Church Renovation Project July - Early August

It is amazing to see how quickly things have changed in our backyard and all over the church.  Each day new things are happening. I often joke that I eat hour long breakfasts and lunches because I am so mesmerized by the work happening in the yard.  Sometimes it is genuinely true.  

Things got off to a bit of a slow start, but once things got moving... they really moved! 

The took down one swing set giving us an even bigger yard! 

An excavator came and dug up an upper patio. 

A ramp was constructed so people could get into church during the renovation. 

We were able to enjoy one last game of baseball in the yard on July 13th!

They put up a fence alone the property lines. They took down 2 trees and the retaining wall.  They added a driveway.  

Waterfight!

They fenced us in on the patio.  Sidewalk is being removed... no more trips through that door!

We had an INCREDIBLE sunset!

Removing the step. 

They took the little awning thing off and dug a small pit so they could bring out basement demo. 

T: My room is a great place to watch construction. 

Making progress.

Covered walkway removed!

Elevator shaft dug and brick removed!

A mini work project, finding bricks that are reusable.  It is very hard to get cream city brick, so we worked to save as much as we could.  We are learning daily how important it is that we saved this brick.

Brick finders. 

It felt like we  were digging through the rubble of a natural disaster. 

Jackhammering the side of the building to get to the basement for demo.  (7-31)

T: I was super excited to watch the jackhammering, but it was really loud. 

T: I only lasted a few minutes. 

I managed a minute outside in the noise to get another picture. 

Our door are gone and the basement is open.  

Once they had a way to get things out of the basement some serious demo started to occur down there. 

The wall disappeared!

Another wall gone!

Temporary support beams. 

An open staircase!

Spaces are opening up. 

Another pit dug!

So so much has happened since these photos, but it is fun to have some highlights to look back on and it is encouraging to think about how far we have come.