So it Begins!!

The ground has been broken. We officially have a giant hole in the ground and a small mountain in the backyard. Shortly after we got permits the folks with clipboards started wandering our yard. As luck would have it, we were outside battling a giant stump, when the dirt dudes came by. This was great because Jaydee got a chance to ask them a question that had been plaguing him for months. "What will you do with all the dirt? And if you don't have plans for it, can I have it?" he asked. The dirt guys were more than happy to hand over the pile. It really turned out to be a win win for all of us - We save money paying for the dirt to be removed, the dudes don't have to take the dirt very far, and the dogs get a small mountain to play on. The dirt guys were so pleased with the transaction, they threw in another boon for free - "Hey, you guys want us to move the trees in the front back here while we're at it?"

Remember this big hole we made a couple weekends ago?

Trees was exactly what we needed. Perfect. We shook hands and bid the dirt dudes adieu.

Bright and early Monday morning, the trucks came.

Ok, I know this is a concrete truck... but I don't have a picture of dirt trucks so this'll have to do.  Ok? Ok. 

Then, some nice looking fellows started digging the giant hole in the front yard.

This hole is to become the master bedroom, bath and closet. Very exciting stuff. As promised those two nice dirt folk we met, saved the dirt for us and even moved it to a convenient location for the dogs.

Jaydee was thrilled to come home to find four freshly torn up trees ready to be re-planted in the back yard. He borrowed some dirt from the pups, and hauled the recycled trees to the giant crater in the back yard.

Someone needs to wash his pants...

They look great and they were only $free.95. Gotta love it.

Ok, back to the dirt pile. This shining pile of glory is to become a terrace. Pretty fancy, eh?

All we have to do is buy and stack some retaining wall blocks and then smash the dirt down. For that we get to use a very intriguing tool that Jaydee calls a whomper stomper, or whacker packer, or basher smasher... something like that. It sounds very exciting.

As soon as the crew was done digging the hole in the front yard, they started filling it back up again. They added forms, then concrete, then some scary looking spikes.

This my friends, is my new room.

It's a bit drafty, but whatchagonnado?