Operation: Backyard Transformation

Last fall, after we had gotten settled into our new house, Josh's grandparents wanted to purchase a swing set for the kids as a housewarming gift.  And they were insistent that it needed to be one of those large wooden ones that would last a longtime and the kids would get tons of wear out of it.  We were so ectastic.  What a wonderful gift!  We knew the kids were going to love it.  Madi loves to swing, so we knew she would love it.  The hunt for the best and most cost effective swing set began.  I searched online.  Every Sunday, I scoured the ads to see if any of the major stores had sales.  And then one fall day, on a family trip to Sams Club, we spotted the perfect swing set.  It is the Highlander Deluxe Cedar Play Set with Slide.  What kids wouldn't love a swing set that was a gigantic fort with four levels, the bottom level includes picnic table and sand box, it has a 10 foot wave slide, two swings, a two person glider and a climbing wall!  A special thank you to GG and GP, we love it!

Anyway, we purchased it right then and there.  We were so excited to get it constructed so Madi could enjoy the beautiful fall weather and swing to her heart's desire.
 
We have been a little too quick to assume that we could just begin constructing this incredible swing set.  As you'll see below, we didn't exactly have the backyard to place this structure on.

What we did have was a ton of rocks and a very un-level landscape.  Not really compatible for a children's swing set.  Plus, we learned that we do indeed live on the back of a mountain.  I know it may not look like it is that rocky, but through with transformation we discovered boulders that we will someday only be able to remove with dynamite.  What fun!

Operation: Backyard Transformation was born.  It started with many discussions of how to exactly design our backyard.  Eventually, we would like to have a pool constructed, but that will be a pretty expensive enhancement to our yard.  One we are just not ready to commit to.  We both finally agreed that we wanted a lawn so the kids could run around on it and then, in the corner, we would postition the swing set.  The actual placement of the structure almost developed into WWIII, but we worked it out through compromise. 

Once we got all of that determined, Josh went to work accessing what needed to be done and how to do it in the most cost effective manner that we could.    First of all, we needed to remove all of that rock and get the land leveled.  How do you do that inexpensively?  Well, you do it yourself.  Josh began wheelbarrowing to remove the rock.  Then, we needed to get the land leveled.  Through Craigslist, Josh found a very reasonably priced contractor who would level the ground with his tractor.  I think Josh was more excited about the tractor than the progression of our yard.

After getting the land as level as we could, which was even a challenge in some spots for the tractor, we needed to lay sandy loam so the grass would have the best chance of survival in the desert.  Back to Craigslist.  Josh was lucky to find a contractor that had ordered to much sandy loam and was happy to deliver it to us cheap.  Now, my poor husband had to spread out and level the material in the yard himself.

Next step ... construction of the swing set.  Josh recruited my Dad to assist in building this massive structure.  The swing set pieces were in four boxes with no rhyme or reason.  It was much like putting together a very, very hard puzzle. 

Searching for the next piece ...

During the construcion phase ...

Three days of construction, consisting of about twenty-five hours of work, the swing set was finally erect and ready to use.  It's it beautiful!!!

Madi Swinging on it for the 1st Time

With Keaton ...

Now, it was time to lay the grass.  Wait, but first Josh had to install the sprinkler system.  That became a muddy mess and he learned more than he ever wanted to know about sprinklers.  Okay, now he can lay the grass.  Wait, we need to measure out the border.  We wouldn't want to lay the grass crooked or uneven.  So, the measuring began.  We were quite a pair.  String and tape measure in hand, we walked around the yard trying to figure out if our lines were straight or parallel to the other line on the other side of the yard.  Ridiculous.

With every thing completed, Josh was able to order and lay the sod.  At first, we were only going to sod the area in front of the swing set, but due to an abudance of ordered sod, we agreed to lay more grass behind the swing set too.  Here is Josh laying and rolling sod at 9 o'clock at night.  He was determined to get it all completed.  Mind you, we were hosting a Super Bowl party in a couple of days, so he *had* to get it completed.  Sorry the pictures are not that great.  He was working by light of a work lamp out in the yard.

I am so proud of my husband.  All of his hard work paid off.  Our backyard looks beautiful.  Thank you, honey!  What a huge difference!  I cannot wait to sit with you on our patio and watch our kids play on the grass and swing set. 

The Final Product