Play Structure Project

Maylee loves "swings and slides," but the closest playground with those features would be in a neighboring town.  We decided to get Maylee a play structure for the backyard.  We wanted to build it in our upper yard, which the ground is really wet until August due to natural springs in the wooded area behind our house.  My parents came up to help us with this project the first weekend we started in on it because Dad has a Skid-steer which we used to level the upper yard and dig a trench.  We thought the weekend would be only devoted to our first mission of leveling the ground and attacking the water issue with drain tile.  However, we completed that mission in one day so the next day we put Dad's handy-dandy building skills to work on framing up the playstructure. 

When we brought all the materials from the garage up to the upper yard, Maylee studied the picture on the box showing kids playing on the play structure.  She looked at Papa and said "Just do it!"  Papa still laughs about that.

 She had a great time using the slide against the hillside between the upper and lower backyards.

Good idea Papa!  It kept her busy while we were building.

 

Pictures of our Progress

Climbing wall and picnic table installed...

 Swings, slide, steering wheel, and drums are installed...

 Planting and rock path installed...

 Rocks around plant installed and working on wood chips...

Until spring comes and the snow melts, we have completed what we can.

Maylee is showing off her "Swing and Slide" to Ammie and Papa.



Hunting Camp 2011

Once again, Maylee had a great time camping with family and friends.  Unfortunately, only one hunter in our hunting party filled his elk tag.  On the bright side, we all had fun and ate great food!

 4-Wheeler Ride with Dada

 Loving Smores! (Like Mother, Like Daughter)

 Smiles Around the Campfire

 Loves for Jackie on Cindy's Lap

Imagination Time

Maylee picked up a Y shaped stick and used it like a stethescope on Cinder. 

It surprised us because 1) it had been awhile since she had seen a doctor use one on her, 2) she found a thin, flexible stick that reminded her of a stethescope, and 3) she knew how to use a stethescope.  Her memory is very sharp!  She then proceed to check other things and people.  At one point, she put it on her bottom and said, "I check my bum!"  She had us all laughing and Papa surprised her a few weeks later with her own toy stethescope.

Cutie Pie on a Rainy Day

Side Note: Four months later, we were driving and Maylee asked, "Mom, I go camping?"  It was a cold winter day, so I told her that the snow means it is too cold to go camping.  She said, "I go camping with Ammie, Papa, Emma, and Sarah in Ammie's camper."  I said, "Oh really, who else is going camping?" "She said, "Wes and Cindy and Jackie."  I was amazed that she remembered who was at hunting camp, especially Cindy and Jackie since we have not seen them since October.

Trampoline Time

Maylee's new babysitter, Carol, has a trampoline and Carol has taught the kids how to stay away from the edges.  When we stopped by Kathy's house on the way to hunting camp, Maylee saw Donata and Adam's old trampoline and had to jump.