5 sections done. getting better on each one. 

Ladder pour.

today's pour. Start of the ladder. 
poured this section on Thursday the 9th. Was the 5th section to pour and the best so far. Getting the pebbles to show up top is real hard. First you lay down concrete to about an inch and half from the top of the forms.
then you put the last inch and half in all at once so its the same Consistency, IE: all dry about the same time.
you then sprinkle the pebbles onto it.
then press them down with a 2x6. Covering all the pebbles.
then go skinny dipping for about an hour while it dries some (this depends on the Temperature, sunlight, wind, yesterday was about an hour)
then you roll it with my home made 150lb roller! Being careful to not dent the concrete, your just rolling the rocks flat.
you then start brushing the concrete off the top of the pebbles, exposing them.

This is much harder than it sounds, and takes the longest. The concert has to be dry but not dry. Its more of a feel than anything.

after it has dried a lot more, you brush, then spray it with just little bit of water, the water takes or is suppose to take just the top layer of concrete off. You have to get this just right. To much water pressure and you will take pebbles out, leaving little Indentions and uneven spots.
to dry and you wont take any off and the pebbles wont be exposed.

If you cant get it (the top layer of concrete) off, then when it dries you use muratic acid mixed with water to eat (called etching) the concrete off.
Again, to much acid and you will take too much concrete off and the pebbles will come loose.

from side. right outside the back door.

from side 

The grass you see was put down to help stop the mud pit right outside the back door.
was my sister-in-laws idea.

From the back corner fence 

Ooops

George Bush was out jogging one morning along the parkway when he tripped, fell over the bridge railing and landed in the creek below.
Before the Secret Service guys could get to him, three kids, who were fishing, pulled him out of the water. He was so grateful he offered the kids whatever they wanted.
The first kid said: "I sure would like to go to Disneyland." George said: "No problem. I'll take you there on Air Force One."

The second kid said: "I really need a new pair of Nike Air Jordan's." George said: "I'll get them for you and even have Michael sign them!".

The third kid said: "I want a motorized wheelchair with a built-in TV and stereo headset!!" George Bush is a little perplexed by this and says: "But you don't look like you are injured."
The kid says: "But I will be after my dad finds out I saved your ass from drowning!"

passed inspection its time to lay some concrete

Lets rock!  

As you can see, the rebar is done, the forms are up!
I just passed my second of 3 inspections, so I can pour the deck. Will start Friday after work on the actual pour, but will be getting everything ready until then.

Cement time 

Cement time 

cement time 

From back yard