Building a Patio: Update #1

For Perry's 29th birthday and for Mother's Day this year, Perry's mom bought us a patio dining set. We eat outside fairly often in the spring time, and just about every day in the summer (because we don't have a/c). Lately we've been eating with our plates on our laps while the boys used the coffee table, but previously we've been using a small folding table. Both arrangements have worked fine for us.

It goes without saying that an outdoor dining set, that seats 6, will get a lot of use. The problem is we have no where to put it because I refuse to get rid of our love seat and chairs on our deck. I use them just about everyday in the summer time! If we put it on the deck, we'll have no room to move. If we put it down by the garage it'll sit on dirt/grass.

So we're going to build us a patio, with all the free time we have...! Here's what we're working with. 

This is what the back of the garage looked like when we first bought the house in 2009. We've since taken out the garage door and moved the back entrance. I think in this conversation, the current homeowner and I were talking about the patio. They had started to put one in, but stopped.  

We've also thought about finishing it, but rebuilt the deck instead. We've had little luck growing grass in the patio area. It's probably because of all the walking to and from the garage done by Perry... And do I need to mention that muddy spot off to the right of me...How many times have the boys peed there? Guess. I dare you. It's an unreal number. Burn that spot and never walk barefoot...

So here's what we have currently - a grassy, muddy mess. Our plan is to extend the patio out from the garage to the end of the deck. And then put the grill next to the stairs where all the flat rocks are, that way it's *kind of* tucked away. 

When are we starting....Good question. I don't know. On Sunday we discussed it and decided we'd do it. We were planning on working on digging out and leveling the area in the evening while all the kids were in bed...but then the Bachelorette was on... Seriously. Life goes on hold around here when the Bachelor/Bachelorette is on, as well as Hell's Kitchen. So dumb. But honestly, Perry's been crazy busy at work, so he's been exhausted after work. It probably wouldn't have happened even if our shows weren't on. But stay tuned, because we want to get it done in the next couple of weeks!

I'm thinking another Lemon Party will be on the agenda when it's done! Who's coming?!

[Update #2]