean

Some Besmer family time pre-wedding day

 Violet with Uncle Luke

 Ashton's pal, Papa Tom

 Violet's buddy, Great Papa Bob and Great Grandma Betty

 Uncle Luke trying to control the crazy cousins, Iris and Ashton

The beautiful view from their balcony of Dolphin Bay

Another beautiful day in Santa Maria

 Ashton playing with the broom. One of his favorite outside toys.

 Violet feels like a big girl on the trike!

Her little feet can barely reach the ground but she loves to push herself along.

We enjoyed a couple of days at Nana and Papa's house before a wedding and a memorial. The kids enjoyed some outdoor time. Violet is growing up so quickly and it's so cute to see her turn into a little toddler. Ashton is as active as always. He loves to sweep up rocks and uses the broom against the fence for who knows what?

Violet's 1st owie

Violet took her first nose dive and is the proud recipient of her 1st owie on her nose. Poor little girl! This is all per report of my parents since I was at work. She was pushing her lawnmower down our steepish driveway, it got stuck, and poor girl went down head first. Well, I am sure this is the 1st of many!

Just a regular morning

Just some insight into a regular day in the life of the Besmers. Violet is now walking and explores all of her surroundings. Ashton loves to watch TV and plays with all of his toys. The mess is a daily chore which the kids insist on pulling their toys out of their cubbies, pots and pans out of cupboards, and plastic containers frequently litter the kitchen floor. Oh the joys of parenthood!

Dare I say it???

Ashton is 2 years, 7 months, and 3 weeks and I think he may be potty trained!!! He has done #2 in the toilet for the past 5 days in a row! He has occasional pee accidents but that is usually after naptime when he is not quite awake yet. For the past week, he tells us when he needs to go to the potty and when he needs to go poop! Yeah! Cross my fingers that I haven't just jinxed him!