The Back Yard Changes

I promised a long time ago to give a side-by-side comparison of what we've done with the backyard... so here we go!
Kurt came up with the whole idea of what to do himself - not an easy feat considering there wasn't much to work with at the start (besides what he had already done from when we just rented the place) What a genius I've married! And a hard worker... plus a cutie-pie to boot... blessed thy name is 'mrsmanz'! :) But I digress... ;-D

Some of these pictures have already been up - but this is so that the changes are that much more obvious. This whole yard-work saga feels like it has been underway forever... but we're thankful to have a yard to work on. We're just really looking forward to being done with it. And then on with the nursery... ;)

The biggest view of the deck changes and... uh... grass! :) The deck had to be primed (white) and painted - twice! And - for those who observe closely, the base of the entire house was also painted - now it is a dark brown vs just a concrete/peach color. Oh - and we built a fence (with the help and tools of our friend Kirby), and changed the light fixture by the door and painted both sheds - the one in the fence-building picture is green - now it is brown and white.
Not in the pictures? The "before" gate (which was crooked and ragged) since Kurt built a new one almost at the start of the summer. Also, the entire 'old' fence (including the part extending past the new fence into the back alley) had to be repainted because it was less than covered. :) In fact, if you want to catch a glimpse there is a picture in my slide-show of Kurt and I looking over the fence at each other - you can see the fence in the background.
This picture is to prove that I did help out, under the direction of my fearless leader. :) It was a painting the deck day - see the determination on my face? Kurt had also tilled the back soil to be ready for the sod - now Oscar enjoys the final results plus trees and gravel. :) Notice how many of the pictures are in the dark? Even though it was Canadian summer (daylight until 9pm at least) we worked late many nights because our days were full. No wonder we felt like we had no summer last year!

The reason I'm putting these up now is that our sod for the front got delivered today - and I'll put up the before and after pictures - after it is done. :) The front changes are truly amazing... if you're in the area drive by and honk at Kurt (who is almost certainly out there working to get it done before the big storm hits). No worries about the rain, though - saves us watering it this weekend! We were actually just out there looking at the big gray/blue clouds hoping that it hits us. :)
Speaking of which: I just heard the sky open up - I'd better go check on my sure-to-be-wet hubby! :) Perhaps I should put on some coffee...
Stay tuned!