Philip & Jenepher

Sunday, December 30, 2012

Philip's Summer Jobs

Philip had two really awesome job opportunities this past spring and summer. In April, May, and June he was able to work on the landscaping for a historic home that was re-purchased by our brother-in-laws family. This house is one of the oldest that is still standing in Utah, well over 150 years old. He wasn't able to finish the landscaping before we had to leave for Seattle, but perhaps he will be able to this year.

A plaque on a road near the property that commemorates the home and its historical significance

Before picture of the house from the road, shrubbery in the front that was completely grown over so that the house was not even visible from the road

Side view of the front yard, house to the left and road past the bushes to the right, also completely grown over

View of the front of the house before it was landscaped

Process picture, now you can see the house from the road!

Philip's final plans for the house

After landscaping

The front after landscaping

Side yard after landscaping

View from the road after landscaping, it was getting dark out, the portion near the road has not yet been landscaped

Philip wished he had more time to work on the house to get farther on it, but he was attending classes and working at BYU while trying to find extra time to work on this house. This house was also a 45 minute one way drive from home, so that also made it challenging to get up there too often. He really did a lot of work though and the property looked substantially better from the work he did. Pictures don't do justice!

Philip's summer job in Seattle was a much larger one. Due to the generosity of Rob and Susan Damiano (Susan is Philip's sister), we were able to go to Seattle and Philip was able to gain valuable experience by working on landscaping their front and back yard. Philip was also not able to completely finish this project before we left as we were only there for 8 weeks, but the yards still looked drastically different when we left!

First for the front yard:

Before

In Process

After, and no, Philip cannot reasonably take credit for the house getting painted, added bonus =)

After

The back yard:

Before

In Process

After, still not finished, but you can get the idea! Oh, and Rob built the deck, not Philip, its not finished either here.

After

The differences of before and after in their yard were just incredible! The new landscaping really helped to create a usable and fun outdoor space. There is definitely still work to be done on the backyard, but its off to a great start! Philip and I are both so grateful to Susan and Rob and their kids for taking us in this summer and giving Philip this awesome opportunity. It really was an invaluable experience for him and one that taught him a lot about being a true landscaper.

Oh, and this is what Philip looked like at the end of every day, not even sure you can tell just how dirty he really is in these pictures.... and I've never seen my hubby with such a big farmers tan! Too bad we didn't get a picture of that!

Summer in Seattle

Philip worked hard in Seattle this summer, and even though he was working 10-12 hours a day 6 days a week, and even though I was feeling miserably sick with first trimester hoopla, we were able to have some fun!

While Philip was getting all sweaty and dirty working outside, I had some fun with my little niece and nephew. We went to the park together, played outside, watched cartoons, built forts, read books, hunted for snails, and did lots of other things. They were my little buddies while Philip was busy at work!

Devony eating something......

The fan blown fort they built! Devony is popping her head out, Jett is in there too, but you can't see him. One of the best fort ideas I've ever seen - credit will have to go to the older brothers, Seth and Dakota.

Successful snail hunting, we got 3 on one leaf!

At the park! Devony, Seth, and Jett.

We were also able to do several things with the entire Damiano family while there. We went on walks around a beautiful lake and at a wetland perservatory. We were able to celebrate Rob's 40th birthday. And while I was gone visiting my family, Philip went with them to a Japanese garden.

Susan, Seth, and Devony walking along at the bog.

Philip & I with Devony & Jett at the bog

Rob, Susan, and Philip with Jett on his shouldars

Rob's 40th birthday barbecue, putting the new landscaping to use!

Philip & I at the party

Rob and his cake that should have been covered in 40 candles, luckily we went easy on him

Me & Devony & Jett at the party

Rob, Seth, Devony, and Dakota at the Japanese garden

My family was also able to pay us a short visit while we were in Seattle! The two main things we did when they visited were to go on a hike to the beach and to go whale watching!