The driveway

This weekend we had Annandale Rock drop off two loads of crushed granite to pack into the driveway. But, apparently over Labor Day when we had them drop off the rocks and fill they got stuck with their big trucks so this time they weren't too fond of dropping off the load at the bottom and told me they were going to leave it at the top instead. When we got there Friday night there were two HUGE piles completely blocking the entire driveway and even spilling into the trees that separate our lot and our neighbors! It took Dan about 30 minutes to shovel a space to drive the bobcat through. Saturday a.m. around 9 Dan used the bobcat to spread it all around while I dug in some landscaping separators between the house and the sidewalk area and shoveled some of the granite up against the retaining wall where Dan couldn't get with the bobcat. It started raining about 11:30 so we got pretty wet even with my rain poncho shoveling away :) We got done a little before 1 when the rain really started to come down. Although it wasn't fun to work in the rain it was actually a good time to get it done because the rain helps pack in the rock. The hostas that we planted looked a little tired from being transplanted but I think they will grow good roots for next year. And we were really surprised to see some of the grass seed already starting to grow! Hopefully by next summer we'll have a fairly good yard.

We still have a couple edgers to dig in where some of our plants are and get a little more river rock for around the fixed patio, but other than that the big outdoor projects are done. This winter we'll cut down some of the trees close to the lake when the lake is frozen so there are always fun projects to keep us busy.

Thanks to everyone that helped us worked on the retaining wall and landscaping a few weeks ago! Now that its done we are really admiring how good it looks, thanks again!

View of the driveway and retaining wall from the road

View of the driveway and walkway - it will keep getting packed in over time as people walk and drive on it. The rain really helps!

Labor Day weekend

We took Labor Day seriously! Friday we had Annandale Rock deliver a load of riprap and fill to the lake to build a retaining wall around our septic in the front yard. The riprap was supposed to be rocks between 6 and 14 inches in diameter but when it arrived there were quite a few really large rocks that were more like 3 feet in diameter! My parents came Friday night so we could get an early start on Saturday and that is when my dad and Dan decided to look into renting a bobcat to help with the project. Luckily Big Al's Rental in Annandale had one available so Saturday a.m. they started tearing away at the hill.

Tom and Becky came that afternoon and then Jeremy and Allison arrived with their kids and some friends. With the bobcat it actually went pretty fast and we got the retaining wall and another little wall around our firepit done before dark. Jon came that evening and stayed over to help us finish up leveling the yard and filling in ruts in the backyard. Dan was able to have the bobcat returned Sunday so we only needed it for one day, when originally we thought we'd need it all weekend.

Dan's parents came up Sunday afternoon with grass seed and some hostas and other plants to get those started this fall before winter. Monday was the work day digging out places for the hostas while Dan tackled fixing the patio.

It was a busy and tiring weekend, but we are really happy with the results. Now we're considering getting some crushed granite for the driveway in a couple weeks, but we've made great progress on the landscaping!

Before picture
Dan digging out the wall
Dan and Tom spreading fill on top of the retaining wall

Allison and Hunter

Tom and Dan leveling the firepit area

Finished firepit wall

Finished retaining wall and view of Roger and Monica planting hostas

Hostas around finished septic area

Jon leveling out the driveway

Cleared out area for hostas