Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Wordful Wednesday-The Backyard Completed

*Wordful Wednesday is for those of us that like to showcase a photo(s) but that just can't seem keep our mouths shut about it(them). If you'd like to play along, post a photo on your blog, and let the words roll. Feel free to "capture" my 7 Clown Circus button (below and on the left) or simply hyperlink to my site, and be sure to add yourself to Mr. Linky. Thanks for playing along!

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I have been dying. Dying to have this project complete so that:



1. We can enjoy our finally-pretty-much-fully completed backyard.
and
2. So I could finally show you our work that is basically no longer in progress.

I'm beyond excited.

Wanna see the transformation?

This is the pool before:

And this is the pool after.




This is what the lack of landscaping looked like before:

And this is what it looks like now. Just for perspective, the retaining wall that we put in is 60'.

More of what the side of the house looked like before:

And what it looks like now.


Excuse me while I go lounge in my very own oasis. Actually, I think I'll take my laptop and see what is making you Wordful today. Don't forget to sign in with Mr. Linky!
To see the actual pool remodel process, go here.

139 comments:

Unknown said...

Oh what a great pool and landscaping. I know that you will enjoy more than you can imagine and the kids will love it.
Happy Twirls

McClure Family said...

that is one beautiful yard!! great job!!

my ww:
http://mcclurefamilyspace.blogspot.com/

Kacey said...

GASP! So pretty! That grass looks so LUSH!

LifeAtTheCircus.com said...

wow! looks like it was worth the time it took... what a beautiful oasis you now have!!

Happy said...

Oasis is the perfect word! It's beautiful and looks every bit worth the hard work and wait!! Congrats and enojoy!

ps...my kids don't go back to school until after Labor Day either. I'm writing to the school board as we speak....

Unknown said...

Are you kidding me, Angie?! That is amazing! I can't believe you've been doing all of that during the summer with the kids home. It makes me tired just thinking about it.

Nicole said...

Wow you guys have done so much work! I'm sure you're not the only ones that love it. I'll bet your neighbors are thanking the lord they have someone who gives a hoot about their yard!

Great job, I'm jealous.

MommyWizdom said...

Funny what a little grass can do huh? It's beautiful - congrats!!

MommyWizdom

Amy said...

That is so pretty and nice. I love it.. I saw two twin boys yesterday with red hair and they made me think of your boys.

~Sandy~ said...

it's gorgeous! enjoy it :) happy ww!!!

tiarastantrums said...

angie - it looks fantastic! I would love to have a cup of tea with you in the AM!

Buckeroomama said...

Love, love, love the 'after' shots! I would just love to chill by your poolside... :)

Unknown said...

Gorgeous! Simply gorgeous. Where do you live again? I think I need to visit.

Emilie said...

Wow am I jealous! Enjoy your oasis!!!

More Than Words said...

It's beautiful!

Kiki said...

I am getting my tent and moving into your backyard. Wow! I wish I had that beautiful lawn and sparkling pool. Enjoy! Happy WW and take care.
-Kiki

Kimberly said...

Oh. My. Jealous. I love it! You have been working hard! Awesome!

Anonymous said...

How beautiful Enjoy! Happy WW :O)

Summer said...

OMG!!!!

I need your backyard. Without kids. =)

Honey Mommy said...

Can I come swim in your pool?! It looks heavenly!

Muthering Heights said...

Your yard is looking amazing!

Unknown said...

OH it looks just wonderful! YAY! SO when's the first pool party? ; )

Lisa @ Crazy Adventures in Parenting said...

Wow, excellent work! Can I take a dip with you???? :)

MOMMY-MOMO said...

wow! it looks great! very relaxing indeed!

T Rex Mom said...

I don't blame you - I don't like living in limbo either. The finished product looks fantastic. Enjoy!

My WW is up at T Rex Mom and Dad Tales.

Casey's trio said...

GORGEOUS! I know where you'll be when most of your brood is in school:)

Liz {Learning To Juggle} said...

Lovely!!! What a beautiful backyard!!!

My WW is a before and after too....but slightly different!

Genny said...

Love it, Angie! That will make for many great memories!

Diane said...

everything looks super nice! great work!

I'm Jamie said...

