Backyard excavator...

We rented this little excavator for 24 hours and started leveling and digging sprinkler line.  The kids all wanted a turn driving the little thing. 

I looked at it when we were done and can not believe the amount of time it saved me.  We dug out some of the hugest rocks.  I did most of the digging and moved some of them but Merril was the one to haul the big ones to the rock wall and patiently and slowly positioned them so they wouldn't go tumbling down into our neighbor's yard.  He did really great!  I was pretty freaked out about doing it myself.

Now that all the trenches are dug, it's time to lay sprinkler pipe.  It would help immensely if I didn't keep changing my mind or realizing I didn't have all the parts I needed.  I must have run to Ace a billion times.

My yard was relatively flat when I started and I feel like I just messed it up completely.  Why did we have to dig sprinkler lines?  It's a process and I know it'll come together but it's such a gigantic mess right now.  I've been getting up early at 6:30 a.m. to work on the yard.  It's been cold but working hard is good exercise and it's nice to be outside first thing in the morning.

This is going to take some time but I'll get there.  Let me just say that this is my project, this is my baby.  Merril isn't really helping me with it and that's my choice.  Occasionally, I really don't know what to do and ask for help.  To be honest, I kind of don't want him helping.  Merril could have my backyard banged out in a week but I'm a tad on the perfectionist side.  I don't just want it done, I want it done my way.  I've been thinking and dreaming about this back yard for 11 years, and when it's finished, it's going to be great!