Who Me? And Monday Mugs: The Backyard

Before I get on with the Monday Mugs post for today, I have to tell you something really cool!  My dear, sweet bloggy friend Beth emailed me a few weeks ago with a question.  She has started a new feature on her blog every week called Blogs to Bookmark.  Every week she features one of her favorite blogs, and she asked me!!!!  I feel like I should give an acceptance speech or something.  But I would probably be cut short by the orchestra anyways.    So, head on over to Beth's post and see what she wrote.  While you are there, you might as well just follow her blog.  She is a sweet, amazing woman, one of those rare gems, with loads of wisdom and humor.  Thank you so much for featuring me Beth!  You are a dahling!   

Oh how I love today's theme!  Our backyard is seriously where we spend most of our time.  I love the fact that our girls have their own place to run, explore, and imagine. 

As I was looking through photo files for this post, I was struck at how much it changes throughout the year.

In the spring, the grass is green, and new, and filling in patches left over from too much snow.  The ground is still hard, but perfect for chasing grounders.

Look at that power stance!

In the summer, dear hubby has to search through mile-high grass for all the precious toys before mowing.  When the monsoon rains hit, our backyard turns into a jungle. 

I LOVE this photo of my precious girls.  Katrina was 4, and Madi was 1 when this photo was taken.  Fall was in the air, the grass was dying out for the year, and the leaves were beginning to turn.  Our swingset has gotten a lot of use in its life. 

And, of course, fall is also a great time to learn all about hard work.

Sort of.

In the winter, the sun rises behind our trees every morning and turns the snow-covered yard into a fairy wonderland.

And provides shelter from the storm for our buddies.

This herd of deer winters in our back yard.  Every afternoon they make their nest under our trees.  They lay in the snow and watch the girls play, completely unafraid.  The girls know to keep their distance, but treasure the close proximity of these beautiful creatures.  Although we do have to remind Katrina that we can't shoot the big bucks in the winter.  We have to save them for next fall.