WOW! It looks BEAUTIFUL!!
Is it just my eyes, or did you have the pool floor graveled/sanded?

•´.¸¸.•¨¯`♥.Erin.♥´¯¨•.¸¸.´• said...

Can I just come live in your backyard? I will clean up after myself. Promise. :) It looks AMAZING!!!

Anonymous said...

Wow! That is just amazing! I'm a sucker for before and after pics anyway, but those are just too perfect. Great job!

Brenda said...

Thats an amazing transformation! Congratulations. Enjoy!

A Family Completed... said...

Wow like night and day! i love before and after pictures !

debi9kids said...

OMGosh! Just fabulous!
Can I come and hang out too????

Happy WW!

ps Did you do the yard work yourselves?

Serendipity is Sweet said...

It's gorgeous! Lucky you. Enjoy :D

Melissa said...

Looks WONDERFUL.

Sera said...

Gracious, woman - that is one serious oasis! An absolutely dramatic transformation - it's gorgeous and I must admit I'm a teensy bit jealous. I wish I had a place so beautiful and relaxing to lounge in. ENJOY!

Kara @ His, Hers and Ours said...

Amazing!! Look at the green grass! What a great transformation! I know you and the family are enjoying that!!

Kristina P. said...

It looks gorgeous! What a great job you did.

Jennifer said...

Gee whiz woman, your home is gorgeous inside AND out!!! Have I already asked if you and your husband were interested in adopting me?...

Sara Elizabeth said...

WOW! My poor little ordinary yard is totally jealous of your fancy yard. LOL! It looks amazing.

Carissa(GoodnCrazy) said...

Dude!
1)Jealous
2) So?? Were you in town??
3) can you use your laptop outside, cuz I sooo can't and soo wish I could!
4) LA was awesome, jumpstart was awesome-er and San Diego is WOW ah-mazing!

Catch ya another time eh?

Danielle said...

That is beautiful!! Can I come over?

Eleana said...

Lookin' great!

Rob said...

Looks awesome, I bet you will be having some good times in the pool. Enjoy!

Mamí♥Picture said...

Wow!That was AWESOME!!!
Totally BEAUTIFUL!
Have a ♥Lovely♥ Night!

Christine said...

What a fabulous transformation... I LOVE the tropical feel!

It's amazing what a bit of green will do, huh?

Kelly said...

I'm a little jealous. The grass really is greener on your side of the fence. I'm currently surrounded by a dirt field outside our new house.

Mel Fraase said...

BE-U-TI-FUL! I'd be outside all the time rolling around in that luscious grass!! Yay!!

Anonymous said...

COOL, nice pool!

Tina said...

wow what a difference. you must be so proud. i wish we had the weather to have a pool in my back yard :(

Mom Knows Everything said...

That's gorgeous! I'm coming to you house! ;o)

Dumb Mom said...

You guys could totally win one of those flip your house type shows or whatever they are. I have this really boring bathroom situation going on over here if you want to come hook it up!

Unknown said...

Oh my! That makes me want to grab a Mint Julep and put my feet up. How lovely and refreshing!

Hootin Anni said...

Amazing! I'll join in on the mint julep at poolside!!! Yessiree!!

My W W is posted now...it's a continuation [and last entry for the week] of our tour of the Botanical Gardens.

Stacy Uncorked said...

Wow, Angie! It really turned out beautiful! Lots of hard work - I bet you're so glad all of that is behind you so you can ENJOY it now! :)

Happy WW! :)

Jen said...

Wow, that is really beautiful. I wish I had an oasis like that. Enjoy it a little more just for me.

Susan Holt Simpson said...

I'm crazy jealous - that is ABSOLUTELY gorgeous!

If I Could Escape . . . said...

It looks beautiful! Now, I think I need to go and do some nice landscaping around my pool!!

Happy WW!

Ronda's Rants said...

It looks beautiful...great job...we moved from our house with the pool and the darn people wouldn't let us have visitation rights!

Staci said...

BEAUTIFUL!!! The grass is so grren and PERFECT! I want to pull up a chair too!!

Melanie @ Whimsical Creations said...

Just beautiful!! Looks so relaxing.

carrhop said...

It's gorgeous! Is there a lounge chair for me?!?

