The fruits of my labor (the non-child version)

IMG_0724.JPG, originally uploaded by sassylou.

Well if the 2 kids don't take up all my time, this garden sure does. I have been pulling bucket loads of ivy out, prepped and installed planters around the perimeter when my family was here, planted in April, pulled out half the sod for a gravel patio and installed redwood trim around. We had 2 tons of gravel delivered, had a gravel party and also have original San Francisco cobblestones (25 lbs each!) as a border from the grass (still to be mortared in, but you get the picture). I am amazed at how everything has grown in so fast (who knew?) as these were itty bitty 4" pots. Minus a couple gopher stealing incidents, we haven't had any more casualties. Maybe I have a green thumb after all. Much more to grow in to make a full hedge around the yard. But I will tell you, these were only taken about one week ago and I already see so many changes in the plants. They grow faster than the kids. Click on the picture for the full set. Now onto the front!! (Get ready again mom...)

If there is anyone left out there....

Yes, shocking I know...an actual post! Well it has been quite busy on the Ghezali front, but I have to confess it is just pure laziness around updating and uploading pictures. Oh well, what can you do?

Here is a little brief movie to show brother and sister. They are doing quite well. Rex is a range rover and is all over the house. He uses his walker, stands up and cruises around and is quite a fast crawler these days. He is such a happy baby and is getting a kick out of his sister. They are really starting to interact which is just precious. Leila likes to hold "Rexy's" hand in the car from time to time, gives him big (sometimes too big) hugs and kisses and says I love you to Rex all the time. She is also somewhat generous with her toys, but not always! Rex is 9 months as of yesterday and I do wonder where my baby has gone! Life with 2 is definitely fun!

Work is crazy busy for me, but very happy. Enjoying work on the garden, and I will post some pictures as my mom is dying to see the garden. I am very proud of how it is shaping up and now will turn my focus onto the front yard. I am really enjoying getting into gardening, who knew you could develop a green thumb after killing so many plants in your past?

That's really about all folks. Life is good, busy and looking forward to a visit from my family in July. After that I will have a lot of travel in August for work...Canada, Oregon and Texas (ugh!) for the project I am leading. All exciting stuff!!

I think if I just go for bi-annual posts I could keep this going...

Rex's Baby Blessing...a tree of life and persimmons

IMG_9432.JPG, originally uploaded by sassylou.

Here are some pictures from our baby blessing for Rex. We planted a tree in our front yard to commemorate Rex's birth (thank you John and Mark!) It will one day be a wonderful large persimmon tree and we will enjoy watching it grow! RIght now it has more resemblance to Charlie Brown's Christmas tree! We had a beautiful day for the blessing with our friend Karekin performing the ceremony. Afterwards we had our housewarming party and it was wonderful to share our home with our friends and family (Uncle Mike was in town!) Promise to post some more pics soon!