So other than a few things I've got a clean slate to work with. I'm planing on doing a figure 8 or kidney style flowerbed around the two trees in the front.
I plan on filling the area with 1/2 in gravel and mixing in some Mexican heather or something of that sort. I may do a small river/waterfall too. I always enjoyed doing those.
Unless my wife changes her mind then I'm leaving the flowerbeds in the front to her and she likes bunches of little flowers. She wants to remove some of the tall grass stuff and go in with potato vine. I guess the flowers and stuff like that are really up in the air right now.
I've got a little space in my backyard but not nearly as much as I'd like. I've got two sides that would make good dog runs when we get one. I plan on turning at least one into a dog run for whenever we have kids and don't want them playing hand and foot with dog crap.
I've got a small shed that I need to do some repairs on and I'm debating whether to fix the shingles or replace the roof with a metal one.
The part of the backyard that butts up against the house we plan on putting a pergola over from the corner to the edge of the house. I'm thinking lattice on the east side to create shade for our extremely hot summers. My wife will probably want some mandavilla vines or morning glories to climb it. And some misters, I'll be definitely adding misters to keep everyone cool when they chill outside.
And finally the rear of the yard. I'm planning on getting a fairly large swing set with the slide, climbing wall, jungle gym and all for my future kiddos.
The dwarf evergreens did NOT make it through this summer. Most of them died last summer but the last two died this year after we had so many 100+ dry days. I told my wife she was just wasting money but she said they reminded her of the mountains.