Toby checks out the new backyard. You can see the beginnings of ledger boards for the new deck. These will all be moved and re-moved a couple of times.

Yep, it's dirt. And yes, the door still isn't painted on the outside.

We've skipped several days ahead. Jack May, a *very* *good* *friend*, has come by and helped place several footings, and setup the main joists. Over a couple of a evenings, I put in the spacer boards, and now that we're taking a week off, we've started the actual decking work, which is the easiest part.

Another view. This is before we put in the
extra bracing to keep the boards from flexing when you stepped on the ends. Live and learn. Besides, it's more fun to do things in the wrong order. Uh-huh.

Another happy worker.

This shot is notable for the newly painted door, which Erin did. It took three coats to cover the grey primer completely.

Jack dug more holes for blocks.

The final product. Erin put it most of the decking. Girls with nail guns are hot. Looks good with an Airedale, eh? Only two more decks to go...we may have gotten overly ambitious.