The front wall is back and 1st floor almost done

Hall

the living room

In one week we have ripped up the front of the house and replaced it completely! I can't believe how fast it is going. I am so happy about the new addition to the house we now have a bigger and better laundry room! It will also double as the pantry, I know its not that exciting to you guys but the ladies know. The floor joists and the stairs are going up for the upstairs now. Its starting to get very dangerous for the kids to be around over there not to mention the big drop off into the basement thats the picture of the drop off.

The new front of the house
and the back

The yellow beam is the load bearing beam

the kitchen and living room--------------- laundry room-------------- stairs

Tin going up!

We put most of the tin on the barn this weekend. We had a lot of help Bo,Phill Slate, Daddy, Nathan(my Brother), Jacob, Shane, Chris, and me. I guess the hard part was getting started and knowing where and how to lay the first piece ,that's where Phill helped out. once we got a system we were on a roll.

Phill also helped out with handy clamps to get it on the roof, Andy went and got some that night . We tied the clamps to ropes and clamped the tin one at each end (that was Brandy's idea) then pulled the tin up over the edge. We were so happy to get a whole side finished Saturday.Andy had to slide down the tin with a rope tied to him for the last piece, that's the picture of him laying down . Sunday Bo and Andy worked on the other side they did 9 sheets and a ridge cap I helped clamp the tin on the ground. I am just so thankful for every one's safety I will be so relieved when this roof is finished 16 feet is really high! Thanks again for all the help guys we could not do it without you!


As we were loading up we all stood around the little radio and listened to the TN vs AL game it was close Al. won they blocked the extra point I think. Nate and Bethany who live in Alabama both wore their TN shirts. They said they had to wait till they got to TN to stop and eat lunch on the way up here.

out with the old....

A lot can happen in a few days, we started pulling up the floor in the front room and found weak floor joists and bad wood.Now we have removed the front of the house and the roof so the only part of the house that was old is going to be the far left corner you can see the difference in color. Not even all of that section will stay. We are still very excited about just keep us in your prayers it is a very stressful time. We plan on putting the tin on the barn this weekend if anyone wants to help come on down.

We Have Walls!

Andy in the soot mess

bathroom & master bedroom walls

We are getting more walls as I write this!

Saturday we all were there working with the framers and Andy helped put our bedroom wall up! That was really neat, the whole process is amazing we tell them where we want a wall and they build it right then and there. Some of these pictures were taken Saturday with just outside walls and some were taken Monday after they worked Sunday and built several interior walls. I never

knew building a house would be so much fun. Sharing it with all of you is

half the fun! I didn't take any pictures but we knocked down the last chimney Saturday.I have never seen so much black soot and it got everywhere! I had it all over my face the kids looked like little cats their noses were black! Thank goodness Casey had Katie Ann or she would have jumped in it... poof! When I washed my hair that evening black water ran off my hair. I hope that is the last big mess, I know that's not true but let me hope.

Camping At Dale Hollow Dam

We took our last trip of the season this weekend. We came down on Saturday morning early. My Mom,Dad,Aunt Dalia, and Cousin Keith came to visit Keith and Dalia are from Ohio. Pawpaw and Keith took the kids fishing. It was pretty chilly so mama and Dalia stayed by the fire with me at Nana's campsite Andy was washing the camper so we couldn't sit over there. We spent most of the trip by the fire at Nana's looking at magazines I am trying to get ideas for the house. Andy and Alec went squirrel hunting Sunday, Jacob got the most squirrels so he gets his name on the trophey 2 yrs in a row! We took a boat ride on Monday to an Island they found on their hunt where someone has built a log cabin it was neat. We actually went to see the fish hatchery something we hadn't done in years, that was really interesting. All the days start to run together so I can't remember what day we all went to dinner at the catfish place but that was fun. It rained Wednesday the day we left that makes it easier to leave but when we pulled out with the camper Katie Ann said, " No don't leave". We all had fun and looking forward to next season.

Barn Perlins

Spidy Bo!

Saturday we had a great day working on the barn! Bo, Jacob, Brandy,Casey and Josie too. We all had fun watching although it made me very nervous!They put all the perlins on in one day, that is the wood the metal screws to. Great job guys! We had a great time on the ground we had a fire to roast hot dogs and apple pie for dessert.Chad came by when he got up and hopped up there on the roof to help too. Before the day was over we had quite a party with pizza delivered for dinner.

Brandy and Casey took Beth and Katie Ann shopping for winter clothes, and we needed it that evening! Bill's Jason dropped by it was good to see him. Kyle had to work or he would have been up there too. Chad's Lesa came and sat with us Katie Ann calls her "other Lisa". Thanks for every one's help and for just keeping us company. We love and appreciate you all.

Footers

Friday it was finally dry enough to pour the footers! The kids loved to watch, it was very impressive. We had a little problem with the bridge the pipe split and caused a hole but the guys put a piece of metal over it and poured some concrete over it. I am so amazed by their ability to improvise. When life gives you lemons.... I don't want to make any more lemonaid but if we have to we will.