Backyard Re-do

We did some (more) work on our backyard this year.  The pictures from earlier years don't look too bad because it used to be more green.  It's been really dry and dead the past few years, along with many gopher holes, so our yard was looking pretty bad.  I didn't like the old stone grill in the middle of the yard, and I also wanted a larger basketball court (which was just one small concrete square).  I had a vision for the yard a few years ago, but couldn't really get going.  I removed half of the chain link fence that extended all the way to the neighboring back fence (with dead branches attached) in August of 2019.  That was the first step.  Next, we needed to remove the grill, which the boys and I took down in May 2020.  (Alex wouldn't help with that because he wanted it to stay...I was stubborn and determined enough to take it down myself).  Finally in March of this year, we got a quote for the concrete.  I was amazed to find out it would cost about $25,000 for the project (and that was a pretty reasonable price)! We decided to do it.  They removed the base of the grill, the tree stump of what remained of the plum tree, a large bush, and all the existing cracked and old concrete.  In about 1 week, they did the demolition and pouring of the new concrete.  We opted for a stamped concrete for the area by the house, and they were supposed to make it look more like natural stone with some different colors in the mix.  They didn't do a very good job on the stamped and colored part, leaving some large red streaks on one area and some parts of the concrete already chipping.  We let it slide and didn't ask them to fix it, but it looks a lot better than it did before, and it's a much more functional space.  We're working on getting some new tables and chairs and outdoor furniture.  We got a large umbrella, a 10-person table, a grill, a fire pit and chairs so far.  We need to explore gazebos (and lighting) for over the seating area and find some new chairs for the large table.  We also need to try to grow grass again and make it nice and green.  I was going to wait to post pictures until it was just right, but it may take a while for that, so I'm just documenting as it is for now.        

The 2 extra "rooms" in the back might be about to fall apart, but at least we have new concrete in the back right...?