Finally I got excellent help in posting pictures of the changes in our yard. Dad has wanted a shop for his woodworking for many, many years. Our garage has been his shop. We would have to back out the cars, pull the tools out and take turns using outlets and tools. Then at the end of the day, we cleaned everything up, put everything back, including the cars. This took up to an hour and a half to do. Hard to get excited and also to find time to work on his projects. He didn't think the city would release the utility easements this time since we were turned down sixteen years ago when we first asked them. He has wanted to move to a lot where he could build a shop. I didn't want to move. So, Dad approached the city and I contacted the list of utility companies to request releasement of the utility easements. Dad was very surprised when the companies replied with "No problem." So, Dad contacted the guy who built our home and got a bid to build the shop. We were very excited and had to move quickly to prepare the yard for the construction to begin. Here is the story in progress:

The before shot of the yard. The entire hedge along the driveway had to be removed.

Jenn was a great help with her great muscle strength.

The branches were put in the garden area until a dumpster was brought to the house to fill. That really opened up that side of our yard.

We are enlarging the patio so the old patio concrete had to be removed along with the steps. I wanted wider and not as steep steps so the grandkids were safer as they climbed up and down them.

The hedge in the back was also removed. Luckily, the backhoe that removed the concrete also removed the hedge in the back for us. That saved us so much time and back ache.

The tree had to come down. Allen was thrilled when asked to come help us. I didn't get home till late so sorry the picture is dark. Kaitlyn loved watching the branches fall as her daddy cut them down.

Allen and Dad are skilled now at cutting down large trees. No damage was done to the house or the fence!

Halle smiled for us to keep us happy and motivated to continue the work even though we were tired and had aching muscles.

The walnut tree died and was also cut down. Ashley contributed her muscles and fortitude to help us clean up the branches. What a trooper! We had two very large city dumpsters brought to our house one day and we filled both of them with the two trees and all the hedges.

The shed Dad had built to store all the yard tools and etc. had to go. The Heaton's (family in our ward that does roofing) came and removed it. One of the sons wanted it. The roof went first.

It was loaded on a truck.

Kaitlyn helped supervise the work outside while looking very glamorous.

Then the body of the shed was lifted onto a trailer and away they went. All the stuff from the shed is in the garage, so my car has to be parked outside. It's okay most of the time, but not when I have to scrape my windows in the morning before I leave for work.

Ashley was in charge of feeding us goodies. Kaitlyn was quality control and gave Ashley high ratings on her M&M cookies.

The gravel is down and the area is ready for the concrete floor of the shop to be poured. Dad has pipes buried in the dirt/gravel for electrical outlets to be in the floor of the shop. Also, for the dust collector/vacuumn system in the floor of the shop where certain tools will be so he is not having to step over the hoses. He has studied and drawn up the plans for this shop very carefully so it is convienent, accessible, and organized to work in.

Ready to pour the new patio and steps.

Floor of the shop.

The driveway extended to the shop.

A view from the back fence.

The new patio and steps. I love the steps!!! The siding on our house has been removed. We are having stucco put on the bay windows, the kitchen extension and the chimney.

Surprise! We were in Rome, Italy and Ashley sent this picture to us so we could see the beautiful snow.

The framing began on the shop. More pictures to come. The shop is all framed and the roof on. Sorry, I forgot to take a picture today before it got dark. Dad is very, very excited! Norm (from Old Yankee Workshop tv show) is going to be jealous of Dad's shop!