Since the major projects inside our house are finished, it's time to head to the backyard.
Jeff used a sledgehammer to pull up the cracking concrete sidewalk.
The old chainlink fence literally had trees growing through it. We took it down and the kids used shovels to help pull out the metal posts. Even Hudson thought he was helping with his small shovel...
The garage had several inches of dirt coming up the sides, and the whole backyard needed to be regraded,
which is where the trusty bobcat driver comes in...
Next comes laying a brick patio, planting grass, installing a wood fence, and putting in new landscape. We're looking forward to hosting neighborhood barbeques this summer. Hopefully we can post some "after" photos in a few months.
After Jeff regraded the yard, he planted grass and then set to work edging in the patio and sidewalk. 
Notice Jeff's "little helper" at his side. 
We just put the gravel in place yesterday. Next comes a layer of sand, and then we'll be able to lay the bricks. I'm excited to see how it all turns out!
Everybody loved jumping around on this floating bridge. Hudson was literally squealing with delight. Clay and Emma look like they're about to escape over the side...
This seal was posing for the picture. 
Petting baby sharks
When we got home, the girls made a pretty "sunflower" cake using "Peeps" marshmallows for the petals and chocolate chips for the seeds (Emma loved the Peeps dipped in chocolate frosting...), 
while the guys played "hangman" and other games on the couch.
Jeff used a sledgehammer to pull up the cracking concrete sidewalk. 
The old chainlink fence literally had trees growing through it. We took it down and the kids used shovels to help pull out the metal posts. Even Hudson thought he was helping with his small shovel...
The garage had several inches of dirt coming up the sides, and the whole backyard needed to be regraded, 
which is where the trusty bobcat driver comes in...
Next comes laying a brick patio, planting grass, installing a wood fence, and putting in new landscape. We're looking forward to hosting neighborhood barbeques this summer. Hopefully we can post some "after" photos in a few months.
