The final countdown...

It's getting close here. The final inspection with the county was yesterday. Now we just have to get the financing all wrapped up. Here are a few pics of the latest progress.

Welcome to 329 Heritage Way!


Again. I searched and searched for the perfect color for the exterior, and I'm feeling a little disappointment. I tried to match the color of a home in West Jordan, but not sure I got the result I was looking for. Everything is always too green for me. Guess it will match my green roof, right!? They haven't finished the painting of the dormers and some of the trim. Once again, Mark says it will look great, still not sold.





The front door hasn't been stained yet either. Yesterday they did finish up the carpet on the stairs and in the bonus rooms. The carpet is a LONG story, but overall, I think I will like it and it should wear well, too. It has a small pattern in it and is set on point.





I'm digging my sidewalk and driveway. Never thought I could love some concrete as much as I do. We plan to get some things moved out there this weekend and occupy it as soon as the paperwork is all complete.

The boys will start school there on Monday. I spoke to their new principal yesterday about getting their teachers assigned. We go out on Thursday to meet them and tour the school. I'm hoping that goes well. I even got the boys set up to ride the bus with bus driver Julie. Sounds like a good time!!

Now I need to go buy me a mailbox and get the mail carrier ready to come to my home. The garbage pickup has already been set up too. We were looking at Internet options last night. Guess I better get that set up here soon, or I will be out of the loop with no connection to the outside world.

Appliances

Last night we had to go out to the house to get some measurements for last portion of the driveway and our sidewalk and stairs. I was really thinking that the electrician would be out there installing the last of the lights, but no.

To our surprise, the kitchen appliances were being installed. I think I am in trouble. Alex was opening the new fridge by himself. I can just see lots of spilled milk already....











The toilets were all in. The plumber was almost finished with installing the hardware in all the bathrooms. If we are lucky and the weather cooperates this week. We hope to pour concrete and paint the exterior. The weather reports looked good this morning. Let's hope they stay true to the forecasts.







I was also really excited to see how they trimmed up the front porch pillar. It didn't have anything on it, and now I think it looks much better.


The fireplace hearthstones won't fit with how it was framed up, so now they have to take out the hearth and redo that. They are going to have to make it square now to accommodate the hearthstones we are using too.


We are having our appraisal tommorrow. Hoping all the rest of the finance portion goes as planned and falls into place.

The boys are getting excited but scared at the same time. They aren't sure about having to go to a new school. They both asked me last night if Dad would give them blessings before they have to go. I felt sad for them; knowing they have to leave all their friends -- the familiarity of our home -- all the comforts we have here. I know it's scary. I'm scared too. I'm sure they haven't thought that mom and dad have to make new friends too.

It's coming, and it's coming fast!

Countertops

Just a few quick pics for my mom!!

The counter tops are installed and so are the sinks. I'm really loving the cabinets in the kitchen. The hood isn't all in yet, but I think it will look pretty good. The granite in the kitchen is darker than I thought it would be, but I just am happy when I stand in the kitchen and look around. I still can't believe it is my new kitchen. I love it!






The railing is now all installed. It will be stained to match the cabinets. I like how this turned out.


Island and prep sink - a fun place to make sugar cookies, do home work with the boys, or just sit around and have a little something to eat with my four favorite boys!


Look mom, I have a cutting board! I didn't even realize he had designed it into the kitchen.




Mark brought home our new pots last night. He ordered them from a lady at work. The ones we have now are looking pretty sad, but I had to get new ones because of the cook top we chose. It is an induction cook top and our pots won't work on it. What's a girl to do? Buy new ones, right?! They are nice and shiny stainless steel.

The lights were getting installed and it was amazing to actually turn a switch and have some of the lights come on. Pretty cool, huh! I have lights that actually work! We were short a fan and flood light on our lighting package. It took some time, but I got that all worked out yesterday.

The electrician needed more down rods to hang the big lights, so they weren't up yet, just sitting there waiting to be put in. I was a little disappointed to see that several of the lights that had been installed were not correct in their finish. I usually go along with things, and try not to cause any problems, but I have learned along the way of building a house there are some things you need to stand up for, and this was one of them. I called the lighting guy and asked that he change them out for the correct ones.

Not sure what to think about the light switches themselves. I had asked, via email - back in November, to have them upgraded to those flat ones rather than the toggle kind. I should have followed up more with my builder and ensured this would be upgraded. Needless to say, they are all in and are toggle. This time I'm not sure I should put up a stink about it either. I know that's a TON of work to get changed out.

Cabinet Surprise

It was Saturday, February 25, and I couldn't take it any longer. I wasn't sure what Sunday would bring or if we'd be able to get out to see the house, so at 2:30 I made Mark take me out to check on the progress. To our surprise, they had finished the painting and even made it 3-tone for me. They also had put in all the cabinets bases. All the doors were on in the bathrooms and laundry, but none in the kitchen.
The kitchen cabinets are select cherry with a dark glaze. I think once the doors are put on and the granite is installed the island color will come together with the cabinets - at least that's my hope. The laundry and bathrooms are knotty alder. It was so crazy to actually have the island to walk around and get a feel for what it will be like in our new kitchen. I cannot wait! I used some of my birthday money and bought a new broom and kitchen towels. I know it sounds pretty lame, but I am one happy lady!

With the second coat of paint, I decided I am pretty happy with the paint color. Up in the bonus rooms it is quite the contrast with all the strange angles in the roof lines. I didn't get any pictures of that for some reason.