Blessings!

HaB said...

WOW!!! What a beautiful backyard!

Sherean said...

Congrats on the pool! Looks perfect for you and your family. Enjoy!

Hoosier Homemade said...

My husband is a landscaper, I can really appreciate all the work you did. It look awesome!
Thanks for hosting!
~Liz

Kristin said...

What a transformation! It is like an oasis, congrats, you must be so excited! As someone who has lived thru construction, I can totally appreciate the releaf you must be feeling right now. Enjoy the day!

Brimful Curiosities said...

That turned out wonderfully! Enjoy!

Together We Save said...

Your back yard looks amazing. This will probally make you very popular in your neighborhood.

Suzy said...

What a fabulous oasis you have created......enjoy your day lounging by the pool!!

Felicia said...

Very impressive.

Frugal Fritzie said...

Beautiful, so lush!

kisatrtle said...

Absolutely georgeous. I'll be over tomorrow after little one gets on the kindergarten bus

Courtney said...

Looks beautiful! I wish i had a backyard like that!!! So green with envy right now!

robin said...

Gorgeous! Enjoy it!

Abby said...

That looks really nice! I'd like to come hang out there!

Halftime Lessons said...

Wow...That looks FANTASTIC Angie...you and the kids are gonna LOVE having it.

Congrats!!

Jay

Jenni said...

Can I come over?

It is gorgeous!

Amy said...

Wow! that looks lovely. Good job. It's still 100 plus degrees here - i could use a pool like that. :)

Susan Cook said...

Everything looks great! Enjoy!

sarah @ life {sweet} life said...

So last week I said I was jealous. I lied. NOW I am beyond jealous!! This is sooo beautiful!! Enjoy! :)

Wendy said...

What a nice surprise to visit your blog on Wordful Wednesday and see a whole new wonderful design (it's been awhile I know)and a full list of participants for WW. Congratulations! You are keeping it going! Hope to get back to participating myself. Blessings to you!

Liz Mays said...

It turned out so beautifully, Angie. I'd want to be out there all the time. :)

Rachel said...

Love the new backyard and the new blog look!

TheAtticGirl said...

Wow, you are lucky! I'd love a yard like that.

Michelle@DomesticationoftheSingleGirl said...

Mmmm.

It looks like an oasis.

I want to paint my toenails while laying out in a bikini drinking a strawberry margarita.

*Invites self over*

Michelle said...

It looks great Angie and it is just in time for Hot weather!!! :)

Are You Serious! said...

♥ It looks wonderful! Oasis is right!!! :)

ChefDruck said...

I'm coming over with Mojitos!

Karen MEG said...

What a gorgeous job, you must be so excited and pleased!

Megan said...

Gorgeous! Love the transformation!!

Kim H. said...

Oh Angie, it looks beautiful! I bet you look outside and just think "is this really our yard?"

And thank you for doing your part to keeping our economy moving!

Wednesday Hugs!

Grand Pooba said...

Holy crap I am so jealous!

Justine said...

Ooh Angie, what an astonishing transformation! It looks STUNNING!!! I love the shape of the retaining wall. Ooh girl, enjoy your oasis. You deserve it!

Justine :o )

Cascia Talbert said...

Your backyard looks beautiful! I would love to have a pool.

KarieK said...

Oh what a difference!! I know we did the same thing to ours...it looked like no one touched the back yard or the pool. We took out the ugly bamboo and put in queen palms and cool deck stones for lounging. Love the look!! You guys are like us...always a project to be had...twins and kids and all! LOL We are gluttons for pain.

Happy WW!!
Karie

AutoSysGene said...

Wow, what an awesome difference. I guess you guys are keeping yourself busy, huh?

I think I need a little oasis, too. :)

girlytwins said...

Absolutely gorgeous Angie. I would be relaxing there all day too :)
How about next week on Monday or Tuesday for a playdate?

Kathleen W. said...

Oh that is so amazing!! I'm now supremely jealous. Not only do you live in So. Cal., but you have a pool!

Great job!

Colette S said...

Lets talk about oasis! I want to come over.

It's gorgeous! You guys deserve such a beauty after such hard work. Wow.

You need to have a resume!

Tena said...

looks gorgeous!

Susie said...

