The Calk Family: What a difference 45 days makes! (Construction Post)

We have been so busy over the past 45 days that I don't really know where to begin, so I guess I'll start with the early January stuff and try to get caught up as fast as possible!

I might have to touch on some things that happened in December that I didn't ever post, but I will get those in when I can.

Some of you may remember me mentioning an addition to our house. What started out as an idea for an addition to just add a master bedroom and bath, so that we could convert our current master bedroom to a dining room, ended up turning into a much larger project... don't they always though? My fear was that if we only added one room and a bathroom, down the road we would regret not adding one extra bedroom while we had the roof off, etc. My dad and Bonham drew up the plans and as they were working on it, my dad suggested adding another bedroom. Well, since we're doing that, let's throw in another bathroom too! Haha!

We hoped to start this project last July, but had the hardest time getting framers to do the work. And then with George's birth so close, we put the breaks on. We got back on track in December and we "broke ground" on January 1st! Here are some pictures from the construction:

Let the demolition begin!

This was our back porch

It was cold outside, but the kids wanted to watch

Barrett enjoyed climbing on the torn up cement

and the HUGE pile of dirt

After the porch was gone, the concrete guys came in and set the forms:

It was exciting to see the concrete truck pull up

They poured the concrete and removed the forms the same day - it seemed to be going SO fast

Because our room is being converted, we've moved into the living room...

The lumber company showed up

And later that day, the decking started

I believe that it was on this day that I looked at Bonham and said, "It's really happening!"

And then he said, "That or we will have a really nice porch!"

The next day... the walls started going up!

The weather was kind of yucky for a few days, so the framers didn't work full days

As they were working on the roof, one of them fell through the ceiling... Bonham sent me this picture while I was at work. I told him that he'd better clean that up before Barrett sees it and freaks out! Barrett was so nervous about touching the pink insulation and being itchy.

This is not normally how Barrett's room was set up, but Bonham had moved some things for the workers to get to electrical outlets.

Later that day.... all nice and clean!

It's coming along... The kids are inspecting the progress!

I almost couldn't back up far enough to get the whole front of the house in the picture

These pictures are dark, but here is my dad, Ray and my husband, Bonham in the to-be-dining room and the door going into the to-be master bedroom

converting the window to a door....

While we were having the to-be-dining room worked on, everything from our old Master bedroom and office came into our kitchen/living room/entry. Yikes!

Siding is going up...

This floor will be raised...

This used to be a window, but is now a door...

This window will be moved up to match the new Master window and so that it won't sit on the floor

Shingles for the addition to be roofed:

Jayna's old room has been used for storage and traffic for workers....

When the addition is done, this will be the kids' den

Jayna has been sleeping in Barrett's room for now

Showing us where they want their beds put in their new rooms

Kids enjoying the view outside from their new rooms!

This was our bedroom, but will now be the dining room and office

Floor has been raised...

Roofers...

Before the siding was put up in the front...

They were able to salvage some of the siding from the west side of the house (it's the grey stuff)

Bonham framed up our shower...

This is my brother, Jeff... he works for my dad as an HVAC technician, but he used to do electrical work, so we call on him for this kind of stuff. It's good to know people in high places (on ladders)