Here's my attempt at trying to label in Photoshop. I realized the other day that I can't remember much of anything in Photoshop and need a refresher course! You'll have to click on the photo to see the kitchen layout better.


Kitchen


Laundry


Master bath


Upstairs bath - other than the master, all the other bathrooms have the same cabinets/countertops.

I was told that the lighting package was supposed to be delivered yesterday and that the counter tops were getting installed today. They worked on the kitchen and would be finishing up the bathrooms and laundry tomorrow. That's another story!! We are just hoping the coloring is good on this stock of granite. We didn't get in to see what is was looking like prior to installation and Mark had a dream the other night that it was installed and the granite was just ugly. Let's hope that's one dream that doesn't come true!

Our mantel guy is scheduled to be our there tomorrow to work on that and then they can put up the stone surround. Now all I need is some nice family to come rent our current home! We had a family come last night for a showing. They seemed to like the place. Who knows?!

This last picture is for my mom and anyone else who is willing to help me. This is a terrible photo, but work with me. This is our dinning area/breakfast nook. It has 4 windows and 1 door. The windows and the door are different heights. What I need are some suggestions on how to dress these windows. I would love your ideas.



And finally, this is me getting really excited about a garage door of all things!!

Moving in, busting in, and all the rest

Just trying to catch up on some of the latest out at the Erda house...

A few weeks ago Mark and I stepped out on the front porch to see how things looked out there and heard a strange sound above us. I just knew it was going to be a cat, because I hate them. To our surprise, it was a beautiful owl. It was just sitting there up in the rafters, where they had yet to put up the soffit and fascia.



On February 4, I got a call from Nancy that there were three kids trying to break into our house. Fortunately she scared them off before they got in or did any more damage. Long story short: I hope they realize what they have been doing is totally wrong and change their ways. And I hope we get a new door and door jam, they messed it up pretty badly.



Things are moving along pretty well. I keep wondering exactly how long before we are able to move in. Still not sure. It seems to get pushed back easily. If everyone had as large of a crew as the finish guys, they could get it done in no time. Apparently they came in with 5 guys and hung all the doors and put up all the baseboards, trim, and closets in two days.


Here's a look at the interior doors - two panel flat with an arched top.


French doors in the front living room. I think we'll place the piano in this room.


The stairs have wood endcaps on them. The railing is iron - two twists and one basket.


Shelving in the master closet.

The tile looks good. I really like the glass tile they used in the showers and tub surrounds - would love to have more glass tile backsplash in the kitchen. Maybe I can talk Mark into that after a while. Everything is rather dusty and dirty. Hard to see the actual color.


Master shower


Kitchen tile


Main bath and tub surround

I am hoping they are painting right now and then be able to get started on the cabinets. My lighting package is almost all here, and I am excited about what we ordered. Other than the ordinary bathroom and closet lighting, we were able to order some pretty fixtures. The carpet has been a headache and last night I had a heartattack that the color we ordered isn't the right one. I am not sure what to think anymore. Guess I'll be surprised to see what Dale the carpet guy installs and just be happy to have carpet, right?!


Septic tank is in the ground. It still needs to be connected to the pipes inside the house. And the electricity is seems to be running on the permanent line now.



I bought a small can of paint color to test on the Hardy board for the exterior. I think it will look okay with the brick. The trim will be painted to match the windows. This pic shows my sample painted piece and the small sample color of the windows and trim. Let's hope when it all comes together that my roof doens't look so green anymore.



Paint colors (I tried to place the actually colors here, but was struggling and I need to get back to my jobs - mom, you'll have to follow the links.)

Interior walls: Universal Khaki - went the cheap route and didn't pay to have different colors in different rooms. Did pay for the 3-tone paint though.

Interior trim: Creamy

Exterior Siding: Superior Bronze

Exterior Trim: Sandy Ridge

Rocking the House

They have all the sheetrock up and I just got some pics from Carolyn and Cordale. They are busy mudding and the flooring guy said they plan on laying tile next week. Even he said, "Pretty exciting, huh?" I can only agree.

Last night, after putting the boys to bed, Mark and I spent a couple hours working on the computer room. I keep wanting to put if off, especially that room. It is a big mess. Mark says we have to start there, everything else will be cake after that one. I am sure he is right. We found some pretty funny things while going through the filing cabinet and various totes. Ahhh the memories that live in this house. Taylorsville has certainly been good to and for our family.


Bonus room #1



Bonus room #2



Entry way



Great room



Kitchen

Brick. House.

Here are a few quick pics just for my mom, will post more with more details when I get another chance. I have a long list of items to mark off today....

When I got home from Marty's, Mark drove me straight to the Erda House to check out the sheet rock that had been hung. They did it all while I was in S.D. I also hadn't seen the brick they had put on, only the pictures my FIL had taken. So I was looking forward to seeing that too. We got an extra surprise when we found two guys working on the Hardie board. They had finished the south end of the house and were working around the back of the house. We opted to have it installed and then they will paint the board to our preference, so no this isn't our actually house color. That color I found on a home in South Jordan while picking up some bar stools off of the classifieds.


Aaron admiring the brick. I think the coloring in this pic is spot on.



Interior view - from the great room, looking into the kitchen area.



Looking forward to sitting in front of the fireplace with a cup of cocoa.



Looking above the kitchen, up to the loft area and two bonus rooms/plus a full bath and lots of storage.



Starting on the hardie board. It's looking pretty good.