Sunday, May 23, 2010

Green Thumb

So I took on a weekend project to build a raised garden bed for our backyard. Jen and I have been talking for a better part of the Spring about how much we wanted to start a garden and how fun it would be for our kids to be a part of the process of planting, growing and harvesting. I have to say it was a lot of fun to roll back the ole sleeves and get my hands dirty for a weekend. And it was so rewarding to see the finishing product...a real garden. Caedon had so much fun digging for worms as I prepared the soil. His little red and yellow dump truck was full of worms by the end of the day. I can't wait the try some of the fresh veggies!!



Before


We had to use this space that was previously occupied by Caedon's sandbox since it was the only place in the yard that could meet the requirements for a vegetable garden


Our neighbor buddy, Ian, came over to supervise the project with Caedon. Per the supervisory team, hard hats were required


Saturday began a little cloudy and rainy with some occasional thunder. So we moved shop indoors until the storm passed.


The sun came out and the shirt came off, yikes, I'm blending in with the shed.


Caedon spent several hours sifting through the dirt looking for worms. Every time he found another worm he would say, "Look Dad, I found another one!" with the most innocent and excited voice you could imagine.


After




Friday, May 21, 2010

Jamon and India's wedding

Congratulations to Jamon and India on a beautiful wedding weekend!! We flew out to Virginia last Thursday morning to be with Jamon and welcome India into the Exsted family. We had a really nice weekend meeting India's family, everyone was so hospitable and gracious, especially India's dad, Tom, to open his house for us to take over for the weekend. I've been making a habit of regrets with missing photos of certain moments. Since I was the best man I was standing in the wedding, I was not able to get any ceremony pics. Sort of a poor excuse, but once we get some from the professionals we'll post them on the blog. Anyways, we had an amazing trip and are so happy for Jamon and India. Bon voyage to the newlyweds as they head to California for their honeymoon!!




The view of overlooking the valley outside James Monroe's estate.


Oak Hill


Caedon loved ringing this bell


A view out the veranda overlooking the garden where the wedding ceremony was held


This was one of a handful of couches made that was designed by Thomas Jefferson. It was the first daybed ever made.


This is the library where we had some drinks and dinner the first night we arrived. It was one of my favorite rooms in the house.


Dinosaur tracks were found on the Monroe estate some time ago. These were the first prints that were discovered East of the Mississippi. India's dad had them set as the flooring of a sunroom.


Dolly Madison's bedroom


Some of Dolly's personal items on the fireplace mantle.


Another one of my favorite rooms











Jen was giving Norah some kisses when I captured this sweet pic


The rehearsal dinner was held at an old mill in the countryside of Virginia. Jamon and India had rented a charter bus to get the party to the venue and on the way we got a guided history lesson along the way


The Mill








Rand doing his best to capture me in action


A nice picture of my parents


One afternoon Jamon gave us a little tour of the farm and some of the sites he was going to take pictures with India the day of the wedding.


This is an old feed trough that was used for horses and cows


A potential site for pictures








Caedon went for a walk with us and so did Hudson, Jamon and India's yellow lab








There were some old cars that are in need a few repairs stored away in one of the barns


Ford Model A, the first car made by the Ford Motor Company


Another look at the Model A














I told you he liked to ring that bell


A cute family picture


These were the only pictures I got of the reception






Caedon was so sweet this particular morning, I got a little extra snuggle time. We got to stay in the President's room, James Monroe's bedroom. I slept in his bed, pretty darn cool.


As a part to the wedding portfolio, the photographers has the wedding party pose with a croquet set. We had an opportunity the next day to play a little bit.


















Uncle Jamon and Aunt India





The new Exsted family