Hall-elujah!: March 2011

For those that don't know, Dad and I designed every square inch of this house on his computer using CAD. Then Les and I took it to an architect where we worked with him for several months to get little details and the exterior decided. Then we went to a general contractor and great friend of Dad's and hired him to build it. We started designing on CAD and cutting down trees in September of 2009, deconstructing the old house already on the lot in Oct (including Les and I doing asbestos removal). By April and May, I moved into acquiring permits (this took a while, we have a septic system). And by June, we had a big hole. In July, we officially started building and we moved in, in January 2011. We are more than blessed in so many ways. I can't even begin to say how fortunate I feel.

Some of the cool things about the house... we had to cut down several 100 year old white oak trees, but Dad had a sawyer come and mill some of them into gigantic 12in by 12in by 20 foot beams. Les and Dad and I planed and sanded them and they are in the house in the dining room and the breakfast area. Les also made the mantel and corbels that help support it. The mantel is so heavy, the general was worried about it pulling over the entire wall that it is lag bolted to. We had to fortify the entire wall it is mounted to as well as below it in the basement. (Don't worry, you know if Dad is involved then it is definitely over engineered.)

Grant cut and hole punched all the steel ballisters on the deck by himself. Grant was also the one on the Bobcat skid steer whenever we were here cleaning up (which was every Saturday for 6 months).

Les also did all the low voltage wiring (security, central vac, speakers and sound system, phone and cable). Where ever we could save money, we did it ourselves.

Soon the exciting job of landscaping will begin. It sits on an acre and a third, so I don't think that I will run out of room for plants this time. At any rate, we are so greatful to be able to live here (did I mention it is right across the street from the elementary, middle and high school). Just thought I would share a few photos of what has been our life for the last almost two years.