Windows!

So we had ordered windows and the original plan was to have my Nick, Nate & Joe come back to install them but they are pretty busy (Good for them!) and Tom was just itching to install them. Since we are just a*little* bit smarter from the whole Tyvek experience, we decided to rent a boom lift again and we can install the windows and get the trim boards up at the same time. Piece o' cake, right?

We set up a painting station in the garage to spray the trim boards. Neighbor, Austin, came over to help run the saw.

And this is what the finished windows and trim look like on the craftroom windows! We decided on the 6" trim over the 4" that had originally been spec'd. I'm really happy with how they turned out.

It's hard to tell with just the tyvek on but when we get the contrast of the siding, that trim is going to pop!

Here is the front of the house with the trim done on all the upper windows while we had the lift.

Now let me tell you about 84 square feet of windows... The three upper windows in the living room are 4' wide by 7' tall. That's 28 square feet per window. Double paned and heavy as hell! I'm sure that I can speak for Tom when I say that we are most proud of those. I was sure that first one was going to crash on the ground 20 feet below us. But we figured it out and the other 2 went in much easier. I can't help but feel a sense of accomplishment when I look at those windows.

Fabulous friends and family...

Alright, I seem to be having some major problems with my computer but I've gotten even more major grief for not posting so here is the post that has been giving me fits since SEPTEMBER! I can't move the pictures at all or add to them but here it is as of the end of September...

Ok, let me first give a big ol' shout out to our wonderful helpers. First, nephew Matt came out on Saturday with his beautiful 4 month old daughter, Aubrey. The girls and I had a great time playing with the baby while Tom and Matt got the first row of Tyvek in place.

Aubrey Lynn Brown. Isn't she beautiful???

9' x150' rolls of Tyvek cover quite a bit of real estate! We figured the ladders would be sufficient for putting up Tyvek since it's light, right?

So the next day, Sunday, my mom & dad, brother Matt & Andria, friends: Jeff, Tami, Allie & Karson all came to put up the rest of the house wrap. It was the rainiest day of the weekend. We had to keep going in to wait out the downpours. I send out my heartiest and most sincere thanks for all your help. The guys legs were shaking after being at the top of 24-28' ladders and we were all getting gray hairs worrying about them. But they got the bulk of the house wrap up and secured. Tami came back out on Monday (Labor Day) to help hammer the cap nails in.

Roofing & House Wrap

So James and his buddy, Josh, finished up the final touches on the roof Monday evening. It looks fabulous from my perspective. I guess the real test will be next time it rains. Shouldn't have too long to wait around here... The next step is house wrap(Tyvek). That's where you come in... :-) We would like to invite any and all of you who would like to swing a hammer stapler to come help us put on the vapor barrier on the weekend of September 5 & 6 and also the following weekend of September 12 & 13. Please drop us a line if you can make it!

Front porch roof.

End of garage. Long roof in left of picture is over front porch.

North end of house. Window is in master bath.

The backside party zone. woo-hoo!

End of the Rainbow

I KNEW this was what I'd find at the end of the rainbow! Look! Both ends!!

Tom & Titan, then & now

Oh my goodness, came across this picture from May 30, 2009 of Tom and Titan...

And this one from this morning, August 26, 2009. What a difference 3 months makes!

Backpacking with Dad

So I suppose I should let Tom and/or Amanda recount their tales of adventure from Amanda's first overnight backpacking trip but I was taking pix off the camera and had to share! They can fill you in on the details when they have time. I did hear that Titan was a very good boy though...Amanda & Titan. I think I would kill to have legs that long...

Tom & Amanda on the trail!

BREAK

The weather is pleasant, and I made a promise to Amanda that I have to keep before school starts. So Sandi and Hailey are going shopping, and Amanda and I are going on a short back pack trip in the North Cascades. Just one night, and no plumbing along the trail. I'll get back on it after the weekend, I promise!