We've made a few changes. Observe:

Before

After

Old and busted

New hotness

Lame

Sparkly

Several varieties of mushrooms have popped up in our yard the past month or so. I don't know if it's just because of all the rain or if we'll get them every summer, but I do hope this is the last year we'll have to watch close to make sure Lillia doesn't try to eat them.

Last Saturday was hot and sunny, so Lillia and I had our lunch outside. Then we had popsicles and ran around the yard. Matt and I did yard work and then at dinner time, I grilled up some chicken and, once again, we ate outside.

It's a good thing we spent all that time outside on Saturday, because it has barely stopped raining since. Ninety-degree Idaho, here we come!

I've witnessed a lot of births, but none were as fun as this one.

Seriously. Fun. 

Between pushes, my sister-in-law, her doctor, her nurses, her baby daddy, her mom, her grandma, and I talked about sneaking out as teenagers, cracked jokes about LeBron James, and rooted for the final push to come at the minute we had each predicted. After almost an hour of painless pushing, this sweet little thing popped out.

Kierra Lynn: 6 lbs., 9 oz; 19.75 inches long; born at 7:55 p.m. Thursday, July 8, 2010

Hooray for epidurals!

I planted these Lilies outside of Lillia's window earlier this summer. All I can say is, it looks like SOMEONE is happy about all the rain we're getting...

There's nothing sexier than a man with a well-manicured lawn. Hold your cat-calls, ladies; he's all mine! (So is that sweet house in the distance...)

I worked until my whole body ached and now have MUCH more respect for wedding photographers. Here's a little sample of what I came up with. I need a couple of days to process the event - and the rest of the photos. Hopefully I can present my sweet Cristina (the bride) with something that she will be happy with for all the wonderful years to which she can look forward.

This is just a picture I thought was pretty cool. Sorry. Long week. Totally ready for the long weekend. Happy Memorial Day everyone.

I'm helping to host my sister-in-law's baby shower tomorrow and someone talked me into making the candy for the favors myself. Despite my never-ending battle to simplify my life, I decided to give it a shot. I'm glad I did. Quite pleased with myself. Quite.

Have I mentioned that I love my house? More than anything, I love the outside of my house. And seeing the green emerge in the trees from every window is just one of the reasons why.

Can Calla Lilies be planted in Alaska? Because if so, dude. My garden is going to be wicked awesome.

My sister-in-law Kaili is expecting her first baby on July 7. You wouldn't know it though because she is TINY and looks AMAZING. Feel free to hate her.

He was born on Friday, but not in time for me to get home and post my Photo Friday. So you get a Photo Saturday. 

Mason Duran Szybnski; Friday, April 23; 7 lbs, 10 oz; 20 1/4 inches

My baby brother is a daddy! And each of us kids is now - officially - a parent.

I've been holding off introducing the new members of our family because - to be honest - I am completely embarrassed. My husband, at this rate, will have our nice, clean, kid-friendly backyard turned into a farmyard before you can say "shit-free BBQ." 

                       Meet Blackie, Pecker, Cinnamon, Deliliah, Chicken, and Nugget.

And that's all I have to say about that.