So I was thinking…. maybe if I gave our backyard a little shout out, the weather would turn around so we could actually start to enjoy it? Might be wishful thinking as I look at the 10 day forecast, but it’s worth a shot. When we first looked at this house the outside was equally as horrendous as the inside. Honestly, there was nothing redeeming about this place aside from the neighborhood and school district…. again, we had to have a vision. The backyard resembled an overgrown swamp. I’ll just allow the pictures to speak for themselves.

This was taken after the first rain AFTER we already purchase the house. I’m pretty sure I didn’t send this picture to my mom at the time.

There is the little guy wondering how/where he is supposed to play baseball in this situation:

Now just close your eyes and imagine yourself being attacked by swarms of mosquitoes and you will have a full appreciation for the need for immediate action.

Thankfully, my in-laws sent their reasonably priced landscaper our way. Here was the plan of attack:

– rip out everything lining fence

– install drain in center of yard

– salvage slate thrown throughout yard and re-lay  to make patio around fire place

– build small patio with pavers (new),

– grade with topsoil to help water situation

– SOD!

Here is the after:

And just because it’s fun, here is some side-by-side before/after action:

Now the only thing we need is the sun… oh, and some outdoor furniture. It never ends!