Big Equipment, Trenches & Backfill

It was a fun week to stop by and check out the progress.  We got to see the trenches and the pipes - prior to the backfill.  We generally try to stop by every couple of nights when things are quiet, but occasionally we are able to go on a walk and see while things are in full swing!  Samuel and I try to make a point to do our "together" walk on Wednesday's when he finishes his assignments, and I am done with work, which has been fun.

Tonight we took Rachel and found that everything had been backfilled - no more big dirt hills!  We enjoyed roaming around and getting a sense for the yard area.  Rachel ended up looking like pig-pen (no idea how she does it...) but I love having the kids see all the build stages - and if they get dirty, then so be it.

Backfilled and now flat!

Foundation - CHECK

The forms were stripped on Thursday!  Joe and I enjoyed roaming around and identifying all the areas/rooms.  It will be really fun to watch everything progress.

Sounds like the backfill will begin next week, and then we should get the first draft of the cabinet drawings soon!  Looking forward to that! 👍

Foundation Pour!

Today was the day for foundation!  We were disappointed that we couldn't be there to witness much of it, but we were able to make a couple of stops.  And we were fortunate in that our new neighbor, Doug, let us know the trucks had arrived this morning - and he took some pictures for us this morning!  (How cool was that?!) 👍

Samuel and I were finally able to stop by during our lunch break, and then Joe and I visited after work.  I was bummed Luke & Rachel couldn't be there because I think they would have loved watching things unfold, but at least we got a bit of video.  It amazed me that they were already removing the forms at the end of the day!  

I have also enjoyed talking with the team from Parker Concrete about the process (their team has been so nice.)  Normally I am a hesitant to disrupt people (and also a bit shy about walking up and talking to people I don't know) - but so far, I have engaged and asked questions - and everyone has been SO nice to chat and share details.  (Doesn't mean they aren't thinking of me as the "crazy lady" who keeps annoying them, but at least they don't show it!)  😂

I never thought I could get quite so excited about concrete, but the process is pretty cool.  😊 And it is so fun to see this dream of ours actually taking shape!

Garage Door Entry

Forms already coming off today!

5/7: Friday Snippets (builder update)

Accomplished:

• Foundation set up

Next:

• Foundation inspection Monday (5/10)
• Pour foundation Tuesday (5/11)
• Strip foundation Wed-Thursday (5/12, 5/13)
• Start backfill next week (5/17)

Day 7 (Since Golden Shovel Day!)

It is so cool to see the dream becoming a reality...  It has been just 7 short days since we had our "Golden Shovel Ceremony" but in that short time, there has been lots of progress!  I find this part of the process so intriguing - just getting the measurements so exact with large equipment.  I wish I could be there to watch more - but will just have to appreciate the occasional updates/changes when I can.

The the forms are starting to get placed, as well as the vents.  So we can now get a sense for the space.  The kids enjoyed finding their rooms (and getting into other mischief, of course... the rule is that NO ONE has to be taken to the ER for a tetanus booster.)  😊

 I don't remember this much rebar ever being a part of our previous builds -- so that made us feel good.