The Davolts

 As a child, I hated weeding and yard work. Ask my dad and he will tell you that I resisted in every way. But once it was my own home, you couldn't stop me. The first two summers here, I would weed until dark (and sometimes longer, since it was cooler). Two years ago, we gave our front yard a face lift, putting in fabulous low maintenance perennials in yellow, purple and white. These photos are from 2010: Over the last two years, the flowers and shrubs have doubled in size, filling in most of the spaces. It has been fun to watch them grow (the box woods are clear up to the window ledges, now). At this time in 2010, we gave only a little energy and effort to the backyard. Jeff took out a raised garden bed and replaced it with a row of dwarf box woods and a large ceramic planter.  With help from Jeff's Aunt Mary Lynn and his mother Melody, we had our first vegetable garden that year as well. We enjoyed cherry tomatoes, lettuce and radishes that summer. I...

Before: long bangs  As Nathan has grown over these last ten months, so has his hair. Jeff and I have both been amused by the pattern his hair has filled in, straight down the middle, creating a natural mohawk type look. A few weeks ago we agreed that he needed a trim, as the ends nearly reached his eyes and floated over his ears. Then, during Spring Break, on the morning we agreed to get Nathan's hair cut, I chickened out. Nate was a little fussy that morning, which made the decision to wait easier. Then, after viewing the adorable Easter pictures we had taken two days later, it became quite obvious that he needed a hair cut. Almost on a whim, we hopped in the car this afternoon and found our way to the very child friendly "Lil Snippers". Although the gal cutting his hair put an Elmo and Jason Mraz DVD in a small TV directly ahead of him, and her colleague tried blowing bubbles as a distraction, Nathan kept turning his head to watch every move she was making...

 I found a few stray photos from Spring Break and Nate's first week after turning ten months. While I may be biased, I find them all so cute and these must be shared! Grandpa and Nathan

Happy Easter! We have been so thankful for a week off from work & school for Spring Break. And as we celebrate Easter today, it truly feels like Spring is here. Since Nathan's school follows the Portland Public School schedule, his Spring Break was the week before ours. Jeff's mom, Melody was kind enough to come stay the week with us, entertaining, feeding and caring for Nathan while we were at work. Our own Spring Break kicked off with a visit from Jesse, Jessica and JD. Along with Jennifer, the seven of us shopped in the sunshine, and relaxed at home. We were glad to have family visit, and Nathan really enjoyed trying to keep up with his almost-three-year-old cousin, JD. Cousins! As mentioned previously, Nathan is really on the go now! We can hardly get him to sit still for pictures anymore. He zips around the house and quietly finds his way into trouble. "No" is a word heard more frequently around here! When he is motivated to ge...