Windows and Bathtubs

Yes, the roof is completely on, all the windows have been installed, all the plumbing is roughed in, we have a propane tank, plus it has been connected, the wiring looks to be complete too. Our exterior doors have been delivered, but haven't been installed. I am hoping to get the fireplace framed and the insert put in this week too.



I love how great the back of the house looks; it's just as interesting as the front. I said I didn't want a rectangle house. Mark made sure I got my wish on this one.



I stopped out there this past week to find the tubs in place. I wanted to jump in, but mine was stilled wrapped up. Pretty exciting stuff. It is getting me a bit scared. We are really going to be moving. I'm not ready for that yet!



Of course I am totally excited about having our very own garage. I love the finishing touch of the arched garage doors. I always wanted them to have an arch, not squared. I was almost giddy when I saw they had cut them out. Looks great!



We opted for the smaller front door and put a transom over it instead. I think it will look great and also let some light in the entry way as we don't have any side lights. (Vocabulary word of the day: transom - I had no clude what that was until Mark asked me what I thought about having one. Now I am on the look out for other homes that have transoms.)



We didn't realize how big this front window was. On paper, it didn't look that big, but now that it's in, it takes up that whole front room wall. All the better to look out and enjoy a beautiful sunset, right?!



What's up next? I think we could have our 4-way inspection this week and then it's on to insolation and sheet rock, baby!

Green House

So I had my first melt down with the house. Seriously, I was in tears, and Mark had to reassure me over and over that it will all look good.

I swear our roof looks green. We looked and looked at roofs for a long time trying to decide what we wanted. We gave the builder our color of choice, a nice charcoal grey - Estate Grey - to be exact; dark enough but not too dark. I really don't like the way it looks, but Marks says it will all look great when everything is on. I am hoping that he's right, but deep down I am feeling sorry for myself and my ugly green roof, because there is a lot of roof on this house.



I know you really can't tell the true color of the roof, but when you see it in person, don't tell me it looks green. I may just start to cry.

To end on a positive for today, at least the house is all covered and should be completely shingled by the end of the week. Get some windows and doors on and this place will ready for the snow. No more shoveling out kitchen for me. We really have been so blessed with amazing weather through this portion of the process. Guess it makes up for the crazy wet spring we had to delay the road.

The latest

Yesterday they had a bunch of workers onsite and got lots of work done. This pictures was taken earlier, and you can see some of the progress throughout the day. My FIL went and took three sets of pictures throughout the day. He had my MIL busy at the computer sending lots and lots of pictures. I am excited about going out to see it for myself tomorrow.



I now have a front porch. How fun!


They are suppose to be working on the gas lines inside too. We are unable to get a gas line out to our house, so I am having a propane tank installed. After building the road, the money tree dried up. It costs a more money than expected to put in a gas line. It's not my first choice, but it will have to do for now -- so no more gas cooktop for us. We also are putting in a pellet fireplace rather than a gas one. I'm a little scared about our utility bills.

The house is coming together. The boys are getting a little tired of the whole house thing for now; at least they don't seem too excited about looking at more pictures on the computer. But, when we go out there, they have themselves too much fun finding new things to do and exploring new areas.

This is above a garage looking down into the family room.

More concrete for the driveway. This slab connects to the two garages.

More Trusses and Stairs

Look at her now!!!!!

Yep, I'm getting myself a real house here! I can't wait to go out tomorrow and see the progress of the week. The stairs to the bonus rooms are in and they have started rolling out the flooring for the second level, along with some of those trusses.
All these photos have been from my great in-laws who keep us updated on the daily progress. We are trying to be good and not use our gas money for driving out to see the house each day.

Trusses

This afternoon I got word from our personal photographer that the crane lifter was onsite...not long after I had a "few pics" in the the Inbox - 66 to be exact. He is one great photographer!









So here's to getting a roof on this house. The snow fell this morning and left a trace, but let's hope we can close this up soon before anymore of that white stuff finds its way to our place.



The stairs are in, and I have two very excited boys! Now they can get down to the crawlspace with much more ease!!

And it continues!

Today's pictures fresh from the Inbox. Thanks, Mom and Dad!

This shows what work they completed yesterday. Loving it!!

The Framing Begins

The happy couple! We can't believe it's happening!
Can I just say how great my husband looks?! His face in this picture really shows how well he's doing. He tells me I've never seen him at this weight before. He's looking pretty hot to me!

We finally got to go out yesterday to see the work that had been completed this week. My personal photographer (Grandpa Gull) sent pics during the week to keep us updated and wanting to drive out there. We used some restraint and stayed home.

First they started framing out the crawl space. It is a bit shorter than Mark had envisioned it, but it will make for some great extra storage space. They quickly had the crawlspace walls up and then came the floor. They completely covered up the crawl space with the flooring and then cut out a small section that they boys crawled through to check it out. I told Mark I'd go down there when they have stairs for me. Grandpa teased the boys that the crawlspace is where we'll keep our "rats" as he called them.


Ethan said he had to go down!


Aaron quickly followed!


Of course, Alex has to do what the big boys are doing. Down he goes.

By Friday morning, the walls were coming together and when we went out yesterday they had nearly all the exterior walls up. The wall between the two bedrooms on the mainfloor was also up. It makes me want to cry just thinking about it.









We have been so blessed with such great whether during this portion of the construction. It will probably rain tomorrow, but the rest of the week looks decent. I am praying that we can continue to be blessed with good conditions until we can get this place closed in.

More concrete

Looks like today I am getting a place to park the car, and van, and truck, and...Yeah for garages!



Living in the townhomes for the last 13 years with only one covered parking spot has been enough.

Backfilled

Yesterday they backfilled up against the footings and foundation. Now it's our turn to put down some gravel in the crawlspace areas that won't have concrete. Thank heavens grandpa has a tractor we can use. Can you image us with our wheelbarrows out there trying to do the job? I certainly can't! Saturday sounds like a fun time!



Have I ever mentioned how dusty it is out there? I can't even compare this soil to what my parents have up at their home. Back home the soil is beautiful and black. Here's to hoping I can get things to grow!!!



These photos are courtesy of our builder and his FB page.

Let's hope that framer hurries up and gets that other home done so he can come start on mine!!

How Firm a Foundation

Well, let's hope it firm!! Yesterday they poured the foundation and this morning I got pics of the completed foundation. With every step I think, "Wow, it's starting to take shape and look like a house." This step was no exception.

Here are some pics from yesterday when they had just poured the foundation walls.











And here is where we are this morning. The forms are down and you can see the house really taking shape. Next step: spray some tar along the footings and backfill next to them. Mark may work something so we can get that gravel in without braking our backs doing it.