WAHOO!!!

9/14/09:  Wow, what a day!!!!  The guys got here a little later today (8:15ish) but they were quick to get moving and wow, what a day it turned out to be!  Garrett, Billy and Tony formed, poured and stamped the front walkway and remaining patio and removed the forms from the previously poured spots.  Once the concrete work was done they set to work on the retaining wall.

Thumbs up to the framing - let's pour!

Three Musketeers or Three Stooges???  :-)

Tony floating the concrete

Garrett stamping away...

Beeeeeautiful!

Grading the back for the landing at the bottom of the deck stairs...

...meanwhile Mike's guys (Paul & Danny) were putting in the electrical for the new ceiling fan...

...followed by a new ceiling below!

...finally the stone work could begin!!!

The firepit takes shape

The drainage core of the firepit

Jeff was so bummed to learn he didn't get to burn the FIRST fire....the guys said it needed to be done to help cure the fire brick but Jeff was at Tae Kwon Do....

The large retaining wall is finally framed up so that it can be faced with stone (this was the biggest area of contention between Jeff and I)

...and the beautiful stone work is started...

At the end of the day so much was done.  It may be another week or so before they can get back to frame up the stairs (darn weather!), finish the wall and pour the landing but I am just thrilled with all that was done today!  The stone guys were here until almost 7pm!!!  Stay tuned for a last minute addition to the project...it just keeps getting bigger and I LOVE it!!!