It looks fantastic!!!

cewmont said...

how peaceful, serene, and inviting it looks! now you need to post a picture of the whirl of activity around it when all the kids are out playing!!

Melissa ♥ Spoiled Mommy said...

WOW!! Looks beautiful!! And so relaxing! Ahhhh I wish I was there

Sam said...

Oh my gosh! Your new yard is stunning! Must feel great to have that all done! That grass is beautiful! A little landscaping sure goes a long way, doesn't it? Thanks for sharing!

Unknown said...

Oh my gosh Angie : ) It looks so awesome. I am so happy for you. LOVE your oasis : ) Fab!

Salty Incisor said...

it looks amazing. Time for parties!!

KatBouska said...

WOW!!! It's seriously GORGEOUS! And just in time for the kids to go back to school...do they want to go in it all the time? Are you nervous about the little ones?

A job well done Circus family!!

KatBouska said...

WOW!!! It's seriously GORGEOUS! And just in time for the kids to go back to school...do they want to go in it all the time? Are you nervous about the little ones?

A job well done Circus family!!

brunger bunch said...

I am so jealous!! That turned out so well, and I am sure it was a lot of work. I cant wait to see everything you have done with the place. Enjoy your peaceful oasis!!!

Scary Mommy said...

WAH!!! I want to live there. Not fair!!!

Brassy said...

I'm so confused! I keep seeing this as "wordless wednesday" with photos and, duh, words! But then they link back to here and apparently it's "wordful wednesday" which makes SO much more sense.

Marice said...

that is really nice :)

Molly said...

Looks great!

amanda said...

What a wonderful transformation! After my day with 4 kiddos in our teeney plastic kiddie pool I am pretty envious of that beautiful pool!

Maude Lynn said...

It's gorgeous!

Anonymous said...

Thanks for posting a mister linky and letting us all link-up! Great photos!

Dixiemom7 said...

Amazing backyard makeover! Gorgeous! I am so envious of your pool as well. I'm playing along with WW for the first time, what fun!

Rita T. said...

It's gorgeous!

Kristen Andrews said...

love it!

Mark and Kiss said...

I love seeing the before and after pictures side by side, it truly is a phenomenal transformation! Awesome Angie!

Night Owl Mama said...

I want that yard

Rhonda said...

AWESOME!! We could change the SITScation venue to ANGIE'S HOUSE!!

Lori said...

So now we all wanna come over and hang out at your house. Is that okay???

Robin said...

It's gorgeous Angie! Enjoy!!!

I am Arizona; a person, not a place. said...

Your backyard looks great! I love the palm trees...I already miss them. They were all over Greece!

Anonymous said...

I'm so happy you have such a beautiful backyard to play in!

Jaysi said...

Beautiful....having lived through backyard and pool renovations myself...I truly appreciate your joy!

Mama Fish said...

60' long right? Just checkin'.... I was confused. :-) It looks a-w-e-s-o-m-e!! I am quite jealous of your new outdoor living space. It looks so inviting and relaxing!

Lorie Shewbridge said...

OMG it's beautiful... You did a fabulous job... can I come swimming????

Live.Love.Eat said...

I love it SO much. I told you already how much I just love pools and especially the before and afters. Yours is gorgeous and I am so happy for you. I definitely to put mine up soon! Even though we had major things done we still have to resurface our pool. What did you end up going with? I like it a lot.

Kelly Deneen Raymond said...

What a transformation!! I love it. :) You SO deserve that oasis.

Kelli @ writing the waves said...

Sod is a miraculous thing, isn't it? It looks awesome!!!

CC said...

Woah. Send that landscaper my way. Seriously.

Carrie and Troy Keiser said...

It does look like an oasis! Great job on the landscaping.

Stephanie said...

It is beautiful, Angie! I love the pebble you chose - so warm and inviting! I really wanted a stained/stamped patio for ours when we built last summer, but the budget wouldn't stretch that far :) And sadly, we haven't been in the water much this summer...it's been a weird weather summer here. Enjoy :)

sassy stephanie said...

Wow. How nice! And with the cool Cali weather, you will get to enjoy it quite a bit!

Jenners said...

Lovely!! Now the idea of a staycation is not such a bad idea!