And it Don't Stop

Progress on the house is happening faster than I can post about it.  Rough electrical is in, plumbing has begun, windows are in, and so is the tub! Insulation is up this week and then the roof.  Ridiculous progress.

What. A. Weekend.

I always say this is my favorite trip of the year with Chris.  It's the end of the school year for me, the beginning of summer, and this trip it was the beginning of our timber frame build.  Progress at the land has been incredible and unstoppable.  The weather this weekend was just about perfect and it was memorable, for sure.

Arriving late Friday night, we were able to put on some headlamps and walk through the timber build to see the updates on progress.  It blew our minds.  Siding and roofing!  We were even able to get on the 2nd floor roof deck.  Our uncles, Randy and Cab, rode their motorcycles down for a visit.  It was Cab's second visit to the land and Randy's first, and things had changed a lot since Cab's last visit.  It was great showing them the process and future ideas and getting their feedback.  Saturday, we also picked out brick for the exterior of the chimney and met with the kitchen designer and started putting the pieces together there as well.

Sunday, we got breakfast (and lunch), cleaned up at the cabin, and headed for the lake.  We spent the day on the lake, relaxing, swimming, and dreaming of the future when the timber frame is complete. We want it to be done so soon so that we can use it more, but at the same time we're relishing every step of the project. I think there will be many more trips to the land in the coming weeks.  Progress is fast and doesn't look to be slowing down.  It doesn't get any better than this.

All Framed Up

Not much to say here.  Just sit back, relax, and and let the magic happen.  House should be wrapped with windows in by Friday.  Chris and I are headed up for our big spring/summer trip.  This one should be good!

There's Nothing Better Than a Successful Erection

Am I right?  

Today was big.  Really big.  Monumental.  The day we have been working toward for the last six years.  Today was amazing.  

I arrived at the cabin early in the morning.  Chris came up last night, so I woke him up as Bruce and his crew pulled in, ready to erect the timber frame.  A few minutes later the crane arrived and before long, beams were going up.  It happened fast too.  We were blown away all day long as the crews worked together, piecing the timber frame together for the first time ever...and every piece fit perfectly.  

It took almost all day, but it got done.  Bruce and his crew will be back tomorrow to make sure everything is level and to drill for more pegs.  Then, Sheldon and his crew of five guys arrive Monday to frame and move toward getting the house wrapped and the windows in.  Sheldon plans to move fast; he said the roof should be on in two weeks and the exterior should be done by July 1st.  I hope he's right.

Sitting on the floor of the house with the timber frame above us (and many of the posts cut from our own land) was incredibly satisfying.  So many people have helped get us to this point.  But today was big.  Nothing (not the electricity, not the well, not the driveway) beats today.  One for the ages.  Chris and I are back up next weekend for my favorite trip of the year. Can't wait.