Return from AK

He's finally home! Jake had a blast in Alaska this September. He loves the wilderness and all the joys of hunting. He had wonderful hunters and luck with the big game. I'm so relieved he's home safe now. Picking him up from the airport is my favorite day of the whole year! It's 10x better than Christmas.

Once he was home we caught up all day and just relaxed. It's so nice to have him all to myself again. We had the whole weekend to be together and do whatever we wanted. We went out to dinner, to the new house, baby blessing. When he saw the progress on the house he was so excited. They finished the exterior while Jake was gone.

Airport 9.24.09

Jake and Rodrigo with moose

Jake, Rodrigo and Chris with Griz

Jake and Dave with moose

Jake and Chris fishing

Maily Watson

It was back to the grind Friday and Saturday. We picked up the tile and wood floor and got to work. Jake and I had the mud room and both bathrooms tiled quick. Jake worked on the fancy patterns in the shower and around the tub. It looks so amazing. I don't know how he figures out all those tricky pieces. I just cut the tiles for him and watched him do his magic.

Mud/laundry room

Master bath

Master shower

I'm grateful to have such a wonderful husband. Jake is great at everything he does. He's so sweet to me and always makes sure I'm happy. I can always tell how much he loves me. Building this house has been very stressful at times and Jake just keeps us going. We're almost finished. Probably around 20 days or so we will be in! Crazy to think, but we're rounding up all final work. We are estimating our move in 3 weeks.

Skipping Ahead

The house is almost finished! The floors and cabinets are about all that is left. Jake is going to Alaska for a bit on Monday and he will finish the rest of the house when he comes home. Then we will be ready to move. Our contractor will finish the exterior while Jake is gone. But see our progress? It looks so different every day.

 

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In the meantime...Jake's mom made us the most beautiful blanket, just because. Isn't she sweet?! She is such a seamstress. It is so beautiful, I don't know how she finds time. I love it on our bed.

A picture says a thousand words

It really looks like a house... our house! The progress is amazing. I can't take pictures and update the blog fast enough to keep up. Every day something new is in and it looks different. These a few of my pictures since Pioneer Day.

I helped Jake sheet the trusses before everyone came to help put them on. The crane came a couple weekends ago and the Kendal boys again and James to set the trusses. It was crazy watching everything happen so high. I still can't believe no one got hurt. Amy and I threw the boys anything they needed while they balanced on top of the walls.

Pioneer Day

This was probably the best pioneer day ever! Jake's awesome buddies came up to help frame the house and they worked like lightning. I have never seem such team work. We were even lucky enough to have overcast skies the whole day. It seemed like the perfect day. Here's what we started with and then the finished product by the next afternoon. They had fun working together and hanging out and I loved every moment, seeing wall by wall turn into my beautiful home!
Here's the dream team on the second morning.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Aren't these guys amazing? Jake and I couldn't be more appreciative. We love this time in our life and couldn't do it without all the help we've been given. Thanks Leon, Miles, Juck, Andrew, Chris, Jaren for the awesome work this weekend!

This weekend we'll be working on the trusses for the roof.

Starting a New Life

With Jake out of school and being the handy man he is, we decided to put his skills to our own use. We're taking advantage of the tax credit from the government and building a house! We pondered on many different lots and locations but finally decided a few weeks ago on this beautiful lot up against the east mountains in Smithfield. The house plans are just the way we want them, we couldn't ask for anything more. It's our dream home!

The progress has been quick paced. They started digging a week ago on Thursday and look how far they've come! I can't make color decisions fast enough.

 

It's a very exciting and STRESSFUL process. But we love looking forward to the finish, which will probably be by the end of October. Jake and a few buddies will be framing it in a week. Jake will also do the roof. And we... mostly Jake will do the floors and finish work and cabinets when he gets home from Alaska.

More exciting news.... I got the job at the hospital! It was nice to have my first day yesterday. We have so much to be grateful for, especially all the people helping us.