Big Things

We've been busy this week. Let me 'splain. No, there is too much. Let me sum up.

We're re-doing a french drain around our house. So right now, our yard looks like this:

This is the view off the girls' balcony.

So, to tell this fine tale, I must begin.... with John picking up and delivering a Terramite (we call it the Termite)  backhoe to our house bright and early Monday morning.

He gave a quick how-to course and then left us to our own destruction.

The backhoe neatly parked in the back of the house, Grand Dude and Daddy make the war plans out back

and out front.

But then the dump truck arrived and let us know that this was really gonna happen.

Innocent bystanders hope the truck doesn't tip on out hill.

And then unsuccessfully attempt to protect our manicured grass from the clutches of the sand-man.

Others just smile and think of the sculpting possibilities.

And still others enjoy it as they should.

Monday Daddy and I made a trip to Lowe's in our lovely jingly jalopy.

I think this is Tuesday now. After Co-op classes, Daniel, Emma, Willa, Caroline and I spent 4 hours digging a trench through creek rock behind a retaining wall. I was thankful to take a break to learn the art of backhoeing.

We interupt this program to bring you two pictures of spidewebs Willa took yesterday morning. Ain't they purty?

Wednesday morning Mr. Wade Mastre arrived ready to dig.

And dig he did!

Didn't you know? We're staring a quarry.

Let me introduce you to Daniel. Dan the Backhoe Man.

He's pretty much indispensible and we're so thankful he's been able to be over here so much.

Willa and Caroline took a break from ditch digging to clean the kitchen and make chocolate chip cookies. Mmmm!

I ask you to now turn your attention to the white pipe in the bottom right corner of this photo. That would be our septic line...that they busted through....

We were oh so thankful that it was fixed before too many hours had passed. Flushing the toilet is kinda nice.

The filthy work crew.

The happy grand daughters with the Grandest of Dudes.

Finally after way too many man (er, and girl) power hours, the trench and pipe at the bottom we were trying to find are done and Willa was able to power wash the pipe clean. :)

Mr. Mastre and sons stayed to eat some pizza at the end of the day...

...although for some of us it'd be another two hours before we'd quit for the night. Elsie took this picture of Willa and me unloading garden hose to untangle and use to...

Powerwash the back wall! Unfortunately we ran into dozens of problems and our power washer decided to quit. The one we borrowed worked for a little while and then quit, too. Thankfully that one is working this morning, though. So, off for another day of really fun hard work! We're having so much fun. :)