woohoo! new patio

After much contemplation over many months... our new patio and driveway is in process!  Our great pal Sal Lozano (whose kids are in student ministry) is doing a great job on it. here are a few pics of it under construction:
a great way to spend spring break- Sal's sons came to help on the job... here is the youngest

 the forms are up & then we had to leave for work-

 but here's what we came back to:
new gravel for the driveway, and concrete under the carport- YAY no more spiders, bugs, and mud! 

the patio! we laid it out with a hose the morning before Sal came and LOVE the curves he was able to reproduce!  we had an unusual challenge in that our septic tank is centered in the backyard, only about 5 feet from the house.  this was our creative solution- (wait till you see the rest of it- coming soon!)

some of the stamping he blessed us with.  Sal is a super talented concrete man! He is coming back to seal and tint it- can't wait for that!

a view from the back.  We may need to plant some grass soon :) both here and...

here!

 look very closely and you'll see the former home of the pit of despair! Sal and his handy dandy bobcat made quick work of that pile of terribleness!  just to recap look here and here for the pit of despair's history. It truly took a village.  We want to thank Harroll the Round up-er and bonfire man, Linda the yard working extraordinaire, Cliff the Stump Grinder, Sal the concrete guy, and of course Jeff the Brave Husband (I didn't go near it... can we just say snakes and rodents?)
Note:  Funeral services will be scheduled soon for our infamous departed friend.. er... foe... :)

yay for progress!