The Tree

We spent the day planting some trees on our land. Until today, there was basically just a tree line down part of the property. The rest of the 5 acres is just open land.

Where we live now, we have so many nice, mature trees. They provide a lot of shade and the kids love climbing them! We love them so much. have often wondered what we will do without all these beautiful trees!

We decided what we needed to do was to go ahead plant some nice trees so they can have a head start on growing big and strong!

So even though there is no house on the property, we have trees growing so that someday soon they will be big enough to climb and provide some much needed shade.

We planted a maple tree towards the end of the driveway near where the side door of the house will be. It going to be such a beautiful tree that will provide a nice shade. I am also looking forward to the leaves changing colors during the fall months!

It was fun to visualize what this tree will provide for us through the years....I know one day, when the limbs are sturdy enough, the kids will be climbing it.... it may even be the tree they park their cars under!

As you can see, each of the kids took a turn to help dig the hole for this tree. I wanted them to be able to remember that they each had a chance to help plant this beautiful tree...and how fun will it be to one day tell their kids that they planted it!

It won't be long and this tree will be strong enough to climb and big enough to provide shade and a cool breeze!

The kids worked super hard. They needed a cooling off break. There is nothing like popsicles on a hot day!

The Tractor

Scot and B on Larry's tractor

Our friend, Larry, brought his tractor to help us do some work on the land. Scot and Larry worked hard pulling roots and stumps out of the ground. They also used the box blade to level the ground around the ditch. It looks great!

Things that would have taken a whole day were done in just a few hours with the power of the tractor! We are so thankful to have friends willing to help.

Thanks, Larry, for your time and the use of your tractor!

I think Scot really enjoyed driving the tractor! I know it won't be too long before we will "have to have one" too! Of course, B got a chance to drive too. How cute is he standing there steering all by himself?

E and B were such good helpers today.

I love to see him stand like this!

They love going out to the land. I know when we actually start building the house, they will be right there pounding nails, painting and anything else we will allow them to do!

Our first building project

We spent Labor Day out at the land and we started BUILDING!

OK... so it was just a fort, but at least it was something, right??!!

While Scot was mowing at the road, E and B helped me clear some things along the tree line. There were lots of fallen limbs and overgrown weeds that needed to go. As we moved several large limbs, we could tell that there was a large open space that went back to the fence.

We made our way through the trees and stickers to check it out. It reminded me of adventures I had with my Uncle when I was little. Doug is 9 years older than me and was more like a big brother. Every Sunday afternoon, we went to my great-grandmother's house out in the country. We had lots of adventures in the fields and the woods...building tunnels and forts, solving mysteries..doing all those fun things that kids do when they use their imaginations! Seeing this area in our own woods (tree line), took me right back to those care-free days.

As I shared some stories of these adventures, my kids decided they wanted to build a fort too! I was more than happy to help!

After doing a little more clearing by hand, we decided we needed some more tools. E ran to get some rakes and told her daddy what we were planning. I think he was just as excited as they were.... he jumped right in and started clearing a path for the entrance.

Then, he had the best idea ever....

Talk about clearing an area for the fort!

The smile on their faces says it all!

Oh, and after the kids and I left, Scot made a little tunnel for ONE of the entrances...yes, this is a big fort...two whole rooms! I will have to take some pictures of that when we go back out there.

We may not have started building our house yet, but we are definitely building special memories .... and honestly, we had as much fun as they did!

Labor Day

Monday was such a fun, productive day! We worried that our plans to work at the land would have to be put on hold because of the hurricane in the Gulf. But in our neck of the woods, it was a hot, summer day. It was also Labor Day....and labor we did! We worked so hard that I am still sore two days later! It was well worth it though.

We spent the day doing yard work at the land! Most people would think we were crazy to say we had fun doing yard work. To us though, it is preparing the land for the yard to come..and that is exciting! We know that one day soon, we will have beautiful trees, flower beds and even a garden on this beautiful land.




I think Scot secretly could not wait to start mowing his own land. Here he is mowing around the perimeter of the yard. It think he was having way too much fun on that mower..can you just imagine when (if) he gets a tractor!

Although he did not mow all 5 acres, he was able to get the overgrown ditch cleaned out and the grass cut out by the road. It looks so good! I am so thankful to have such a hard working husband!


Oh, and for the most exciting part of our day! We started building.....how is that for a teaser! Check back tomorrow and I will tell you all about it!