Backyard

The altar is gone! It took one really long day and a couple huge dumpsters, but with the help of some guys from work we got it all hauled out. There were only a couple mishaps, but all in all it went well. We had a new wall put up the next day. With a little luck, by the end of summer we will have a backyard you can actually use.

Me and the guys from work and one in the Bobcat

Tight fit through the gate (the gate being one of the casualties!)

The next morning before the new wall was built

The new wall!

Altar

When we bought our house it had one feature we knew we would one day have to deal with....the "altar" in the backyard. It is right outside the back door and overtakes the backyard. We call it the altar because there is really no other way to describe it and we have no idea what purpose it would have served when the previous owner built it. So here is a picture of the altar and the retaining wall attached to it:

This week we decided to do something about it. Marci, Joni, and I went to work on the back wall of the altar and the top couple of rows to the retaining wall. We want to drop the wall down in height and bring it straight across. The next day a friend from work and I rented a Jack Hammer and went to town on the base and stairs of the altar. This is the product of our work:

Now we have a giant mess to clean up and not exactly sure how to finish off the wall. We are also a little concerned about keeping it from falling down, but we already like it better!

TIME

Man, time goes fast. Looks like it's been a while since I've posted anything. Here's a brief summary of what's going on with us...

Grandma came to see Jett in November

We had a good Chirstmas in Las Vegas and then drove to Logan to be with family for a week.

Jett was blessed.

It snowed in Vegas. There was a few inches the next day, but the camera battery was dead and we couldn't find the charger.

Airshow

I look forward to two events every year. The boat show every February and the airshow at Nellis AFB every November. Luckily Jett's birth was the Wednesday before the airshow, so I was off work! Teyvin, Will, Grandpa Giles and myself left Grandma to oogle over the baby and mom to get some sleep. The aircraft displays were great as always, but the best part of the show by far is the Thunderbirds. Nellis is the home of the Thunderbirds and the last show they do every year, and is spectacular. Sunday after church I looked up on Google Maps the roads around the base for a place to watch the show again without going on the base. The boys and I found a spot and parked at the end of the runway. They were better seats than on the base. The planes were directly overhead and as loud as ever. Incredible!!

I think Will is having fun!?!

The F-16. My favorite plane!

My favorite plane with my favorite paint job!

That's how close they were on Sunday. (not my picture, I couldn't look down long enough to find a camera)

More!

Who knew our camera could do that?

Haha, I haven't let mom and dad sleep a wink!

The only time he has slept in the last week. Thought we ought to capture the moment!

Boy!

In case you didn't know, or didn't notice in the pictures, Marci was pregnant. I use the word "was" because tuesday morning at 9:11 a.m. she gave birth to Jett Reed Broadbent. He was 7 lbs 13 oz and 20 inches long. Both mom and baby are doing great and may come home tonight, but have the option to stay in the hospital until tomorrow. Here are a couple initial pictures to get people off my back.....ok, mostly to get my sister Jill off my back.

The proud parents!

Excited Teyvin and Will wondering what's going on!

Marci and Grandma Giles think he looks like Will when he was born. I think he looks like an old man or a raisin.

Halloween

Spiderman Will flexing his muscles!

Spiderman and Vampire

Spider breadsticks and bloody worm spaghetti

Carving pumpkins

Finished product