Our Backyard AKA The Ongoing Project

For those who know, we were unhappy with the size/layout of our backyard. We felt that there was precious space being wasted with the elevated planter beds (about 4 feet deep lining the largest area of our yard). Nathan decided that area should be covered in grass for the kids to play on, DUH!! So one day he starts moving the concrete blocks that are lining the huge walls of dirt and rocks. The next weekend was spent tearing out the drain and moving some of the extra rock. Then the real fun began, the TRACTOR!! Addison was in heaven seeing a "mini" tractor in our backyard. She spent most of the day at the window engrossed in everything that Daddy and Grampa were doing with it. So, the tractor was used to dig farther into the dirt and relocate it to the side yard so that we could transport it (to various locations!). What we didn't realize at the time was the compacted dirt would look like 10x as much dirt after it was errated by the tractor. I mean, lots and lots and lots of dirt!! So much dirt that we ran out of room.

So at this point the project gets a little overwhelming and discouraging. We just wanted it to be done, without an iota of effort from us :) Thank goodness for great friends!! Krystal talked her Dad into letting up borrow his trailer to haul our dirt. Talk about a lifesaver!! So over the next few weeks we moved a few loads of dirt and rock. Small progress, but progress nonetheless!

Then we hit another roadblock : rain!! and lots of it. So we were out of commission for a few weeks.

This last project weekend was the one that allowed us to see the light at the end of the tunnel. All the dirt is GONE!! All the supplies needed to install the french drain are present and accounted for. All that is left to do is level out the ground, install the drain and put the cement blocks back up. The area that used to be 4 ft of wasted space is now about 1 foot :) I have progress pictures and will post them once I get them downloaded.