House: Enclosed

In a matter of just a couple of quick weeks, we are happy to see our house take shape, while my head spins at all that has been accomplished.  Our schedule has truly worked like a well-oiled machine thanks to Tanner's organizational skills, and the dedicated work from our contracted help.  In just two weeks, we were able to get all of the slab preparation done, including radiant heat tubing and post supports dug and framed for deck posts, pour the slab, continue sealing the outside of the foundation in order to back fill dirt, first floor of the house framed in, and floor laid in the second story of the house.  It has been a task just to keep up with all of the progress in pictures, let alone write about it, but we are so excited that things are going smoothly.  In the meantime, we have been slowly making arrangements in the yurt for winter weather, while also preparing beams and other materials for the house.  Temperatures have dropped, and snow is prominent on the forecast this week, so time is running out!  So much for planting fall bulbs-I'm out of time!

Tanner, digging a hole for the deck post support

 Tanner and Kyle, proving that they make a good team in their efficiency and attention to detail.  Tubing for radiant floor heating was stapled into the insulation layer in preparation for the pouring of the slab.

 On the day the slab was poured, we had a great crew of people to help, thankfully, as I was scheduled to work.  I missed out on all the action, and with Tanner being busy working, this is the lone picture of the slab pouring:

Jerry, smoothing out the concrete

 It's all good.  When I arrived home, Tanner, Jerry, and Kyle were having their evening pow wow beer.  I figured it was just a good sign that all went well!  That evening, we layered straw onto the fresh concrete and laid a tarp over it, to protect it from extreme temperatures and moisture while it finished curing.  Kyle stayed until dark, spreading concrete sealant on the foundation of the house.  This step is to ensure that we won't have potential leaking in the basement once we refill dirt back against the house.

 Kyle, English teacher, raft & hunting guide, ski patrol/avalanche expert, and King sludge spreader.  Kyle spent the better part of three or four days (he'll have to correct me if it was more) in the trench, spreading an acrylic/concrete mix onto the foundation.  I did not miss out on this chore myself, I helped Tanner spread goo for a few hours last Saturday night.  It isn't a fun chore, but he did it with conscientiousness and no complaints.  Thanks Kyle, you're a champ!

the trenches

Mother Nature, smiling on us for a days work done well

Tanner, working through the sunset

Deck posts, filled with concrete and ready for beams

Spreading straw on the fresh slab

The following day, with concrete still curing, we had most of our house beams delivered.  We had Jardy return with his bobcat to help unload all of the beams from the truck.  Thankfully we had one skilled driver in Jardy, we weren't too impressed with the guy delivering beams.  He bombed up our road, worried he wouldn't make it, and took out one of our trees.  In the scheme of things it isn't a big deal, and one wasn't made, but he wasn't real impressive.

Jardy and Truck driver

Jardy, unloading beams

It's our house!

beams, ready to be raised

Poor tree :(

The following week, we were set to start framing the inside of the house, and the guys sure did well by us.  Jerry brought up his machine and filled in the front of the house so he could drive the machine in to haul and raise the beams.

Jerry and Isaak, prepping a beam

Jerry, hauling beams

Getting things situated

By Thursday, the floor trusses were set...

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 Floor laid on Friday!

In a matter of a couple of weeks, we have a dry and enclosed area within the house.  I am amazed at how fast it is going lately, and Tanner is working harder than ever to have the details ready for our workers when they arrive each morning.  He has spent a few nights working into the wee hours of the morning preparing beams and beam plates for their installation the following day.  Tanner is holding up nicely, and while working to the stage of silliness, he is taking it all in stride and really enjoying himself.  I have stayed busy doing small chores with the yurt and keeping Tanner fed and happy.  We try to remember to slow down enough to soak in the beauty that October brings to our neck of the woods with the colors changing as fast as the weather.  I pinch myself daily, as I look around at all we've accomplished, and I gasp at the visions I get of our future home as things come together.  As my friend Del always says:  It's a good life we are living!!
More updates on the yurt soon!!
Cheers!