Halloweeners

For Halloween this year Megan went as a Cowgirl, Jaden a Constrution Worker, Jordan as a Race Car Driver, an Austen was a Cowboy.

The two little ones always have such a hard time keeping up with the older kids so this year we let them drive their jeep(which was a gift from their cousin Michael).

Construction on hold

Construction has slowed with all the rain we received but here are some pictures of how far we are:

These two windows will be the two bedroom windows

The pictures make it look so tiny. Kevin, your room will be in little yellow house.

The basement walls are done but it has been too wet to poor the basement floor.

Things that go bump in the night

This morning I woke up and grabbed my towel and headed to the down stairs bathroom to take my shower. The house was dark and I was a little graugee. As I took the final down step I felt something under my foot. I was shocked that I had stepped on a toy since I thought things were all picked up the night before. I turned on the light only to find Jordan asleep on the bottom of the stairs. When we went to bed he was asleep in is bed.

Boys Watching

Jordan and Austen are often watching the builders through the window. As you can see the window got broken in the construction process.

She shoots, she scores...finally

Megan is in the red hat

Megan had her final soccer game of the fall season today and her Uncle Curt and Auntie Marti and cousins from the Twin Cities were there to watch. Megan has been rotating between both defense and forward all season and has been real close to scoring but just could not find the back of the net on any of her shots. She has hit the pole on several occasions but longed to get that one goal. Through out today's game she had some opportunities but came real close on another shot that hit the goal post. After the shot she fell back in disbelief of another near miss. With the game tied and time running out Megan got a shot from the top of the goal box and scored the game winner. The smile was larger than the goal itself.

Uncle Curt gives Austen the best seat in the house.

And the Wall Came Tumbling Down

Part of the project is to fix a problem wall that we have in the basement. The wall is starting to bulge in the middle so we are going to put in steel braces (studs) to stop it. This weekends project was to rip out the existing wall to the studs. My brother Curt was gracious enough to help me along with both of our kids (the wives were on a scrap booking weekend).

Here Megan helps ripe out some sheet rock.

We allowed the kids to do what they are never suppose to do: write on the wall. Here Megan and Morgan sign and draw creations before we took down the wall.

Jordan, Megan, Michael, Mathew, and Morgan create.

MUD

Well, rain has delayed our construction. They were suppose to have the walls done and everything cleaned up on Friday but the rain delayed them. Monday morning they came out and determined it was too muddy to continue. It has rained Tue and Wed so we are at a stand still with the outside work. As you can see we now have a large mud pit.

Any one up for some wrestling?

Forms Go Up

Since I am not a construction guy I am not sure of the right terminology but I think the wall forms went up.

Cement Time

It was time to bring in the cement.As you can see by the picture below Jordan and Austen's Jeep is always available if the workers need it.

Its amazing how they can get it into the back yard.

Big Step

If you now step out our back garage door this is were you would land. As you can see the digging is done.

Let the Digging Begin

Monday they started by building a temporary bridge over our front ditch so the equipment could get to the back yard.

Next the big equipment arrived.

And the digging began...
They took about 40 truck loads of dirt away.

1,2,...2639, 2640

Six years ago (almost to the day) I replaced the cement slab out our back garage door with a 18' x 22' patio made of patio bricks. It took about a week to accomplish and I finished as the snow flakes started to fall. We have enjoyed playing, eating, and having bonfires on the patio but unfortunately it now lies in the middle of our new kitchen. Saturday night we hosted a neighborhood bonfire as a farewell to our next door neighbors who we are going to miss as they move to the Western part of the state. So I had only Sunday to remove every one of the 2640 patio bricks.

Here is the patio before the demolition took placeJordan helped take out the bricks
Megan is way too happy at the beginning

Megan enjoyed driving the tractor

Even Jordan helped transport with his jeepAusten tried to help

And the Tree Came Tumbeling Down

We did it! After much debate over removing the large evergreen ourselves or hiring a professional to do it we decided to tackle it ourselves. Friday night Janelle's Dad, my neighbors Mike, Todd, Jamie, and myself successfully (without any injury or property damage) took down "Big Ben". As you can see we first trimmed it...

Attached guiding wires (just in case)

Cut it down and trim it with 3 chainsaws (its good to have friends with power tools).

And of course...toast our success with Red Eye.

It is nice to have such good neighbors and proves why we chose to add on instead of moving. All the neighborhood kids along with Megan, Jaden, Jordan, and Austen helped pick up branches and stack wood. We accomplished this task all within 2 hours.