Beam 1 of 2 in (10/30/13)

We have to put in 2 beams along the ceiling in order to take out the load bearing walls.  We got one in today!  Now that this is in we were able to take out the old 2x4's that were supporting the ceiling before so it seems a lot more open.  The other is a little more complicated because we have to put in footings for it downstairs.

Mike started the sheetrock on the ceiling in the dining room, got a whole 1 sheet up.... but it's a start!

And of course a few little cuties carved pumpkins tonight!  It's so nice having so much more space!!

Taking out Bathroom Window (10/29/13)

Today Mike took out the bathroom window that was in the shower.....yes I said in the shower, I don't know why anyone would think its a good idea to put a window in the shower???  He also stripped off the insulation from the outside of the old wall of the house.  Getting ready to put in one of the 2 beams that need to be put up in the ceiling.

Bye Bye Chimney (10/28/13)

Today we took out the chimney!  It was in the hallway next to the bathroom, so it opened up the hallway just a little more!

Mike put up a little more sheetrock in the master bedroom.  Outside walls are done now!

Feelin' Spoiled! (10/27/13)

Today we got the rest of the bigger sections of siding done!  Now all we have left is the sections that curve around the trim.  These of course are just a little more time consuming.  

After using our ghetto temporary steps for a few months Mike finally built the new steps!!  I feel completely spoiled with the new steps....they are so normal :)  

Cutting boards for the new steps!

Boys in the dirt :)

Girls play in dirt too!

Of course there is never enough time in the day so Mike worked into the dark evening!

Time for another wall to come out!!  We took out the wall from Kate's old room into the living room!  So now we just have the area where the steps are breaking up the openness in the house.  The steps will not come out until we have the new stairs built.

Before & After

DeMoLiTiOn! (10/25/13)

Today was the start of opening up the upstairs!!  YAY!  We moved Kate into our old bedroom and started tearing apart her room!  It was a little sad since it involved one of the kids rooms!  We've only moved away from other kids rooms, never painted over or tore apart one of their rooms.  I just have to think about how nice their new rooms will be to get through this transition!  

We took out the back wall in Kate's room that backs up to the addition which is awesome since now we have a larger space to get in there.  We also took out the section of wall going right into the kitchen; this was open when we bought the house so it was a little surreal and felt like yesterday that we put that wall in!  

Kate's new temporary room

Let the demo begin!

Before & After

After

Mike also put the header board on the side door and we started getting the trim cut for around the door.

Closet Framing Finished (10/24/13)

Today Mike finished framing the closets in the entry way and office.  We have to have all of our framing inspected so we are not able to cover it with sheetrock right away but he was able to put it on one side so you can still see the framing from the other side.  So at the least the wall will look somewhat normal from the living room side.

Uh oh it won't fit under the fan!  He got creative and made it fit!

Mike also put up some sheetrock on the wall in the master bedroom.

Master Bedroom Ceiling Sheetrocked (10/23/13)

Tonight Mike got the ceiling in the master bedroom sheetrocked.

Closet Framing & A Start on the Sheetrock (10/22/13)

Today Mike got one of the walls of the entryway and office closets framed up.  

Insulating the wall

Entryway closet and back side of office closet

Mike started on the sheetrock in the back bedroom.  Wow this lift is going to work slick, couldn't imagine doing it without it!

No ladder required...cause he's freakishly tall ;)

One up....a lot more to go!

We also had our rain garden inspected today which looked good - one more thing checked off this list!

Today Jonah turned 2!!  He's such a sweet little thing, I'm sure he won't remember all this craziness but I'm sure he will like it when it's done!