Summer Projects

This summer, like most others, has gone by all too quickly. We always have plans for several projects around the house, but they never all get done. These are a few pictures of the projects that are mostly done. The fence is up all except a small section in the back and two gates that need to be put up. It's nice to know that the kids will have a safe place even though they usually prefer playing in grandma and grandpa's yard.

It's a little harder to see, but I've slowly been getting the bare spots in the lawn seeded. I'm hopeful that we'll have a fairly nice lawn next year, maybe then the kids will be more likely to play here.

When we put the fence poles up we realized that the steps would have to be redone to line up with the gate. I took on the project myself so that Ben wouldn't have to, he's been busy enough with the fence. I guess you could say that I'm pleased with how they look, even though they aren't anywhere near perfect, but they work and that's what matters.

Here is a shot of the stairs with the gate finished.

Last but not least here is our newest tree. It's a scarlet maple, you can't really see, but the leaves have turned a dark red. The deer have nibbled on it a little, but it should survive, hopefully providing some much needed shade for the back yard. Now the next thing is to find some plants that I like that will grow well in our poor soil.

There are days when I think it would be nice to have the money to pay someone to come and do all this for us, but then when I can get the kids involved and hopefully teach them the satisfaction of working hard, it makes it worth it.