Improving the back yard

How I wish that I had taken "before" pictures of the back yard.  What a mess it was.  A little but majorly rotted rear stoop.  A "fence" along the alley made of stacked concrete blocks.  A mish-mash of planters and broken sidewalks.  All covered by 6' weeds and young volunteer trees.

With the help of Shannon (the next-door neighbor) and Rocky (and his Hauling Services), the backyard became a blank slate for Joe and Ron to do their thing: a small but nice Trex deck, steps; and a neatly edged gravel parking pad and stepping stones, respectively.  Gates along the alley will soon be built for what will end up being a perfectly private and very manageable backyard.