Last week, we celebrated our baby boy’s first birthday with a backyard barbecue, surrounded by family and friends.
It was a beautiful and memorable day, made even more enjoyable with our newly refreshed patio space. Our yard has been admittedly underutilized since revamping our landscaping two years ago, but now that we have two active kiddos running around, we’ve been spending a lot more time outside.
We’ve been really happy with our plant selection this second time around. The viburnum suspensum bushes along the fence and house have more than doubled in size and stayed green all year long.
Our DIY planter arbor has thrived with climbing star jasmine. Easily one of my favorite features of our backyard!
Over on the patio, our variegated bougainvillea are still growing strong on our easy DIY $40 trellis, although they don’t get enough sun to produce many flowers.
Still obsessed with our realistic faux cedar shrubs, striped weatherproof doormat and DIY stone planters!
Our outdoor dining table and patio umbrella have also held up amazingly well after three years of Florida weather. I moved our original bistro chairs (now discontinued) to the Hacienda Hideaway, and replaced them with this similar set at a great price! Our last dining chairs still look brand new so I have high hopes for these as well.
The latest addition is this wicker conversation set, matching table and umbrella.
We finally have a comfortable lounge spot that can accommodate the whole family, and we plan to spend as much time as we can out here until the summer heat arrives!
Our pavers are US Paverscapes McKensie Blend, and they’re looking much nicer now after pressure washing and applying polymeric sand. We did the entire patio in a few hours, and the process was simple. You can see the before/after difference below:
Our exterior paint color is Sherwin Williams Oyster White, the window trim is Sherwin Williams Worldly Gray, and the gutters are the standard dark brown metal option from our builder.
Let me know if I missed anything or if you have any other questions about our backyard! Here’s a few more photos from the birthday celebration…
If you’re planning to refresh your backyard this spring, here are some of my favorite finds that won’t break the bank. I considered several of these for our own backyard, and actually bought a few for our latest rental (more on that soon 😉
This current season of life has called for more time spent with family, and less on projects and work. I’ve been quieter on the blog and social media lately as we’ve been in a transition (more on that soon) and prioritizing our littles who are growing up way too fast.
It feels good to take a step back, but I also have a fun project in the works that I’m really excited about! Keep an eye out on my Instagram so you don’t miss a thing 🙂
Natalie says
Hi Jenna. You have such a beautiful family. Hard to believe your little one is 1 already!! Random question(s) for you if you have time, in regard to the trellises you have up against your house, in between windows. Do you prune those to keep the plants from growing up onto your gutters and roof, and if so, how often do you have to do that? Also, it looks like you have stucco (so do we) – have you noticed any damage from the trellis and/or plants?
Thanks! Natalie
Jenna Sue says
Hi Natalie, thank you so much! The bougainvillea is slow growing, so there have only been a couple strays that have been trimmed away from the gutters once or twice. The plant does not grab on to the house at all, so we have no issues with it damaging the stucco. I hope this helps!
Anna says
I would like to know what plant it is that is thriving under your huge oak tree (the one next to the sofa/conversation set/umbrella)? I can’t seem to grow much under our oaks. Thanks!!
Jenna Sue says
It’s a bougainvillea tree! It was more like a shrub when we bought the house 5 years ago, and has flourished on its own.
Laura says
You have a beautiful home and your son has the most beautiful blue eyes! You guys should be very proud of yourselves!!!
Jenna Sue says
Thank you so much Laura ♥
Carolyn says
You are such a beautiful family! And your home and everything you have done its just gorgeous!
Jenna Sue says
I really appreciate that Carolyn!
Michele M. says
Beautiful home and absolutely beautiful family. I can’t believe this year went so fast. That petite prince was just born!!!! Love how Lucas hand has frosting on it in that family shot. Haha. You are all probably still finding frosting, haha. Glad you had good weather to enjoy that stunning back yard.
Anxiously awaiting your new project!!!! You’re the best out there, and I won’t miss it!!!!!
Jenna Sue says
The fastest year on record 😭 I just want to bottle him up and keep him this little forever.
Theda says
Beautiful family! Enjoy this season, it’s precious!!
Jenna Sue says
It doesn’t get any better than these days 🥹
Teddee Grace says
So enjoyed seeing more of your children. Your son’s eyes are amazing. He’s going to be a heartbreaker. And your lovely daughter is growing so fast! They are both a beautiful combination of the two of you. I love your outdoor space and was impressed by the difference in the look of those pavers after the addition of the Polymeric sand. Looking forward to learning more about your “transition.”
Jenna Sue says
Thank you for the kind words, Teddee!
Elizaveth@pineconesandacorns says
A beautiful family and celebration. Looking forward to seeing whatever you are up to next. Enjoy your break from the blog and social and soak up every second with your sweet children.
Jenna Sue says
Thank you! Absolutely enjoying these slower days lately.
Jolene says
I’ve been watching you since you used to have your office and giant printer overlooking the living room in your CA house. I am so happy for you and Lucas and your two beautiful babes. Thank you for continuing to share your expertise and vision. I love watching all of your projects and progress. Anxious to hear what you’ve got in the works??? Enjoy it all, it goes by in a blink!
Jenna Sue says
Aw thank you so much! You’ve been here through a lot. Hopefully the best is still yet to come! ♥
Holly says
Good for you! Back in the days before the internet, there was less demand on our time like for young families today. We didn’t even have a computer in the house until my daughter was 12! Funny to think about that now when I have my cell phone with me all the time. I’ve also stopped visiting instagram as much because it’s all just influencers selling products. I loved when it was just photography.
Jenna Sue says
Times have changed, that’s for sure! I’ll never regret spending more time with my babies ♥
Maritza Pierret says
Wow!! What a beautiful family, wish you the best. Your babies are adorable, is so beautiful to see young couples like you doing the right thing. My daughter is expecting and I hope that she will have a beautiful family also.
Thank you for sharing because this gives me hope that we will be okay!! Blessings for you and your love ones!!
Jenna Sue says
Congratulations to your family! Life is about to change in the best way possible ♥
Ann says
What a great lookng family!
Jenna Sue says
Thank you Ann 🥰