Windows and Doors

Our home has taken on a whole new perspective after today's milestone. Windows were installed last week which really added some incredible dimension to the space. But, today, probably one of the COOLEST accesories to our home was installed. The Fleetwood Glacier 16' wide x  10' hight (approx) sliding glass door (with an 8' opening) was installed. You can not possibly imagine the impact this door has on the space until you see it in person. Our 6'8" electrician, Brian, seemed almost miniature next to the door. Thank you Steve and Eric for encouraging (rather effectively, may I add) us to purchase this door over the "other."

In the following photos, you'll notice that siding has begun. I don't want to discount that task, because that too is HUGE, but I will pursue that further over the next few days.

Large living room window

Corner window in the kitchen

Completely AWESOME (in size and coolness factor) sliding door

From the back

Major Milestones

It's only Wednesday, and several milestones have been reached just this week.

Concrete was poured in the basement yesterday and will be sealed this afternoon. Windows are being installed today. Wait until you see the corner window in the kitchen. Absolutely gorgeous! And, if that wasn't enough, the exterior of the garage is being waterproofed and furring strips (lie perpendicular to and directly under the cedar siding) are being installed. See the photos below of all of the progress:

Concrete floor in the process of curing

Waterproofed garage exterior with furing strips

Outside of Liv's bedroom window

Children at play (from the stairwell)

Busy Weeks

It's been some time since my last post. So much has happened.

Framing is complete. The roof was installed. Insulation and rebar were installed on the basement floor, to prepare the space for radiant heat and concrete. The Mad Scientist, Mike, spent all day on Saturday staining 65% (he claims he would've completed the job should he have had more "special stain juice.") of the upper box siding boards. It looks super cool! The stain for the cedar siding on the garage was decided. Doors have been purchased. Windows have been purchased and will be installed in about a week and a half.

In the coming weeks, we will reach several major milestones. Siding and windows will be installed. The 16' sliding glass door will also be installed. The basement floor will be complete. The garage will be prepped for it's concrete pour. Our new decks (front and back) will be built. The list goes on. Stay tuned!

New torch-down roof

Front bumpout storage (our neighbors suggested that it would be a great house for Bohdi)

Back bumpout storage

North view with the roof and the bubble sky light

Mad scientist's meticulous placement of the upper box loft stained boards

Basement floor insulation with rebar

Letting the Pictures Speak for Themselves

I'm a woman of few words this morning, which is why I'm posting the following photos and leaving it at that:

Garage

View to the loft

Sun shining thru the skylight

View to master bedroom

We're Baaaaaack!

We've been back from vacation for only 3 days, and yet, I'm ready for another one. The best part of our return was seeing all of the progress on the house.

Framing is complete and walking through the space that will ultimately be our front door, felt almost surreal. There was the completed loft. The 18ft ceilings. The recessed build-out of our media area. The 670sq foot garage. Stairs running upstairs and down.

Took some photos today:

Framed roof with the sloping details for appropriate drainage

Modern Technology is Fantastic!

Thanks to the photos shared by our contractor Bob thru email to us, we share with you the following eye candy (from sunny Arizona). We didn't want you to think we were neglecting you while we're on vacation. Enjoy!

View from back of home (newest addition, the garage, on the right)

View from the deck to the garage

Today I Feel....

Eli has this great book titled, "Today I Feel Silly" whose lesson is about having different feelings, and being OK with those feelings.

Today I feel......excited, tired, overwhelmed, happy, among others. Excited for our trip to Arizona (a slight diversion from our generally crazy life). Tired--does it really need an explanation???? Overwhelmed, because besides managing pertinent house details before we leave for our vacation (lighting plan, upstairs heat source, kitchen, etc), I have to pack our entire family for 2 weeks away, package valentine's for Eli's class, make cookies, find time to exercise....the list continues. Happy because LIFE IS GOOD!

Over the last week the building crew has made some HUGE strides in the progress of the home. Temporary stairs were built for ease of movement, the loft space was framed (master bedroom, bath and closet), rafters were installed for the roof, the skylight was cut, etc. We've ordered the super cool 16 ft sliding door. Electricians and plumbers (for basic plumbing needs and radiant floor heating) are being called. Mike, the mad scientist has defined the measurements of the ingredients that make up the stain for the exterior wood.

Here are just a few pictures for all of you "visual" people out there (like myself):

The mad scientist testing his latest stain experiment

Temporary stairwell

View from master bedroom to rafters

Master closet

View from Master bedroom to bathroom and closet

Skylight above stairwell

Corner view with rafters