The dwelling abode

We moved into this house just before Pioneer Day of 2007 and just a few months before Ava was born.  Our previous home was in Eagle Mountain and Holladay before that.  We've loved being in Lehi.  It's a central location and the people around us are great.  It's so interesting where you end up, especially for this Virginia boy.

So, a few things I've done to this place:  the house came just all stucco.  The first thing I did was put the stone and brick on the house.  The stone is the Abalone limestone which is the same stone used on the Manti temple.  It's not my favorite stone but it was a nice fit for this house and the neighborhood.  And, seeing how it's an HOA subdivision and not really asking for approval, I did what I could without getting into too much trouble.  It's easier to ask for forgiveness than permission.  

The next thing I had to do was to finish off the yard.  After planting a few trees and shrubs, we left space for a garden.  I know you're supposed to plant by Mother's Day, so hopefully I'm not too late.  This will be the first time in my married life planting a garden.  We'll see how it goes...look forward to getting the hands dirty with the kids.

I wanted to carry the stone around to the back, but Nichole told me to stop working so much and just enjoy it if it's already finished.  It just bugs me when something's not the way I'd like it to be and I know I can do better. She did let me do a little stone with the patio and fire pit.  The wood bench was built in Eagle Mountain from wood that had been soaked in the Great Salt Lake.  It's a heavy bugger.  The cherry tree next to the bbq produced some good cherries last year!  I loved the red maple tree.  I thought it was a good accent and shade tree.

  

I built the basketball court to be about 25' x 25'.  I don't recall the exact size, but the kids have a great time using that.  I grew up with a bball court and knew I would have to have 1.  I built the addition on the back corner, which is currently being used as a shed.  The plan is to incorporate it into living space as soon as I have enough time to do that.  Our trampoline gave out, so I'm currently wondering what to do with that spot, whether to get another one or do something entirely different.