Backyard Makeover - Almost Complete! (Part 2)

More progress has been made on the backyard. We're definitely almost finished. Just need to fill in patches of grass, and I want to get Lydia a nice playhouse for outside. Here are some more photos of our progress:

Playground is complete. It was actually more of a challenge to build than I initially anticipated. We surrounded the play area with rubber recycled tire mulch, which is supposed to last 10+ years.

Veggies and herbs are continuing to grow nicely.

This is our "tropical" garden area. 

This is our "Asian-inspired" garden area. I think both these areas will look much better when everything starts to grow in nicely.

Lydia really loves her new playground, especially the swing. The funny thing is, that was actually a swing we got when she was about 5 months old and hung from a tree, but it was not nearly as fun then as it is now, hanging from her playground area. I'm so happy she's happy! If this isn't pure toddler bliss, then I don't know what is.

Backyard Makeover - Almost complete!

Normally our backyard is pretty much a huge litter pan for our 4 dogs with a small veggie/herb garden. With baby #2 on the way and my desire to be a work-at-home mom for the next year, we decided it was time to do a complete backyard makeover! We started by cutting down two large trees that took up a lot of space:

Then we paved a larger portion of the yard:

We added a canopy and a chair/table set for 6 people, great for barbecues and other outdoor meals as a family:

We fixed up our veggie and herb garden:

We began planting some tropical plants/flowers (we need to add a few more, but this was a good start). I guess Lydia got kinda pooped out...

Then we assembled a nice playground area for Lydia. She already loves it, and we haven't even completed the swing portion:

Today Richard rented a stump grinder and removed the two large stumps. Tomorrow we will finish leveling the ground, plant more flowers/plants, and use mulch to cover the area under the playground. I would also like to buy Lydia a playhouse for outdoors and a kiddy pool. This should be such a great area for her this summer (and next school year)...and hopefully one day her little brother will play with her, too!

More pictures to come as we complete this project!