New Deck

This is a project we have been wanting to do since moving here. At first, we were thinking maybe we would cement the area in. I was concerned about cementing the area in because it just wouldn't match the other cemented areas. That is when we thought of making a little deck. This first picture is the "before" picture. Not entirely the before picture because I didn't think to take pictures before we cut the second palm tree down. This area has been such an ugly wasted space. Because of the 2 palm trees, there really wasn't anything else we could do with the area...until the deck!

Kelly placing the cement support blocks.

The frame.

Hunter helping build the frame. He loved helping. All of the kids got to help put in at least one screw so this is truly a family project.

Putting on the top planks.

After an entire Saturday of work we FINALLY finished. After a small dilemma with the lamppost, everything looks great. Okay, ignore the one plank on the bottom, that is our step to hide the cement support blocks. Our power drill ran out of power so we weren't able to put the step in until the next day. Okay, one learned lesson....did you know that a lamppost wont work unless it has 3 light bulbs in it? Yeah, neither did we. The instructions didn't tell us that either. Almost giving up we decided to try it and...voila!

Our completed deck with the barbecue! Kelly cut down the last remaining palm tree and added a table top. We had 2 extra barstools and now they fit perfectly on the deck. We just LOVE our new deck. Amazing how one little change can really make the backyard look so much better....now what to do with the hideous fence? I guess that will be another project for another time.

Front View:Side View: