The Before...

Our backyard has been under construction for, well, since we moved in! We (and when I say "we" I mean Pat!) finished much of it four years ago. During that time we contemplated just what we wanted to do and had finally reached a decision! But, that was two years ago, and things just haven't gotten done. It's too much for Pat to do now and we don't have the money to hire a professional. All of it has been done with sweat equity - with some of the sweat being from our kids, and others we have hired. (Thanks to all of you... you know who you are!)

That is about to all change! While the backyard won't be as completed as we plan on it eventually being... it will be close! We have a friend in the ward that is a school teacher, they are a young couple (Brad and Amy's ages), who can use the extra income. So, we have hired Anthony to help us finish the backyard! YAY!!!!! I cannot even begin to express how happy I am that this is finally getting accomplished... nor how happy Pat is that it is!

With that being said, I decided to show some before pictures (he has leveled everything out at this point in time). Also, today we get the paver stones delivered, and tomorrow Cameron Gross is going to work for us and put them in the backyard so that it will be easier for Anthony!

On the left is the sod area, to expand our back yard and give Pat more to do (mowing-wise). The formed area on the right is where the paver stones will go, to bring more fluidity to the backyard. it connects with the paverstone walkway at the back of the house. To the right of that is where our planter garden boxes are (though there is nothing in them except dirt right now!) We will be putting rock around that area, so as to keep the dust down around the house.

We will have the paverstone walkway go up to the shed, with sod in the area by the trees.

This side of the shed will have rock and paverstones on the ground, giving it a more finished look and providing a sturdy place for our trash cans to reside!

Here is a view from the corner of our house, by our bedroom. This shows how much sod we will be adding to complete our backyard. I think it will be even more beautiful when it is finished!

I will post the after pictures in a week or so, when everything has been completed!