our first big DIWHP...

That was supposed to be DIY, but it turned into "Do It With Hired People" instead.

Anyway...our biggest project yet has been (mostly) completed--the front courtyard!

It was pretty bad when we bought the house:  counter-intuitive walkway that leads you several feet to the right of the front door, but abruptly zags over at the last minute to plop you at the doorstop; disgusting cat-poo filled landscaping rock making up the majority of the courtyard; several different additions of concrete making for a lot of seams and variation; and a wall encompassing the courtyard that was over 6 feet high, making the entire area feel very closed in.

The first thing we did was cut the wall down and add wall caps.  It was so nice to see the living room window and front door from the street.  I've never been the type to want a house that is hidden from view.  I'm way too social for that.

Next, we jack-hammered our the concrete. And by we, I mean Caleb.  It took him about 4 straight hours.  We lived with an obstacle course of broken concrete for several weeks before we were able to haul it away.

You can see the original walkway and where they later added to it.

The "counter-intuitive zag"

We then cleared out the landscaping rock, as well as the multitude of leaves and cat poo, and did our best to level everything out for the pavers.

And last of all, we had pavers put in.  Originally I wanted Caleb and I to do it to save money, but I have to agree with him that it would have taken us forever to get it all done and it would not have been done nearly as well.

And because I'm a nerd this way, I made some side-by-sides to really see the before and after:

Now all we lack are some touch-ups on the wall where it was cut down, new outdoor lights, and some fantastic patio furniture.  All in good time, though, right?  All I know is that I keep opening the front door just to look at it again and again.  I love it!

**a few notes**
-in most cases, the use of the word "we" really means "Caleb"

-Caleb and Cindy chose the pavers, and I am so glad they did because what I originally wanted wouldn't have turned our nearly as well

-cost breakdown:
wall caps:  $290
jack-hammer:  $50
dump concrete:  $30
pavers:  $557
sand: $90
labor:  $350   
total:  $1,367