Working in the Yard

Looking back at pre-shelter in place/real life, it was always hard to find an open Saturday where everyone was available to work in the yard.  (I can refer to it as "real life" right?  We will be going back to real life...right?!?!)   Brian and I are both probably too soft on the kids too.  They had long school days starting with seminary at 6:00 a.m. and ending with physically demanding workouts and homework.  In the spring and fall, the boys would referee soccer on Saturdays.  Saturdays make a fun day to hang out with friends or catch up on sleep or homework.  We have always had a few Saturday inside chores but not Saturday outside chores.  

Currently however, no one, with the exception of Brian, has particularly straining weeks.  Brian and I felt like we could get a little backyard work project going.  The kids still weren't thrilled by the idea of spending a couple of hours working in the yard together.  The difference on my end though was I didn't feel badly at all about expecting them to join in the work.  We still had to approach them gingerly.  They are teenagers and things blow up quickly on any day at any time.

Luckily they all agreed without too much complaint, and we were able to clean up our jungle out back.  It felt good working hard together on a common cause.  

Brian supervised the boys in felling this tree.  (Is that how you say it?)  They started up high and then pulled out the axes to take her out completely.  It was physically demanding work, and they didn't quit until it was done.

The girls and I cut out the dead honeysuckle vines by the back gate.  They started dying a few years ago when we had a drought for multiple years. 

We also cut down smaller branches and carried or drug everything out to the alley.  Bri is planning on taking these to the recycling center on Tuesday.

Bryn started cutting off limbs of this tree.  It gets so huge and bushy. The previous owners planted it so close to the house that it really needs to be removed.  One day in the future maybe.

I should have taken before and after pictures of the backyard, but trust me, our jungle is looking much more tame.