Let's take it from the top

Our framers took a little break from framing our house last weekend, but starting Monday it was full steam ahead. They started putting on the trusses and it was amazing how our house is taking shape. The only problem is that it just looks SO BIG!! I didn't think it looked so big compared to the other houses in the neighborhood until they put on the trusses which added about 10 feet and now it is officially a "Monster House", which is what we've been calling it for months. Our neighbor wants to know when we are going to put on the Las Vegas Luxor beacon on top. I don't think we will go that far. The only thing hanging up finishing up the framing now is that, as a typical woman, I have changed my mind about the area above our garage. We had originally thought that the area above the garage had a bedroom over it. But once they started framing, it didn't. So I am working with the architect and city to add a closet and bathroom in that area. The bathroom will be in Maren's room, so she will have her own bathroom. Now I know what you are thinking. She is only 18 months and cannot even use the bathroom, but she will appreciate it when she is older. My niece said that it will come in handy when I am putting her down for a nap or to bed at night, and I get that urge to use the restroom, I won't have to go very far. So true.

Spring Fever

The Walker Family is especially glad that the sun is beginning to shine and the flowers are starting to bloom. There is just something about spring that makes you happy and makes you want to be outside. Here are a few pictures of our family enjoying the weather. Also here is a pictures of Logan when he lost his tooth. We also had my brother and his wife and baby come up this past weekend and it was great to see them. We even got to play some cards against them (we won!!). We hate to see them go home, especially when we don't know when we will see them next. We miss you guys!!!

Up Up and Away

It has only been 3 days and they have already got the bottom floor completed and part of the main floor. It is fun!! The only downside is that when we started this project we didn't realize that my mom will lose her view of the mountains from her bay window when our new house goes in (our house is back a little further). So by tomorrow her mountains will be gone. "I'm so so sorry mom." She has asked that we paint a mural on the side of our house that we update with the seasons. So if you come see our new house and wonder why we have a large picture of mountains on the side, now you will know.

We've been Framed!!

We have officially been framed!! Well at least our house is. They started yesterday and I can't believe (again) how fast it is going up. They almost finished our basement in 1 day. Today they are starting on the basement ceiling and the main floor. It is totally exciting to see our dream coming true. There is just something about having walls that helps you better visualize the entire project.

Totally Floored

Well they poured (concrete) our basement floor and garage today. Having never seen anybody pour such a large slab of concrete, it was interesting to watch them use brooms to smooth the top and get out any rocks. They did a really nice job. When our house was just a big hole in the ground it didn't look very big, but just having concrete in the bottom makes it look much bigger (at least to me). It is really starting to take shape.

Damp Proof and Backfill

Another thing I didn't know (until I read Deveri's "how to build a house book") was that your foundation needs to be damp proofed. So this week we had the foundation sprayed with a black substance that keeps out moisture. Cool!! We also had them put in our window wells. If you've built a house lately you know that they have to be huge with the new codes (so people can climb out in case of a fire). They also did the backfill this week. It was amazing what a difference it makes to have the dirt put back and not left as a huge pile in the front yard.