Patio Hard Labor

We've been wanting to have a patio out in our back yard for some time...so when Dan's folks came down for their annual Spring break vacation...Dad fearlessly took on the project!








We put Dad's Land Surveying talent to good use! Those retaining wall blocks are about 25lbs each!





It took a little discussion (OK maybe a lot...) but Dad figured out a good system to get our wall at the correct dropped elevation.








This was the funnest part! Fortunately no house walls were damaged!





It took 36 yard of sand to fill in our sloping back yard.





Did I mention that this was the funnest part?





The sand compactor was awesome! After it was done our shoes didn't even leave a single track in the sand.





We estimated 27 yards was needed...but by the time we figured out that we were going to be short, the tractor had to go back. So the last 9 yards we had to manually move. Good thing we had some big strong boys to help us!





It wasn't all work and no play...





Dad figured out an ingenious way to level out the sand...although Dan's back wasn't sure about the ingenious part!





Those steps were not light...but on the second try we got them in their right place!





All graded flat and ready for the pavers...





How many more do I have to put in???





Shannon was the master paver....



Dad put on the final touches by custom cutting the last blocks that abutted the retaining wall.

The last paver...Shannon will ever lay...



Celebrate good times...come on...





Nice!





Relaxation and community is what the patio is all about!