Logs Arrive

The truck arrived bright and early on the 29th. The logs are now unloaded and stack strategically around the property. Don, our representative from the log supplier BPB, was on site today, helping the crew get the first few courses set. Only 13 more to go!

Decking Done

The decking is done! Looks good and it helps us visualize the extra living space we will gain. The back side looks like it could make a nice bowling alley (just don't suggest that to Jack). We have leftover lumber and Bill said that he could custom make our porch railing. We looked at his samples and they are nice, plus it would save money.
Logs are scheduled to arrive Tuesday, which means they will start setting them Wednesday or Thursday - can't wait!

Decking started

I think we picked the hottest and stormiest summer to build a house, but the guys are perservering. They finished up the porch framing and started laying the decking. They completed the dining room side and half of the backside. It looks like their materials are ready to go for tomorrow (and no rain is in the forecast). Bill said that the logs are set to arrive Tuesday (Jack's birthday-just what he wanted;)

Porch

The crew is currently working on framing up the wrap around porch. So far they have completed the front, garage side, and have finished most of the back side. The remaining side should be easy because it is fairly level with the ground, so no scaffolding. The decking should also go quickly. They anticipate being finished by the end of the week, which means logs are next!!!!

Covering up

The crew was busy again today. They put the OSB board along the framed walls of the basement and garage. Then they laid Advantek on the first floor joists, so now we can walk around and get a good mental image of the layout. They also began placing the posts for the front porch. Jack had a good day too. He discovered a toad (pictured below) and created a "river" in the back yard. He was fascinated with that and worked on it for over an hour. Oh, the simple things!

Floor

The first floor is well on its way to becoming a reality. The whole crew is on the job full-time now and they are moving quickly. Bill, his son Rob, and Rob's son, Daniel are hard at work putting up the floor joists. You can see the progression in the pictures. You can also see the opening for the stairwell to the basement. We're getting there!

Rooms

Framing up the basement continues to move along. You can actually tell there are two distinct rooms now. The wall dividing the garage and the family room is up, which makes it very easy to visualize the space. In the pictures, you can see the large beams are now in place. They are essentially going to support the whole house (along with some posts that will be added later). You can also see the 'view' out the family room door. The last picture is a visitor who stops by the job site almost daily, I guess for a little breakfast with the crew.

Framing Continues

Framing continued today with the exterior basement wall going up (the one opening is for a door). This means it is time for the subfloor to go up - yeah!

Framing

Framing has begun!! Here you can see the sill that was laid (with vapor barrier for you Pop - John was showing it off for you:) ). Next the garage doors went up. It is starting to look like a real basement. More to come soon (I hope).