Backyard Makeover – Part 5

June 29, 2015August 20, 2015Leave a comment

Kevin has spent many nights this week framing the new patio cover. Thanks to our brother in law Dan, Kevin’s brother Jason, and our friend Jake for their help.

The patio cover is much taller than I expected but I am pleasantly surprised. I think it will make a grand statement and I cannot wait to begin picking out lighting and other patio furniture decor.

Lumberjacks, Kevin & Dan. Placing the first supporting beam up.

Getting the center ridge of the roof in place.

Framing begins on the roof.

Support cross beams in place.

Look at the size of this thing!

Framing completed.

My hero 🙂

Where’s Waldo? Up on the roof… in 100 degree heat…

Shiplap roofing being installed…

Backyard Makeover – Part 4

June 15, 2015July 4, 2015Leave a comment

Work has begun on the winding paths throughout the garden. The original concrete was broken and reused. Each stone was laid, leveled, and arranged by hand. I absolutely LOVE the end product. My dad wanted you to be drawn into the back yard with each turn of the path.

Path dug out, ready for concrete stones to be laid.

Left path leading to the side gate. Right path leading to the future sand box.

Each piece of broken concrete was laid and leveled by hand.

DG was used to fill in the cracks to help keep everything in place and resist runoff.

Backyard Makeover – Part 3

June 8, 2015July 4, 2015Leave a comment

Today work began on the new and improved patio space. My dad has dreamed up a space that will provide a great place for entertaining and relaxation. He has designed a wall to surround the patio that will serve as seating and containment of the dirt behind it. We think that we will be able to seat 20 people comfortably, perfect for home group! Kevin now needs to build the patio cover to go above it.

Digging the trenches for the seat wall.

Preparing the molds for the rounded edges of the seat wall.

Ready for concrete for the slab beneath the shed.

Cement is here!

My dad chose a dark charcoal gray color to match the house.

Concrete poured for the shed slab.

Concrete design by Papa John

11 Months old today!

Waiting patiently for the birthday party backyard reveal!

Backyard Makeover – Part 2

June 5, 2015July 4, 2015Leave a comment

With no time wasted, at 7:00 this morning the Bobcat arrived and began ripping out the existing concrete. Within a matter of hours, the concrete was removed and the ground beneath the future patio had been leveled. Talk about a quick turnaround!

Goodbye old concrete!

Parker was awakened from his nap from the loud noises outside. Luckily he didn’t seem to mind…

We enjoyed watching the tractor from the inside of the house.

Happy to see the concrete breaking in nice large pieces to be used for our garden paths!

Papa John came over and chalked out where he envisions everything going.

Just imagine a beautiful winding path that draws you into the secret garden.

Enjoying cool breeze in the afternoon, can't wait to see what everything will look like in just a few short weeks.

After a long day, P and Grandpa enjoyed the cool breeze in the afternoon.

Backyard Makeover – Part 1

June 4, 2015July 4, 2015Leave a comment

My dad texted us last night and said, “My mason and I will be there before 8am to go over my backyard design”… What?? I was so excited to hear that my dad was willing to start working away on our backyard before Parker’s 1st birthday party in July. He has described to me a beautiful oasis that is both inviting and accommodating for entertaining and relaxing for a night out on the patio after a long day’s work. Let’s get started!

Check out the BEFORE photos below…

Thanks Dad!

Papa John measuring for the new patio.

Looking from our side gate at the back of the house (Northwest view).

Looking at the back of our house from the garage.

Looking at the garage from the southeast corner of the yard.

South East View

Southwest View

West Side Yard View

We will be moving the shed (seen in prior photos) to wear the ladder is sitting in this photo. In return we will put a sandbox where the shed currently sits for a play area for Parker.

Kevin and Dan got a head start and began breaking up the concrete on the west side yard. We are saving all of these broken pieces to be reused in a winding path throughout the garden.