Backyard Facelift

March 24, 2016November 12, 2016Leave a comment

Although our backyard was just made over a year ago, we started to see some problems with our grassy areas. The trees in the grass were creating too much shade so the grass was dying… creating big muddy messes when the dog and Parker would play. Knowing that Easter was just around the corner and we were hosting again, my dad surprised us with a backyard facelift.

I came home from work and both trees and all remaining grass was removed! By the very next day my dad had new sod installed and put in a flower bed surrounding the seat wall (where it is still very shady). I am constantly stunned with my dads creativity and generosity. There is no way we would have been able to fix the yard to this extent. Sure do appreciate him!

Came home from work to find my backyard like this! 2 trees and all the grass removed!

New flower beds filled with mossy ground cover that enjoys the shade. My dad’s vision is to have all of the moss fill in and spill over the bender board into the grass.

New sod installed! It looks so lush!

We all love laying in the new grass!

Thanks grandpa for spoiling us with such a great backyard!

The Big Reveal

July 11, 2015August 20, 2015Leave a comment

After only four weeks of construction, our backyard has been completed. Kevin has spent many long nights working away to get the patio finished. My dad and his guys have been spent almost every day digging, irrigating, and planting. We are so grateful for the help we have received.

To say we cut it close is an understatement. The finishing touches were completed at 2am the day of Parker’s first birthday. Bishop’s Painting painted and stained the patio cover on Friday and ended around 6pm. Then Kevin hung the ceiling fan and pendant lights. Then we cleaned and began setting tables out for the big party. Phew! We did it!

Plants being installed!

Vegetable Garden with tomatoes, basil, chives, peppers, strawberries, cilantro, limes, avocado… this paint job was fixed after the ceiling was stained.

Raw wood ship lap ceiling, prior to stain (EAST SIDE).

Raw wood ship lap ceiling, prior to stain (WEST SIDE).

Oh no! Something we encountered when spraying the stain was this very splotchy, uneven finish. It took 3 coats to even it out and make it presentable. But believe me… I was worried.

Taken the next day during with the sun out... You can see how the stain evened out.

Much to my relief, the stain soaked in and evened out. This photo was taken the next day with natural light.

What a transformation! (LOOKING FROM THE GARAGE)

LOOKING FROM NORTHWEST CORNER

LOOKING FROM SOUTHEAST CORNER

Welcome to Parker’s First Birthday party (/backyard reveal party)!

Over 50 people attended this 1st birthday bash! The yard functioned perfectly and proved to be the perfect place to entertain.

Over 50 people attended this 1st birthday bash! The yard functioned perfectly and proved to be a wonderful place to entertain.

The kids loved the new sod!

Thanks to Kayla for her help party planning!

Hurray! I have a brand new backyard to play in!

Patio Lights

July 6, 2015August 20, 2015Leave a comment

Barn Light Inspiration

After looking all over the internet for cool patio pendants I finally landed on farm light fixtures. I searched high and low for online retailers and found plenty of good options, however my expensive taste kept getting in the way. I decided to get crafty and spruce up some chrome lights I found at Lowes. Adding the Edison bulbs from Ace Hardware pulled the entire look together.

$28 per light!

How about barn yard red?

Took all of 30 minutes to spray paint our four patio pendants.

I love how the red pops with the white trim!

Backyard Makeover – Part 6

July 4, 2015August 20, 2015Leave a comment

There are a few ways to guarantee rain. 1. Wash your car. 2. Start Roofing. Although drought-stricken California enjoyed a few sprinkles this week, our roofing project did not suffer. Kevin finished the ship lap sheeting and began laying the shingles the next day. He worked around the clock in the heat to get it done in two days. He was pleased with how relatively fast it went with the new nail gun he purchased. Funny… it seems like we acquire a new tool for every new project we begin…

While the roof was being completed the sod was installed and the sand box was constructed. It is so exciting to see the progress we are making each day!

Shade!

Sod being laid!

Sandbox constructed, just needs sand!

Finally Covered!

