The walls are up!

Mother Nature was not as kind this weekend as the crew dodged raindrops on Saturday but got a lot done! The deck is started and that was an important obstacle to hurdle. Thanks to all who came out to help (Steve, Brian, Pops, Larry and a couple of the mongrels).

Sunday was a much better day. Steve and Tim came out to help. They did a great job!! We were able to get all of the walls up and part of the sheathing done as well. Thanks guys!



Pops going to town on the chop saw!











The crew works together to get the wall together!








And there she goes!








I'm figuring out the measurements of the last section of the final wall.







There she is. I'm pretty proud of what we have accomplished so far! Thanks again to all of our help!




This weekend is "the biggie". We have a lot we want to accomplish. I hope Mother Nature is kind to us. We would like to get the rafters and the roof on if possible. On Friday, I am going to the local Amish sawmill to pick up our wooden beams and tongue and groove flooring. We are really excited but really nervous that all goes well! Once again, everyone is welcome. We have lots of help coming and going this weekend, but there is always something for someone to do! So come out and enjoy a day in the country! See you there!

More progress...

On a weekend that felt like we lived on the equator, many brave men endured the summer heat to help with the cabin. The good news is that we did get a lot done. The bad news is that I'm not sure how many will ever come back and help!!

On Saturday, my Dad and I were able to build the front wall! My Uncle Larry and his crew of hard working mongrels showed up unexpectedly and we were able to get the first wall up!! What a milestone!



Go Scotty go!!!!!


On Sunday, Katie's family showed up to help. We were able to get a second wall up and install the deck piers. It was really hot and it took a lot of work, but I think in the long run, we will have a better product.




You can see the BigFoot pier system that we used. I had the excavator dig me big holes with his backhoe on saturday morning. That certainly saved some time!



This is how we had to get the water to mix the concrete. Joe is thinking right about now...."When are they getting that %&*$ well put in!"



Mixing concrete 1800's style. Good thing we only had to mix 45 sixty pound bags.



This photo shows the result of a lot of hard work from a lot of helpful family members!! Thanks also to our wonderful catering staff!!

Next week we hope to get the other walls up and get the deck put together. Feel free to stop by and check things out!! (Just throw a pair of work gloves in the trunk...just in case!)

Walking on sunshine!!!

The floor joists and subfloor are in! I was not planning on being at this point yet, but according to the excavator, I needed to get this part done before he backfilled the foundation. I am actualy glad because we finally got to pound some nails into some wood!

We had some great help come out this weekend with my Dad, Tim and a friend of mine Mike. Joe and Steve came out and helped too!

Next week we hope to get the deck up and then the following week the rest of the walls!! Stay tuned!!



We used engineered I-beams for our joists. They went in really easy!!



Just wanted to show Sturman that I do actually do some work!!!

Foundation is in!

The foundation is in and we are ready to move forward. Once the excavator back fills everything and grades the site, we are on our own! That is good news because then we can move on our own timeline.





In some of the pictures, you can see the gentleman that we hired to put the foundation in. His name is Leonard. He has been doing this type of work for a long time. I measured the building to see if it was "square". To do this, you measure diagonally from both corners. The measurements were only off by less than one half inch. That is good! The key to a well built structure starts with the foundation. Click on the pictures to see them larger.



Our first picture as a family in front of our soon to be cabin!





I think next week I want to get the posts in for the deck and then the week after possibly get the floor in and then build the deck! All my volunteers please get ready to get to work. Looks like the last few weeks in July might be busy! This is a little earlier than expected, but that is good! Gives us room for error!

Feel free to leave comments and call me with any questions or suggestions! See y'all soon!