Backyard Update

Although it's the middle of winter, that hasn't stopped Jason from working tirelessly on our backyard. Between studying for his graduate exams, training for a marathon, watching football playoffs, and the ever constant "amazing husband and dad" role, he gets out there and works in the rain and cold.

If you need refreshing on the story--is it possible you don't have the whole sad story memorized by now? that's odd--here are those details.

But now, much progress has been made.

A brief photo history of the project:

As of this weekend? Behold the glorious muddiness of our future backyard.

 

The fence line has been changed, part of the cement path has been torn up, a tree stump removed, a blue tarp discovered a foot beneath the ground, and five million trips made between the driveway (where the pallets held our backyard goodies) to the backyard (where the goodies needed to find a home).

Once the muddy ground has been prepped appropriately with sand and gravel Jason will place the paver stones that look like this:

Aren't they splendid? We love them. Oh, and just to remind you, that deck that they're sitting on is gone. Gone, gone, gone. Gone are the splinters. Gone is the funky wood smell that would soak into Daisy's fur. Gone.

Another significant step was completing the retaining wall.

 

This was a huge project, not because of the stones, but because Jason had to excavate a few feet of dirt by hand. He spent many evenings in the cold, dark, rain shoveling that dirt away. And those who live in the Willamette Valley can shudder appropriately when I say: Red Clay. Good for vineyards. Not so good for backyard excavation. Except! Don't have to worry about mud slides because red clay doesn't slide. Not much, anyway. There's the obligatory silver lining for red clay.

The next big step?

Putting these piles of materials to use. There are other steps beyond that--like getting sod, and moving Sydney's play structure--but that's still a couple months out.

In the meantime, we do the dance of joy in the muddy pit that will soon be a dream yard.

*dance*

Comments

[Alida]

It's just like my backyard...well...without the wall or pavers or the plan. Just the mud...yep...just like mine.

[Katy Lewis]

What a job! And well done! WAY TO GO! I'm excited to see the completed photos.

[Sarah]

excitement city baby!

[Margaret]

This is going to be an idyllic back yard--well worth all the labor. GO, JASON!!

[Meghan]

WOW! This is a huge project and I applaud yours and your hubby's commitment to it! Good luck in the cold, cold weather...it will look so gorgeous when you're done!

[Alyssa]

I am very impressed and LOVE your galoshes! :)

[Rachel]

Wow! I't going to look so great.