taming the backyard.

We got a pretty incredible deal on our house, and one of the reasons we wanted to buy below our budget is so we could afford to update and improve on our space over time. We decided to pick one big project this year: the backyard. We’re having a six-foot wood fence installed this week and hopefully a few of our nine pine trees removed.

David has been working in bits and pieces all year to tame the madness that was our backyard, removing small trees and clearing out lots and lots of overgrowth. But yesterday he got to work for real to clear the way for the fence company, and here’s some of his progress:

If you’re facing the house, this is to the front left. There was a chain link fence here covered in vines and bushes. David knocked the fence out with a wrench dug up lots and lots of weeds. We actually have a great-sized side yard here that will be fenced in as well.

John came this morning and helped cut down some trees and stumps.

Our pollen-coated play house (isn’t it pretty?)

This is the back fence, which belongs to us, so David has to pull it all out, as well as the chain link fence on the other side of our house.

This guy was a big help taking all of the underbrush to the front curb. He’s growing up so fast these days, excited to pitch in and help his dad with projects.

And he lost three front teeth this week!

Sadly David is covered in a poison ivy outbreak again and started a round of steroids today. Hopefully all his work will pay off and we’ll eventually have a poison-free backyard!