Patio Project ~ Part 2

This is part 2 of our patio project. My husband and boys have been spending every extra moment that they have working really hard to get this done. Cade and Ian work on parts during the other kids nap time and then when Daddy comes home from work. Thanks guys for your hard work!

Cade digging up the gravel.

They started moving the slate pavers. The gravel has to be dug up along with all of the topsoil from the plants.

Rob working on the topsoil after he had moved the first couple of pieces of slate for Cade to start digging.

Cade shoveling the gravel into buckets.

Rob, Cade, and Ian used some of the slate pavers to build a temporary exit off of the back patio so we don't have to walk in the dirt and sand to get to the backyard or into the house.

The first several pavers moved and gravel dug out.

Cade, Ian, and Rob moving the pavers.

Some of the big pieces are very heavy!

Carrying it to the tractor to haul away.

Loading the pavers.

Hauling them to our temporary spot.

Tate sitting on our temporary slate walkway off the side of the patio.

Eating supper outside during a quick break and then back to work.

This has been the normal occurrence for them recently since they are working every evening they get a chance except for Wednesdays and Sundays.

The pavers have been removed.

All that is left is the small bricks to be moved.

Cade and Ian picking up the small brick border.

Loading them up in the wheelbarrow...

and hauling them to their temporary spot.

Oops...it tipped over!

Deciding what to do next!

Carrying the bricks to their spot.

Next, we realized that the water sprinkler system had to be removed from this area. Cade and Tate digging a trench around the pipes.

They have uncovered that section.

Rob and Ian digging up another section.

Sprinkler system piping exposed.

They have cut off the sections that need to be removed and capped off those ends. Next, they have to finish digging up the topsoil which they are getting close to finishing.

We have two loads of dirt being delivered this week so that he can start grading and leveling off the area in order to frame it up. We also need to grade and level an area close to the patio area where a tree was taken out from Hurricane Gustav.

Hopefully the progress will continue and we will be able to finish this project soon. I will keep you updated on the progress. We would like and need to have this project finished by the Fourth of July.