Brick by Brick

Below is Shawn's sketch of our backyard plan.

In April, we decided to work on "phase one" of our backyard: pavers & a fire pit. We hired out some of the digging work to some guys at our church (Shawn didn't have enough time) and here is the before photo:

After the patio area was dug out, we ordered base & bought pavers from Orco block. My dad is amazing, and was in Vegas for business, and drove down to help with all the prep work. Unfortunately, it rained (which is rare here!) and we didn't get as far as we hoped, but he was still very helpful!

See photo below: pavers delivered, Shawn & dad planning:

My dad also helped Shawn with the footing for our "eventual" patio cover.

See Orin in the footing box below (what a cheeseball!):

After the base was laid and compacted, and a layer of sand was laid and compacted, (which was done with MUCH help from AWESOME friends), the "boys" (little & big) got to laying those pavers brick by brick... like I said AWESOME friends.

My boys were a big "help" too... well, not exactly... keep reading!

MEANWHILE, while all the work was going on outside, Orin had some "creative" ideas inside.

Note: that is indeed a CD in Orin's diaper.

He also decided to use my lip gloss as a face paint... let's just say I for one was not much help on the patio... had my hands full!

We definitely couldn't have built our patio without all the AMAZING people in our lives... we are so blessed.

See finished patio below:

Shawn also built a fire pit (we actually found these bricks @ Home Depot for a killer deal, so we decided to make the pit/seating square... but I love it!

We have absolutely LOVED having a place to hang out this summer & have been roasting lots of "smarshmellows" as Ory calls them. Orin has said multiple times that his patio is his favorite place to sit & he loves to tell people how his daddy made him a patio. Shawn did a great job...smores anyone?