Thursday, May 31, 2012

House Building - Week Four, Part 2

With so much changing quickly right now I wanted to get up there and take some more pictures this week.  Yesterday and today they completed the top level and it looks like they are now set to do the truss work tomorrow.  I will probably stop up there this weekend yet again.  Here are the pictures...
Front of the house, mostly sheeted.  You can start to see the truss work for the gable on the garage.

Side angle, the windows can now be seen on the stacked stairs.

Even clearer picture of the stair case.

Back view of the house, notice Heather and Anneli on the right!


Tuesday, May 29, 2012

House Building - Week Four, Part 1

I was able to drive by the build site tonight and was pleased to see the progress that had been made.  They are another level up and I'm guessing come tomorrow will have most of the upper level complete.  Here's the photos!




My favorite part of the house, my extra long garage stall!

From the garage looking into the mud room.

From the kitchen looking towards the living room and fireplace.

From the living room looking towards the office/playroom.

From the living room looking towards the kitchen.

The view from our bedroom.


From the back side of the yard, this is the side with more green space.

Thursday, May 24, 2012

Daytona Beach

This past week we spent in Daytona Beach, Florida.  It was the first airplane trip for both girls.  For the past few months Nora has been talking about airplanes, pools, and the big sandbox(beach)!  The full group consisted of Heather's parents, the girls, and Heather and I.

It was definitely a different vacation than we are used to.  Even with all of Dale and Carol's help there wasn't much rest and relaxation going on!  But regardless of the difficulties it was well worth it and even if the girls don't remember it we will and we'll be showing them the photos. 

Nora and Anneli did great on the plane, we had nearby people telling us our kids are angels!  I think at the start of the flight they saw two young kids and figured, "great, this will be fun".  The cutest part of the flight was when Nora always insisted on holding both Heather and my hands during takeoffs and landings.  I learned that it is possible to change diapers in an airplane lavatory!

Below are a bunch of photos from the trip to show you the fun and excitement along the way!

Heather and the girls napping.

Nora at the beach, at this point she didn't want to go near the water unless being held.

Nor

An 8 foot alligator sand castle we built.

Nora riding the alligator.

Anneli getting ready for her first swim.

Grandpa Dale with Heather and Anneli, Nora and Grandma Carol in the background.

Anneli's first swim!

Nora and mom enjoying the pool at the rental house.

Giggly girls.

Grandma and Anneli snuggling.

Family photo in the pool.  I'm also wearing a rash guard and someone didn't do a fantastic job of spraying sunscreen on my back.

Nora mini golfing for the first time.  Most holes she just walked the ball to the cup and put it directly in, she got a lot of hole in ones.

Watching Grandpa putt.

Nora loved watching the lizards.

Nora was captivated by the waterfall and bridge.

She was covering her mouth in wonder at the waterfall.

This photo didn't turn out but I thought it was too neat not to post.

Nora checking out the baby alligators.

A four foot sea turtle sand castle we built the day before we left for home.

Nora finally warmed up to the ocean, she loved going in the big rollers with daddy, we would jump up right before the waves broke on top of us.  Her expression and smiles were priceless.

Nora and daddy posing at the ocean.

After an unsuccessful nap we did some more swimming in the pool.  Nora literally fell asleep in my arms while running her hands through the waterfall between the hot tub and the pool.  That was a priceless memory!

Grandpa enjoying sitting poolside.
It was a great trip that proved to us that it is possible to travel with two kids, 2 years and 3 months of age.  Not easy but possible!

House Building - Week Three

We spent the last week in Daytona Beach with our daughters and Heather's parents.  When we got back this is how far they were on framing.  They would have been further but the weather has slowed them down some.

East side of house.


Close up of east side and stairs into the basement.

East side yard.

Basement via stairs.

North side of basement, basement framed.

Basement and back side of garage stall.

Basement from west side.

Inside basement looking north.
  

Garage and main level of house.

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

House Building - Week Two

The building continues.  Over the past few days they've poured the footings, poured the walls, and insulated and waterproofed.  Here are some photos to show the progress.

front garage footings

back and side footings

forms for walls

back footings

garage with poured and insulated walls

porch and front poured walls

looking down at front porch footings - about 6 to 8 feet down

garage floor and back walls

back wall to long garage stall

basement walls with drain tile

basement walls

front basement walls

front basement wall with drain tile and sump pump basket

sump pump basket in black, that is in the utility/storage room

basement west wall, that is the long garage stall

back yard

east side yard view

driveway, looking from the west