Landscape Rock Cleaned up (8/30/16)

We had leftover landscape rock that went inside the window wells.  Mike put some in the 2 small windows in the downstairs family room and put the rest in Jonah's back window.

He fixed the vent pipe for the furnace up on the roof.  It was pointing straight down and needed to be changed to go at an angle instead, in case of snow build-up.

There has been a hole in the ceiling above Kate's bed since her room has been finished for access to some gas pipes.  Mike was able to find a nice flush door to put on it.

He also finished putting all the door stops on...checking little things off the list!!

Evan's Egress Window Finished (8/29/16)

Tonight Mike finished putting dirt around Evan's egress window, rock in the bottom, trim around the window, and a blind hung on the inside.

Evan's Egress Retaining Wall Finished (8/28/16)

Today Mike finished the retaining wall in Evan's front egress window.  We still need to fill in some dirt around it and put more wood chips in.  Then Mike will put rock in the bottom and trim around the window to finish it off.

More Progress on Retaining Wall in Egress Window (8/23/16)

Tonight Mike got the rest of the retaining wall done in Evan's front egress window except for the top cap.

We debated adding another row, but realized it blocks the view from inside too much, so that brick on the top left will go

I came across this card from our realtor today.  Although 2011 didn't feel like this house was a brilliant decision, 2016 sure does!  

Evan's Room is Done! (8/22/16)

Today I sanded Evan's room and painted it.  Mike put up the trim and wired up some outlets. And we got him moved in!  It turned out so cute!  I love all the light the new window added.  Feels so good to have it done!

All moved in and happy with the new room!

Downstairs Bathroom Done! (8/21/16)

Today I painted the walls above the tub surround in the bathroom downstairs and Mike put in the new shower head.  

Mike got a few more rows done on the retaining wall in Evan's egress window.

I finished mudding the walls in Evan's room so they are ready to be sanded and painted.

Downstairs Bathroom Sheetrock Sanded & Ceiling Painted (8/19/16)

Today I sanded the sheetrock above the tub surround in the bathroom downstairs.  I also painted 3 coats of paint on the ceiling.

Evan's Egress Window Wall Started (8/11/16)

Tonight Mike started the wall in Evan's egress window well.  He got the base layer done which is the hardest and the second row.

Sheetrock up in Evan's Room (8/9/16)

Tonight Mike got the sheetrock put in up in Evan's room; and I started taping and mudding.

Evan's Egress Window in (8/7/16)

Today Mike took out Evan's old window, cut the hole for the new window, framed the opening for the new window, and put in the new window.

Old window is out

Block is cut for new size window

New window in

Sheetrock cut for new window

We cut out more sheetrock to make mud seam easier

Digging out Evan's Egress Window (8/6/16)

Today we dug out the dirt for the new egress window in Evan's room.  

Evan's Room Trim "Prep" (8/6/16)

Tonight we planned on putting the base trim in Evan's room.  We knew there was a little mold right behind the old trim that was still in there and we were going to have to cut it out.  Well when we started cutting we could see there was more on the backside of the sheetrock, so we just kept cutting until we got it all.  We ended up emptying everything out of the room knowing we would need to do sheetrock work which would create a dust mess so Evan would need to "move" out until it's done.  Evan is now shacking up with Kate, which of course they LOVE!  Highlight of the summer :)

So now that the room is emptied out and we are doing sheetrock work in there, this appears to be the perfect time to put in the 2nd large egress window!  This is an item that is on "the list" that Mike strongly said will stay on the list, funny thing is-it was his idea to put it in now, ha!  It's definitely something that we wanted to do but knew it would be a big undertaking and mess.  Now seems like the perfect time :)  Nothing else planned for the weekend and the weather couldn't be better. We already have the window so we will have to dig out more dirt since the window is much larger than what is currently there; build the retaining block wall like all the other egress windows have; cut the block wall to fit in the new window; frame in the new window and install it; and then more sheetrock around the window.  Definitely a lot of work, but it will look so nice in Evan's room!

Old window that will be removed, new will be twice the size

Downstairs Bathroom Trim (8/4/16)

Tonight Mike finished putting the base trim in the bathroom downstairs.  

Awhile back we decided that we were going to tile the wall above the tub surround downstairs and the ceiling above it because the ceilings are low.  We figured water would splash up there when showering and didn't want to take the chance of it getting damaged.  So when we finished the bathroom I didn't finish mudding that area and didn't paint it in anticipation for the tile.  Fast forward a couple years and I've changed my mind on the tile that I want up there.  We tried to return the tile that we already bought and the store won't return it since we don't have the receipt and they no longer carry it.  So for now we've decided not to tile at all; kids are short at this point and mostly take baths, if in the future it becomes a problem we can tile it then.........so that means the wall and ceiling need to be finished and painted.  Nooooooooo, I have to mud again!!  I didn't see myself having to mud again this soon, but here I am :)  Excited for a finished bathroom though!

So now that the AC is fixed, other things must break right!?!?!  Today I hear water dripping in the storage room downstairs, open the door and yep the floor is all wet and water is pouring from the ceiling.  The water valve on one of the water lines going to the bar sink in the dining room broke and was spraying water inside the cupboard.  The cabinet was soaked and the water was pouring downstairs.  Luckily Mike was already on his way home from work and he told me how to turn off the water.  Thankfully it went into the storage room which does not have a finished ceiling or carpet or trim and it was in the middle of the room only splashing plastic bins, so nothing was ruined.  Mike was able to replace the valve and we got everything dried out.  I tell ya it's always something!!  Hoping for things to go smooth and we have a productive weekend!