Back Yard Makeover

We rent a house built in the 1920's that my parents own. My family has helped us do a lot of major renovation especially to the outside. Unfortunately I didn't document the progress as much as I wanted to. But here's a glimpse at the process to our new backyard.

Before we only had about 10 feet of backyard (from the house to the black chain-link fence). We were able to get approval from the city to expand our yard another 15 feet.

Busting up the sidewalk to nowhere!

After the sidewalk, fence, 2 trees, and some bushes were removed about 50 tons of dirt was brought in to make the ground level. Then began the construction of the retaining wall.

This is the only picture I could find that sort of shows our back "patio", if you can call it that before renovation. Naomi was 11 months old in this picture!

My Dad built a deck for us and then my brother, his girlfriend, Spencer and my Mom helped lay the stone patio. Several of my extended family members were involved at one point or another in the process!


Next came the fence and laying of sod and rocks around the border of the retaining wall to complete the yard.

It was about a 5 month process and we are still working on getting the grass to grow as some of the sod didn't take root very well. But we are loving it! Molly, our dog, has a place to run and Naomi has a "playground" in her own backyard! Thanks Mom and Dad and everyone else who helped...we couldn't have done it without you!