Shingles going up!

We were so excited the shingles were done we couldn’t hold the camera steady.

Ridge cap installed. Kevin is a proud handy man!

Backyard Makeover – Part 5

June 29, 2015August 20, 2015Leave a comment

Kevin has spent many nights this week framing the new patio cover. Thanks to our brother in law Dan, Kevin’s brother Jason, and our friend Jake for their help.

The patio cover is much taller than I expected but I am pleasantly surprised. I think it will make a grand statement and I cannot wait to begin picking out lighting and other patio furniture decor.

Lumberjacks, Kevin & Dan. Placing the first supporting beam up.

Getting the center ridge of the roof in place.

Framing begins on the roof.

Support cross beams in place.

Look at the size of this thing!

Framing completed.

My hero 🙂

Where’s Waldo? Up on the roof… in 100 degree heat…

Shiplap roofing being installed…

Backyard Makeover – Part 4

June 15, 2015July 4, 2015Leave a comment

Work has begun on the winding paths throughout the garden. The original concrete was broken and reused. Each stone was laid, leveled, and arranged by hand. I absolutely LOVE the end product. My dad wanted you to be drawn into the back yard with each turn of the path.

Path dug out, ready for concrete stones to be laid.

Left path leading to the side gate. Right path leading to the future sand box.

Each piece of broken concrete was laid and leveled by hand.

DG was used to fill in the cracks to help keep everything in place and resist runoff.

Backyard Makeover – Part 3

June 8, 2015July 4, 2015Leave a comment

Today work began on the new and improved patio space. My dad has dreamed up a space that will provide a great place for entertaining and relaxation. He has designed a wall to surround the patio that will serve as seating and containment of the dirt behind it. We think that we will be able to seat 20 people comfortably, perfect for home group! Kevin now needs to build the patio cover to go above it.

Digging the trenches for the seat wall.

Preparing the molds for the rounded edges of the seat wall.

Ready for concrete for the slab beneath the shed.

Cement is here!

My dad chose a dark charcoal gray color to match the house.

Concrete poured for the shed slab.

Concrete design by Papa John

11 Months old today!

Waiting patiently for the birthday party backyard reveal!

Backyard Makeover – Part 2

June 5, 2015July 4, 2015Leave a comment

With no time wasted, at 7:00 this morning the Bobcat arrived and began ripping out the existing concrete. Within a matter of hours, the concrete was removed and the ground beneath the future patio had been leveled. Talk about a quick turnaround!

Goodbye old concrete!

Parker was awakened from his nap from the loud noises outside. Luckily he didn’t seem to mind…

We enjoyed watching the tractor from the inside of the house.

Happy to see the concrete breaking in nice large pieces to be used for our garden paths!

Papa John came over and chalked out where he envisions everything going.

Just imagine a beautiful winding path that draws you into the secret garden.

Enjoying cool breeze in the afternoon, can't wait to see what everything will look like in just a few short weeks.

After a long day, P and Grandpa enjoyed the cool breeze in the afternoon.

Backyard Makeover – Part 1

June 4, 2015July 4, 2015Leave a comment

My dad texted us last night and said, “My mason and I will be there before 8am to go over my backyard design”… What?? I was so excited to hear that my dad was willing to start working away on our backyard before Parker’s 1st birthday party in July. He has described to me a beautiful oasis that is both inviting and accommodating for entertaining and relaxing for a night out on the patio after a long day’s work. Let’s get started!

Check out the BEFORE photos below…

Thanks Dad!

Papa John measuring for the new patio.

Looking from our side gate at the back of the house (Northwest view).

Looking at the back of our house from the garage.

Looking at the garage from the southeast corner of the yard.

South East View

Southwest View

West Side Yard View

We will be moving the shed (seen in prior photos) to wear the ladder is sitting in this photo. In return we will put a sandbox where the shed currently sits for a play area for Parker.

Kevin and Dan got a head start and began breaking up the concrete on the west side yard. We are saving all of these broken pieces to be reused in a winding path throughout the garden.