Projects

July is probably not the time of year to be taking on outdoor projects in Northern Virginia

 but as they say 

"You've got to make hay while the sun shines."

Beginning of project #1...the dog run

I don't know exactly how much room a dog run should encompass but from a couple of websites I looked at the largest I found that you can order the plans and the materials for is a 12 ft x 12 ft area.  Another website mentioned that it should be a minimum of 4 ft wide by up to 50 ft long. Alyssa and Logan's pooch is now frolicking in an area that is 185ft x 24ft.

Logan had a buddy come over to help with the two-man auger that was rented to dig the post holes. A few still had to be dug by hand because of tree roots.

It took the good part of our first Saturday to get the holes done. It was hot and dirty work and it was nice to head over to Kurt and Kelly's for a barbecue that evening.

Cementing the corner posts

They managed to get the corner posts set and cemented into place. All they needed to do was let those cure and go on to the fence line poles on another day.

I didn't get pictures of our nephew, Jacob and Logan carrying cement bags two at a time out to the back fence line. They worked side by side for many hours while Tiia and Ari visited with their cousins in the air-conditioned house.  We barbecued for supper and the kids got to stay to eat.   

By the next weekend Rob-dog had an amazing yard to run his Labradane legs off in. Much to the squirrel and birds dismay.

Project #2 - the picnic table

Made of heavy duty treated lumber, this eight foot long picnic table is going to be a great place to sit and watch the kids play on the swings or in the playhouse. And just to the east of this table are a couple of trees and a tall stump that Harlan is already dreaming of building a treehouse in.

Another work project

Logan's got quite the little bike track running through the woods at their place. He's built up some jumps and dug out and banked some corners. The shovel ready project when we arrived was a wooden ramp that needed to be packed with dirt. Both Hayden and Cam went out and did some shoveling from time to time. Logan was out there a lot too. Many hands made light work, or maybe not. It was hot and humid and it was work. It got finished enough for Logan to take the jump a couple of times before they headed to South Carolina for Charlie's boot camp graduation. Hayden, Harlan and Logan all have video footage of the jump and the spectacular landing that had Logan taking out a sapling in the process.

Chips off the old block

This is the first summer that Rowan has been riding. He's getting pretty good. If he can dodge that black dog shaped blur, he'll be fine :P

Katie is going to be the daredevil out of the three kids. She only needs a bit of encouragement to ride down the ramps and over the jumps. She's still using a non-pedal bike so she's doing great!

They have a cool half log bench out there on side of the trail to rest on after a ride. Or for Grammas to sit on while watching the riders.

Har's big project

Logan or Alyssa, I'm not sure who, mentioned that they'd like a storage place for boots and shoes in their garage. That's all it took for Har to start designing and measuring and brainstorming.

I should have gotten a picture of his drawings in his notebook. He's very artistic and technical at the same time with his drawings and calculations.

This was a multiple day project that required the purchase of a saw and other tools.

My job was to keep the kids and dogs at a safe distance when the tools were being used and to keep my guy hydrated. Grampa had visitors from time to time. Cute ones. One of them asked a few questions :D

I posed with him and the finished project like I had something to do with it!

The next morning Har had me take a picture of him proving how secure and strong the design is. They can safely store large bags of Rob's food up there if they really want to.

Nice job, Har, and great  work guys!!!