Fort Jordan

If you have been reading my blog for over a year, you can probably recall our swing set story.
If not, here is a quick timeline and links to previous blog posts:

September 2008:  Our parents and Aaron and I bought the boys a swing set for Jackson's 2nd birthday.
Link:  Jackson's Birthday Party

August 2009:  Storm destroyed swing set.  (If you're doing the math, we had only had it for 11 months)
Link:  The Swings Swung....A little too High

Our house was actually about to be put on the market when this happened.
About a year or so prior to this, Aaron's dad, Randy, got a new boat.  He gave us his old one since we had space for it and with the intentions of Aaron being able to take the boys fishing on it.  Since both sets of the boys' grandparents live on the lake and own their own boat, the boat in our driveway was being ignored.  
With our house on the market and plans to move to a smaller lot, Aaron's parents were very gracious and told us to sell the boat and use that money to help with the cost of a new swing set for the boys once we were in our new house.
Link:  For Two Sweet Boys

We sold our house, moved to our new house which is in a neighborhood with a HOA.  Although many people have negative things to say about neighborhoods with a HOA, Aaron and I LOVE it!  That is a whole other story......so let me get to my point without debating about a HOA!  :)

We had some rules we had to follow concerning structures in our backyard: 

• Only one per lot. 
• Roof pitch will be similar to that of the house.
• Will not exceed 8 feet in height at ridge line of the roof.
• Less than 80 square feet of floor space.
• Visually harmonious with the house or fence to which it is most visually related or physically attached.
• Shingles will match that of the house.
• Not located in front yards or in unfenced portions of side yards facing streets.

The challenge:  Will not exceed 8 feet in height!  The shortest fort we could find was 11 feet.  We had to think outside of the box.  Even though the HOA Bylaws does discuss the roof requirements, it doesn't require a roof.  

We contacted a company that makes custom sets, Backyard Fun Factory, and they were able to make a fort that was 8 feet tall without a roof.  The HOA quickly approved it and we had the green light!  Who needs a roof anyways?!  A little sunshine won't hurt!   

Our backyard is small, so we also decided to do the space saver swing beam so it doesn't take up more yard space.  I am so glad we did this!  

    

If you look closely you will see some chalk on the wood.  The boys decided to decorate the fort with sidewalk chalk for "Garrett's birthday party" (his birthday is in March....??)  We haven't had a good rain to wash it off yet.

Oh Rigley.  Why do you continue to like the boys?  Although Rigley drives me insane at times, he is a trooper when it comes to the boys.

Jackson has a plan....

Rigley is kissing Jackson's hand......

Lovely....

Jackson found it funny.....

Rigley doesn't run inside to hide, instead he sits on the back porch and watches every move they make to make sure they are okay.   

Why does Rigley continue to love them so much?

The other morning, the boys and I had a few errands to run.  Since we didn’t have to get out of the car for any of them, I decided to let Rigley come along for the ride. 

When we arrived back home, Rigley jumped out of the backseat, and this is what I saw….

I guess Jackson and Garrett had some fun with stickers!     Luckily they were just cheap stickers from the back of a coloring book, so they were easy to remove.

Jackson really likes Garrett's mobile, so we let him get in Garrett's crib the other morning and the both of them watched the mobile go round and round. Free entertainment....

Story Time - It's funny how Jackson will try to imitate how I read to him.
Poor Rigley - Jackson is trying to catch him so that he can put shorts on him. Rigley never gets a break, but he is so good with both boys. He will let Jackson do whatever he wants to him. Yesterday Garrett grabbed a big chunk of Rigley's hair, and Rigley just laid there. I think he doesn't even notice it anymore.

Does anyone happen to know what the ingredients are in Chili's cinnamon apples? We think Jackson is allergic to something in them. He had some when he was a little over 12 months and after he ate them we noticed his skin turned red around his month. I thought maybe he was allergic to something in them or maybe his "baby" skin was just sensitive to the sauce. The other night we had Chili's and I fed him just a little bit using a fork to avoid getting it all over his face. I guess just from licking his lips afterwards, it was red again. So...I think he is allergic to something in them. He eats apples all the time...so it is not apples. He has had cinnamon toast a few times....so I wouldn't think it is the cinnamon. What else could it be? Does anyone have any ideas?

It seems like it has been a busy past few days. [Sorry for the tardiness] Last Tuesday, we finally realized it was 2008 and decided to get DVR. So, in my free time I have been catching up on The View and John & Kate Plus 8....which is a show that makes my home seem very calm.

We spent the weekend at the lake...here are a few pictures -
Milk and Cookies!


Look at this series of pictures of Jackson & Rigley (also known as "Gigley) at the lake. Look at how much he has grown.




Tomorrow I am going to take Jackson to the pool for the first time this summer. Lately he has had new fears, so hopefully he will enjoy it.

Play Time!

Kisses from brother...he really does love him!

So Sweet!
Monkey See, Monkey Do! Someone wants to be a baby again! And no, I did not put him in the swing.

Cowboy Jack!
Poor Rigley! He is such a good dog...look what Jackson is doing to him and Rigley is trying to kiss him!

Easter

Since Garrett was born on Good Friday and we were in the hospital on Easter weekend, we had a late Easter at my parents house the following weekend. Here are a few pictures...

Here are a few picture of Mr. Lazy! Sorry, I am really trying to take more snap shots of him to post, but when you have a toddler running around it is hard to play dress up!! I am trying guys...promise!! I like the picture of him and Rigley. Do you think Rigley looks a little sad that we brought home another baby!? haha.