Backyard Makeover Part I

Our sad little backyard is

finally getting a little love.

I drew up some plans a few days

ago.  I've had this idea in my

head for a while, but we are

finally getting it going!

I got the plants put in - 

we plan to take the current patio

out this weekend.

We are still trying to decide

on pavers for the patio, 

but we've narrowed it down.

 The backyard plans

Here are the before pictures of the backyard...

We will be ripping out the concrete and replacing it with pavers -
making it a much larger patio.

The side backyard

My little helper

Our little tree

He's such a good little helper

Can't wait to get the patio finished so all our stuff will fit on it.

As you can see,

we don't have a lot of room

to work with - but I think the plants

alone have made a huge difference.

I will blog the finished product

in the next couple of weeks!

Toby Keith

We had the privilege of

going to the Toby Keith concert

Thursday night.  Eric got free

tickets on base.  Toby Keith donated

a bunch of tickets to the base.

He is a very proud American.

He's also an Oklahoman.

I felt like I was in Oklahoma

last night.  There were lots of

cowboy hats and cowboy boots.

I even saw a few OU and 

OKC Thunder shirts!

Unfortunately, we missed

watching the second Thunder game.

They lost.

I promise it wasn't my fault.

I was cheering for them

and checking my phone

every five minutes for updates.

The next game is Saturday though,

so there's still hope!

Usana Amphitheater 

Usana Amphitheater

Usana Amphitheater

The mountains in the background were so pretty - and look at those "thunder boomer" clouds!

Eric and me at Usana Amphitheater

Eric and me at Usana Amphitheater

Toby Keith at Usana Amphitheater

Toby Keith at Usana Amphitheater

Toby Keith at Usana Amphitheater

Toby Keith at Usana Amphitheater

Toby Keith singing "Red Solo Cup" at Usana Amphitheater

I wanted to share some of the lyrics

of Toby Keith's "Red Solo Cup" song...

It's pretty ridiculous -

but quite entertaining.

"Now a red solo cup is the best receptacleFor barbecues, tailgates, fairs and festivals...A red solo cup is cheap and disposableAnd in 14 years they are decomposableAnd unlike my home, they are not foreclosable

Red solo cup, I fill you upLet's have a party, let's have a partyI love you red solo cup, I lift you upProceed to party, proceed to party

Now I really love how you're easy to stackBut I really hate how you're easy to crackCuz when beer runs down in front of my packWell that my friends is quite yuckyBut I have to admit the ladies get smittenAdmiring how sharply my first name is writtenOn you with a sharpie when I get to hittin' on them

Red solo cup, I fill you upLet's have a party, let's have a partyI love you red solo cup, I lift you upProceed to party, proceed to party
Now I've seen you in blue and I've seen you in yellowBut only you, red, will do for this fellowCuz you are the Abbot to my CostelloAnd you are the fruit to my loomRed solo cup, you're more than just plasticYou're more than amazing you're more than fantasticAnd believe me that I'm not the least bit sarcasticwhen i look at you and say:

"Red solo cup, you're not just a cup. (No, no, no!)You're my, you're my (friend?) friend. (life long!)Thank you for being my friend."

Red solo cup, I fill you upLet's have a party, let's have a partyI love you red solo cup, I lift you upProceed to party, proceed to party."

Toby Keith singing "Who's Your Daddy" at Usana Amphitheater

Toby Keith puts on a good show!

If you get a chance to see him, you should go!

Twenty Six

My husband turned 26 on

June 5th.  Like my birthday,

his was celebrated on several

different occasions.  

His first birthday gift

came pretty early in May.

He had been wanting some

new golf equipment...

"Taylor, stop taking pictures of me!"

He got a new driver and a new wedge

His second celebration was

in Dallas with my family.

We were there to celebrate my

brother's 30th birthday primarily.  

My parents got him a guitar pedal

The third celebration happened

while we were at Lake Powell

with Eric's family.

We made apple pie on the grill.

Apple Pie with a candle

"Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you!...."

Blowing out the candle

Eric's parents got him a new guitar pedal

On Eric's actual birthday, I

surprised him with another gift.

He is always able to guess what I 

get for him, so I have had this gift hidden

under our bed for several weeks.

He was surprised when he saw it

and had no clue what it was.

I finally surprised him!

It's a nice leather guitar strap

Doesn't it look sharp?  And he says it's comfortable.

Playing his guitar with his new pedals...

It was a rainy day, but we

were still able to grill

the steaks that had been

marinating.  They were delicious.

We also had corn on the cob 

and steamed veggies.  

We're healthy...

But then,

we teamed up to make one of his

favorite desserts, hot fudge pudding cake.

Topped with ice cream, it was very yummy.

Eric got many phone calls, texts, emails,

Facebook notes, and a few cards.

Thank you to everyone for making

his birthday special - he is

so special to many.

And for good reason.