Swing Set, Cement, and Alaska

We've been thinking about getting a swing set for a little while so that the kids would have something to do outside besides fight over bouncy balls and bubbles. Since places are clearing out their swing sets, we (or rather I) decided to get one. Well, not knowing the measurements of it, Blair and his dad went to pick it up and were surprised when the employees brought out four HUGE boxes! (Thank heavens they had a truck!) They brought the boxes home and we stored them in our "vegetable garden" area (at least it was used for something this year!). The kids didn't know we had gotten it, so one evening we took them outside and let them "unwrap" (or rather uncover) the boxes.

Since there was no picture on the box, they weren't really excited. We told them what it was, and still, they weren't very excited since they couldn't use it yet.

But as we started building it and it started taking shape, they couldn't stay away from it!

When we opened the first box and got the instructions out, it said that it would take two adults 10 - 14 hours to put together. Well, it took three of us about double that time to put together. We still have a few finishing touches to put on it but the kids love having it already!

Area before swing set...

Area with swing set...

As for our cement, we now have two less places to have to weed every year! It looks great and we are so excited to have it finally done! We decided to put a fire pit in our patio and we're sure it will be put to good use. Now all we need is patio furniture and a BBQ! ;D

Before...

After...

Blair had the opportunity to go fishing in Alaska this last week with some family and friends and thus I was left a widow with two kids but it was worth it! Blair was so excited to go and I was so excited for the Halibut! I think this would probably have been Blair's dream vacation - fishing ALL day and always catching something, being in the wilderness, and the cooler temperatures. As a group they caught around 80 lbs. of Halibut and 100 lbs. of Salmon. Can I just say YUMMY!!!! Now I just need to find some good recipes and learn how to cook it! ;D Anyone have some good recipes?