OK - here is a still shot of the 'performing koi'. I would have had trouble believing it if I hadn't seen it.
This was one of our favorite yards. It was a fairly new housing development but the builders saved what seems to be the majority of the huge trees. The house we were looking at backed up to another group of houses but there was a beautiful glen area between the two. 
Their water feature was a 'creek' running over beautiful rocks from the deck down to the circle firepit. There was a rock bridge over it. This shot was taken from the deck level looking down.
This picture was taken from the fire pit looking toward the steps and going across the bridge.
Here I am looking up the creek from the base.
These next pictures are of an incredible house with tons of creativity. It was a basic two story house with dormers. The front porch was added and done beautifully. The owner was from Hawaii so there were lots of touches from the island. He and his wife had done all the work themselves.
The following are just shots of the beauty, creativity and humor around the property.
There is a huge water feature in the back.
They were able to purchase a 'box' of off a semi and turn it into a garden shed. See the window? That is simply a window with fabric glued on the inside and attached to the shed.
The parting view at the end of the drive is a 'door'. Notice the keys hanging on the doorknob and the ladders holding up either side.
I was taking the pictures and Brooke hadn't seen me for a while so there was to be no smiling or frivolity!! From the look on her face you would think she had seen a news flash about me moments before we arrived. She warmed up tho when we compared our denim capris.
We decided against the actual use of 79 candles and went with a representation. The important part was the chocolate cake with chocolate frosting. No other flavors were allowed.
Mom got some really neat gifts including a beautiful new hanger for her plants and a star gazing tool to help her determine which formations she is seeing.
As you can see Noah was really stressing over this game!
Take a last look at the gray back patio. Today we made the commitment to stain the patio - pretty scary stuff!
Pat started with a 'Cheyenne Red' color - the color card looked a bit more Sedona than the red you're seeing
Can you say tomato soup? 
Off to Lowe's for some Tuscany yellow to tone things down. The first coat showed some promise . . .
Below is an up close and personal shot of our 'new' patio. Just the right foundation for the coming arbor.
Just for fun: one day we were sitting on the front patio and this tiny little bird (Carolina wren we think) landed on the brick and just gave us &%$$. We had no idea why until later I was straightening things up on the plant stand by the door. Notice the decorative terra cotta bird house????
Guess who liked the look of the neighborhood? 
Just a little chilly . . .
time to lay on a warm patio with your girlfriends!
Caleb is a very early reader!
One more time around the patch on the golf cart then
a nap - a fellow can only handle so much fun in one day!
Unfortunately you are not able to fully appreciate the neon blinking lights on this tasteful headpiece.
Joy wants to learn to sew - that was the theme of this birthday.
As usual Steph worked her magic on Joy's birthday cake. She had plenty of eager helpers.
