Let the deck begin!!

Well folks.... it is PAST time to get this deck down and build a new one.  The next few photos are the before pictures and I will post as we make progress.  Eric and his dad are building the deck.  So, what that means is, it will be done right and it will be done well... but it will not be done quick.  Which is just fine by me.  Plus, they have a good time together building things.  So here we go...

If you look close enough you will notice how badly the house needs to be painted as well... oh and those windows... those need to go too.  So, as you can see, we have our work cut out for us.  We are doing the deck, and when I say we, it's really Eric and Roger but we are hiring the windows and painters.  We are going to lose my Althea bushes because the deck will be coming out more... not sure if I can save them but I am going to try.

This retaining wall will be gone soon and the deck will come to the edge of the house.  The windows here will be built up a bit so they are not floor length and new windows put in.  Do you know what that means?  It means that the paper shades on there now can be replaced with REAL window coverings.  The current windows require custom blinds and I am too cheap for that, it was going to be over $1000 for those three windows.  But soon I can get some pretty ones on there.  My dad always makes a comment on how lovely my paper shades from Home Depot are.

Eric asked my not to take pictures of him... oops!

The first stage of demolition.. the old rotted, bowed railing!

Elise helps Grandpa Hubbard with the tedious task of getting all of the nails out of the boards

Lauren's turn

Daddy's little helper!  I don't know if pajamas and flip-flops are the proper attire in a work zone.

Almost done getting the boards up.  We are just laying them on top for a bit just until we get going on the rest.  We can still access the back yard for a bit this way.. but then it will be a while.

The railing is down!!!  I really want to have an open deck because it's amazing how much better you can see when you don't have a railing, but, unfortunately, code requires a railing for most of it.  We did order a new patio set that is a higher table so that will be good to see out into the yard.  And right now, the view is spectacular, dead, brown grass everywhere, thanks to the drought this summer (insert sarcasm here).

You can see how far out on this side we are going to go too.  It will go to the edge of the house on this side too.  I am so excited I can't stand it.  We have been talking about it for years and something has always come up.  I wasn't sure it was going to happen this summer either but we are on the way.