After many weeks, months (and years) waiting, the actual build of the new home has begun with the ground breaking. This was delayed from last week due to some apparent challenges with the utilities (who measured and placed the utility box in the middle of the future driveway). That hurdle was finally cleared, which allowed the digging to begin.
In theory, we are still on track for a completion mid-October, but keeping the fingers crossed for no major further complications.